Accommodating Autism After School Mary Roth, Lead Ally Autism Society of Indiana .

Accommodating Autism After

SchoolMary Roth, Lead Ally

Autism Society of Indiana www.inautism.org


When you hear When you hear the word the word “autism”…“autism”…what do you think about?

Rain Man?

Child in corner, rocking, banging his head?


But do you also But do you also think about…think about…

•Albert Einstein?

•Mozart?

•Bill Gates?

•Temple Grandin?


Dr. Temple Dr. Temple GrandinGrandin


What is Autism?What is Autism?

•Characterized by three things: deficits in communication and social skills, as well as unusual behaviors

•Neurological Disorder (not mental)•Lifelong Disorder (not simply childhood)•No known cause•No known cure


Autism does not Autism does not discriminatediscriminate

•Any socio-economic background

•Either gender (but boys are diagnosed ~4:1 more than girls)

•Any race / religion

•You can not visually tell if someone has autism



AutisAutism m

is ais a

SpectSpectrumrum

DisorDisorderder


CommunicationCommunication

•Delayed response time

•Acting as if they cannot hear

•Echolalia – repeating what they hear

•Nonverbal

•Inability to understand idioms or slang

•Receptive or expressive speech issues


Social SkillsSocial Skills

•Little to no eye contact

•Inability to read facial expressions or verbal emotions

•Difficulty with social situations

•Poor conversation skills


BehaviorBehavior•Insistence on sameness, difficulty in transitioning

•Stimming (spinning, flapping, rocking)

•Other repetitive movements or speech

•Sensory issues

•Perceived aloofness – prefers to be alone

•Perseveration on a particular topic (Asperger’s)

•Visual learners


Other Health Other Health IssuesIssues•Intellectual impairment (~70% of cases)•Seizures (~40% of cases)•Sleeping issues•Eating issues•Ear infections•Respiratory issues•Allergies•Dual diagnosis with a mental health illness


Challenges for Challenges for IndividualsIndividuals•Don’t “fit in”•People think they’re “weird”•No friends•No romantic relationships•Difficulty in finding and sustaining employment•Difficulty with self-help skills•Daily living tasks do not come naturally


Challenges for Challenges for FamiliesFamilies•Parents blame themselves

•Society blames parents

•Grandparents don’t understand

•Siblings feel left out, carted around, responsible

•Financial burden

•Stress on marriage

•Embarrassed – don’t want to tell anyone


Challenges for Challenges for Public EducatorsPublic Educators•Behaviors can be challenging but must be addressed

•Learning must take place in the least restrictive environment (with support)

•Article 7 – Indiana’s Special Education Law – provides for an Individual Education Plan for every special needs student

•Parents are emotionally invested - success in school is extremely important for future success


Challenges for Challenges for After School After School ProvidersProviders•Obligation to make “reasonable accommodations”

•Staffing

•May be no formal support system or training (call Autism Society of Indiana!)

•Parent needs and expectations


Challenges during Challenges during EmergenciesEmergencies•People with autism may not self-identify

•First Responders are called in under times of additional physical and/or emotional stress

•Sirens, strobe lights, or crowds may trigger a negative sensory response

•Rooms may be equipped with extra security and window locks

•Restraint must be done extremely carefully in case the individual has positional asphyxia


Interventions and Interventions and TreatmentsTreatments•Therapy – Applied Behavior

Analysis (ABA), Occupational, Physical, Speech, Sensory, Hippo•Psychotherapy•Social skills classes, Lunch Buddies, eBuddies, Social Stories™, Video Self-Modeling•Educational, social, and behavioral accommodations•Biomedical interventions•Alternative interventions


Inclusion Process Inclusion Process - After School - After School ProgramProgram1.Parent application

2.Observe child if possible

3.Consult with classroom teacher if possible

4.Obligation to provide “reasonable accommodations”

5.Have supports in place the first day

6.Be flexible if necessary


Application Ideas – Application Ideas – After School ProgramAfter School Program

•Assure confidentiality and discretion•Ask for pertinent information about the students' needs. Ask for what accommodations they receive in school.•Remember that the diagnosis is not as important as what the parent feels they need•Ask about special dietary needs •Educate and train service providers (we can help!)


Social Social AccommodationsAccommodations

•Explain changes in routine

•Preview transitions

•Support during group activities – help the student find a buddy or team. Two kids with Asperger’s Syndrome don’t always make a good team.

• Encourage other students to be kind


Educational Educational AccommodationsAccommodations

•Preferential seating

•Visual learning - show them how to do something, don't just tell them

•Small group instruction

•Check for understanding, avoid ending with “OK?”

