My ASD Child

Kids with Asperger’s (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA): are easily distracted by internal stimuli are often off task are very disorganized have difficulty figuring out what is relevant, so attention is focused on irrelevant stimuli have difficulty learning in a group situation have difficulty sustaining focus on classroom activities (often it is not that the attention is poor but, rather, that the focus is "odd") tend to withdraw into complex inner worlds in a manner much more intense than is typical of daydreaming Programming Suggestions for Teachers: 1. Work out a nonverbal signal with the AS or HFA youngster (e.g., a gentle pat on the shoulder) for times when he is not paying attention. 2. Actively encourage the youngster to leave her inner thoughts and fantasies behind and refocus on the real world. This is a constant battle, as the comfort of that inner world is much more attractive than anything in real life. For these “special needs” kids, e