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School Concerns for Students with Aspergers and HFA

Just as moms and dads have difficulties in identifying the early signs of Aspergers and High Functioning Autism (HFA), teachers also may be uncertain of key features to address educationally.

During the individual development of the child, moms and dads and teachers must take notice as skills blossom or fail to develop as expected. Many kids suspected of Aspergers and HFA are brought to the psychiatry, psychology, or early childhood departments of pediatric medical centers. Other kids with Aspergers in the U.S. are spotted as having unique delays by child find screenings and soon receive pull-out or part-time programs for preschool kids with developmental delays. They frequently require speech/language, occupational, and physical therapy interventions. They are monitored for further crystallization of symptoms. Frequently, behavior management programs and parent support programs are employed.

There are many jurisdictions, however, where these early assessment and intervention opportunities are not in place. Early on, kids suspected of delays might be classified in general as having pervasive developmental disorders, an umbrella category for many of the varieties of autism. They may be seen as multiply handicapped or multiply disabled. They may be placed in a diagnostic center or in a diagnostic mode while they are being monitored. Schools are some of the best laboratories for differentiating appropriate classification schemes, as the strengths and weaknesses crystallize in the child’s attempts to absorb, adapt to, and master the world of learning.

Thousands of children face life with Aspergers (a form of autism that affects a child's language and social skills). Here are 10 of the most common school concerns faced by students with Aspergers:
  1. need for predictability
  2. problems with abstract reasoning
  3. problems with anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation
  4. problems with attention, organization, and other areas of executive functioning
  5. problems with language
  6. problems with motor issues including written production
  7. problems with ritualistic, repetitive, or rigid behavior
  8. problems with sensory hyper- or hypo-sensitivity
  9. problems with social interactions
  10. very focused areas of interest and expertise

Children with Aspergers have a restricted range of interests that can take unusual or eccentric forms. For example, some may be interested in unusual things, such as washing machines, bus timetables, or subway maps. Although their obsessive interests may be similar to the interests of other children, they are unlike other children because their restricted interest is the only activity in which they participate. Their rigidity is often exhibited as an insistence on a specific order of events, a compulsion to complete what was started, an insistence on rules, a difficulty with transitions, or a fear that is based on a single experience. They do not seem to recognize that there are times when rules can be renegotiated, bent, or broken. Because they may have difficulty predicting the future, insisting that things happen in a certain order can be comforting to them.

Many children with Aspergers have additional psychiatric diagnoses, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when they are children and depression or anxiety when they are adolescents and young adults. Even though children with Aspergers often lack the emotional resources to cope with the demands of the classroom, they do not always demonstrate stress through their tone of voice or body posture. Therefore, their inner turmoil may escalate to a point of crisis before others recognize their discomfort.

Teachers should be aware that changes in behavior—such as greater levels of disorganization, inattentiveness, and isolation—may be indicative of anxiety or depression. Because these children typically have difficulty identifying their own emotions, they may not be able to acknowledge that they are sad or depressed. Teachers need to be aware of the signs of agitation to initiate interventions to avert an emotional or neurological crisis.

Teachers can use the following strategies to help students with Aspergers cope more effectively with their daily social environment:
  • Create a safe place for a student to go when he or she feels a need to regain control. Similarly, consider safe escapes—for example, sending a student on a simple errand—that remove the student from difficult situations in a non-punitive manner.
  • Limit opportunities for obsessive talk about special interests by providing a specific time of day for this behavior. Use the student’s fixations as a method to broaden his or her repertoire of interests.
  • Provide a predictable and safe environment that avoids things that could trigger rage or a meltdown in students. Because a student or group of students can be a trigger for this behavior, it may be wise to limit interaction.
  • Set up consistent routines with clear expectations throughout the day. Warn the student of upcoming transitions and try to avoid surprises.
  • Teach an appropriate replacement behavior when extinguishing an inappropriate behavior. For example, teach the student to engage in such appropriate waiting behavior as counting slowly to 10 rather than screaming to gain the teacher’s attention.
  • Teach anger-control skills.
  • Teach cause-and-effect concepts.
  • Use humor to diffuse tension.