•Wait for responses


Interacting with Interacting with Someone with Someone with AutismAutism•Plenty of personal space

•Don’t insist on eye contact•Don’t try to stop repetitive movements•Use a flat tone with little emotion•Ask “Yes” or “No” questions•Use simple phrases, avoid slang or idioms •Avoid or ending with “OK?”•Wait for responses


Behavioral Behavioral AccommodationsAccommodations•Establish a “safe” place•Select 3-5 key behaviors to address

•Safe hands and feet•Listening•Kind words

•Reward system•Higher staff ratio or even 1:1 aide•Visual supports


Visual SupportsVisual SupportsMany kids with autism are visual learners!•Timers•Picture or Written Schedule•Written Instructions/Expectations•Maps or Diagrams•Visual Cues or Reminders•Behavior Chart with Stickers•Social Stories™– Carol Gray•Video Self-Modeling – Scott Bellini


Visual Timer Visual Timer DevicesDevices


Behavior Behavior Modulation Modulation


The Incredible 5 The Incredible 5 Point ScalePoint ScaleDunn & CurtisDunn & Curtis


The Incredible 5 The Incredible 5 Point ScalePoint Scale


Customized Customized Visual SupportsVisual Supports•First… Then Board•First… Then… Next Board•Visual Schedule•Countdown Board•Your turn… My turn•Supports to carry around•Feedback log•Social Stories™


How to Get Visual How to Get Visual SupportsSupports•Special Education Teacher

•Autism Team Leader for the School DistrictIndiana Resource Center for Autism(812) 855-6508

•Easter Seals Crossroads Autism Family Resource Center317-466-1000

•HANDS in Autism Learning Lab317-274-2675


First… Then First… Then BoardBoardFirst snack, Then gameFirst game, Then home


First… Then… First… Then… Next BoardNext BoardFirst snack, Then game, Next home


Visual ScheduleVisual Schedule

1.Snack2.Games3.Work4.Club5.Home


Countdown BoardCountdown Board

Do 5 math problems, then time for coloring


Your Turn, My Your Turn, My TurnTurnGames

or

Conversation


Supports to carry Supports to carry aroundaroundBehavior reminders

Emotion cards

Rewards

I want…


Feedback LogFeedback Log

Completed by student or helper

Self-awareness

Useful communication to home


Reward ChartsReward Charts

Insert you body text or main points here


Social Stories Social Stories TMTM

•Customized for the child’s needs

•Text and pictures

•True statement

•Try statement

•Why statement


Social StorySocial StoryTMTM ExampleExample1.After my school day is over, I go to

an after school program.2.It’s fun! I play games, make friends,

and do my homework.3.When I play games, it’s important

to take turns nicely. Then kids will want to play with me again.

4.When I talk with adults at after school activities, it’s important to be respectful.

5.I need to treat the equipment carefully so it’s always there for the next day.

6.My friends at after school program like it when I ask how they are doing.

7.At the end of the day, I go home with my family.

8.I can have fun at home because my homework is done!


Getting Help with Getting Help with Social StoriesSocial Storieswww.thegraycenter.org

•Books by Carol Gray

•Special Education Teacher

•Autism Team Leader for the School DistrictIndiana Resource Center for Autism(812) 855-6508


Lending LibrariesLending Libraries

• Easter Seals CrossroadsAutism Family Resource Center317-466-1000

• CeDIR Library at IU Bloomington

(800) 437-7924

• Indiana Youth Institute Library(800) 343-7060


If All Else Fails…If All Else Fails…

•Try physical exertion – carrying or pushing heavy objects (recycling bin, stack of books, jug of water)

•Extra privileges for cooperation or if a break is needed – running errands, distributing mail

•Ask the parent!

Remember to maintain privacy


Autism Society of Autism Society of IndianaIndiana•Support all people affected by Autism in

Indiana•Conferences, Workshops, Trainings•Support Groups in several cities throughout Indiana•Indiana Allies•Indiana Comprehensive State Plan for Individuals with ASDs •Insurance•Family and Professional Partnerships•Community Resources•Screening•Access to Services•Transition•Indiana Partners in Justice


Ongoing Ongoing ActivitiesActivities•Annual Autism Expo (Carmel and Evansville)

•March 24 at The Fountains in Carmel

•April 21 at The Centre in Evansville

•Autism Awareness Month (April) activities•Autism Resource Network of Indiana (ARNI) www.arnionline.org•Facilitate the IIACC – Interagency Coordinating Council•Attend Autism Commission meetings


What can YOU What can YOU do?do?•Understand•Care•Ask if you can help•Support autism-related organizations•Talk about it – help reduce the stigma•Encourage•Hire


Autism Society of Autism Society of IndianaIndiana

13295 Illinois Street, Suite 213Carmel, IN 46032(800) 609-8449

www.inautism.orgwww.ARNIonline.org

Date post:	20-Jan-2016
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Accommodating Autism After School Mary Roth, Lead Ally Autism Society of Indiana .

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