Students with Aspergers generally have average to above-average intelligence and frequently have good rote memory skills. However, they may lack higher-level thinking and comprehension skills and have poor problem-solving skills. Because many can decode words well, their impressive vocabularies may give a false impression that they understand everything they say or read. Teachers can support academic progress in students with Aspergers by using the following strategies:
  • Shorten or modify their written assignments and consider allowing them to use a word processor or computer.
  • Provide visual schedules so they know what is happening throughout the school day
  • Link their obsessive interest in a single subject to another subject that is being studied in class
  • Capitalize on their exceptional memory skills by providing them with opportunities to demonstrate their factual knowledge in class

The Complete Guide to Teaching Students with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even when my son was diagnosed with Aspergers and we implemented IEP and 504 Plans, it was and still is, hard for his teacher's and most of the school staff to identify Aspergers issues regarding his education as well as social being.

Anonymous said...

My son is being tested comprehensively for it thursday..im frightened for him. Not because i wish it wasnt happening but because of other kids treating him like an outcast bcause hes different. His kindergarten teacher brought it to our attention a couple of wks ago & im unsure of what itll mean for him! -Charity

Anonymous said...

Checking into this for my Merrie. She wants to stay in public school right now but is struggling with the girls social skills and feels left out. Her maturity level is about at a 7 year old and girls are growing up so fast. Please pray that God will lead me to give Merrie the very best for what He Knows is best for her.

Anonymous said...

This is EXACTLY why I've started homeschooling my son. Things go to the point where I was having DAILY conversations with his principal and teacher before I made the decision to pull him out. Now ... he's learning things easier and actually RETAINING what he's learning.

Anonymous said...

Charity ... feel free to friend me. I have been and still am where you are now. Having my son properly diagnosed has made a world of difference for us. Mainly because .. we FINALLY have answers to a few of the questions.

Anonymous said...

I think that acceptance and education depends on the school and the teachers. My daughters last school was fantastic. She was on that honor role every year, she had so many friends. The new school has been horrible. She's been bullied everyday and most of the teachers don't want to deal with her..... Even with an iep. Because of this she is struggling with her grades. I'm hoping next year when she gets to high school it will be better. One thing I can tell you James it will be a challenge but it can be done with the right advocate representing you.

Anonymous said...

Me having Aspergers dealt with this kind of issue before and lack of acceptance from teachers & counselors. But on the plus side of it, graduated from High School, and got a diploma. But had been in a couple of Special Ed classes of course to help me. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

my son thomas was diagnosed with global developmental delay at an early age which means he is delayed in all ereas and he has the mental age of a 3 year old and is nearly 7. as it says in the document that this does happen but because of this it is really difficult to get a diagnosis because my son has been referred for a assesment by school because they have recognised with myself that there is more to my sons behaviour than his diagnosis at the moment. thomas was seen on 2 ocasions at the clinic for just 45 min per session and they used that and said he didnt need a proper assesment because he already has a diagnosis and they have to take that into account but neither me or school was happy about this so school helped by getting him a mental health specalist for a second oppinion and she too agrees that there is more to his behavioures so she has now referred him to hopefully get a proper diagnosis. i think is is discusting that we have to fight so much for our children to get the help and support that they need and its so emotionaly draining to be told all the time by the specalists that it looks like hes def got aspergers or hes def got all the sighns and then for them to keep chaning there mind. they shouldn't say anything to parents untill they are shure it is rong and should be stopped.

Anonymous said...

We have decided to remove our son from public school and homeschooling him beginning next year. Despite have received intensive early intervention and making tremendous progress, the school environment is too socially distractive and destructive for him. Rather than spending all of our energy fighting a school system that is intent on NOT providing services, we have decided to focus our energy in a positve manner and give our son what he needs. I truly hope that there will come a day when the needs of our children can be met in the school system.

Anonymous said...

I could really use someone to talk to about this. Do you think one of you could friend me on fbook or write me? My 5yr old is going to a therapist in the morning I know she has aspergers it just all adds up. Is anyone here on fbook? Im kristen moyer troxell id appreciate some advice thank u

Anonymous said...

Dear Mark:

Your site has given me hope and insight. I am wondering if you might be able to help me with a dilemma.

My 12 year old son has recently been diagnosed c/ ADD, high functioning aspergers and he has tested as gifted, his scores are in the top 1%.

I have not been able to get this kid to school, he luckily was in an online program, because of high anxiety r/t school kids, fear of being bullied, stomach aches, headaches. It has been a nightmare. I could barely get him out of the house to play baseball.

I have two choices for my son and me. Move to be with family, a large extended family, great support, the village empire approach. However, the schools are terrible and no money to support Special Ed, no gifted classes. Or I can take him to a city that has a school that seems to really understand what is going on for my son. They can integrate him when ready or have quiet places for him to work and have some "sensory" breaks. He can excelerate to meet his needs. But no familial back up.

I am so confused as to what is the best choice for my son. I see his "specialness" as a gift and want to get him to where he can shine and come out again, so he feels safe to work through the anxiety. The crazy family, with all the kids, really has helped him to act like himself again. It is a beautiful thing. Do I follow the education or the support??

Thank you for your thoughts. I need to make a decision and am boondoggled.

Mark said...

RE: Do I follow the education or the support??

Definitely education. Aspergers kids are typically not that interested in the social/familial aspects of life, but they definitely struggle (and have significant life-long issues) when put in an education setting that ultimately destroys their sense of self-worth.

Unknown said...

My son excels in school... We have far more issues with the lack of predictability in other settings that are less structured.

My child has been rejected by his peers, ridiculed and bullied !!!

Social rejection has devastating effects in many areas of functioning. Because the ASD child tends to internalize how others treat him, rejection damages self-esteem and often causes anxiety and depression. As the child feels worse about himself and becomes more anxious and depressed – he performs worse, socially and intellectually.

Click here to read the full article…

How to Prevent Meltdowns in Children on the Spectrum

Meltdowns are not a pretty sight. They are somewhat like overblown temper tantrums, but unlike tantrums, meltdowns can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. When it starts, the Asperger's or HFA child is totally out-of-control. When it ends, both you and your child are totally exhausted. But... don’t breathe a sigh of relief yet. At the least provocation, for the remainder of that day -- and sometimes into the next - the meltdown can return in full force.

Click here for the full article...

Parenting Defiant Teens on the Spectrum

Although Aspergers [high-functioning autism] is at the milder end of the autism spectrum, the challenges parents face when disciplining a teenager on the spectrum are more difficult than they would be with an average teen. Complicated by defiant behavior, the teen is at risk for even greater difficulties on multiple levels – unless the parents’ disciplinary techniques are tailored to their child's special needs.

Click here to read the full article…

Older Teens and Young Adult Children with ASD Still Living At Home

Your older teenager or young “adult child” isn’t sure what to do, and he is asking you for money every few days. How do you cut the purse strings and teach him to be independent? Parents of teens with ASD face many problems that other parents do not. Time is running out for teaching their adolescent how to become an independent adult. As one mother put it, "There's so little time, yet so much left to do."

Click here to read the full article…

Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism

Two traits often found in kids with High-Functioning Autism are “mind-blindness” (i.e., the inability to predict the beliefs and intentions of others) and “alexithymia” (i.e., the inability to identify and interpret emotional signals in others). These two traits reduce the youngster’s ability to empathize with peers. As a result, he or she may be perceived by adults and other children as selfish, insensitive and uncaring.

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to read the full article...

Highly Effective Research-Based Parenting Strategies for Children with Asperger's and HFA

Become an expert in helping your child cope with his or her “out-of-control” emotions, inability to make and keep friends, stress, anger, thinking errors, and resistance to change.

Click here for the full article...