ASDat...Supporting Students with Asperger Syndrome and Attention Deficit and

Hyperactivity Disorder. Annie Clements

Thought for the day.........

“You can not change someone’s Asperger's Syndrome, but you can change the way in which the individual is able to cope with it.”

Dr Luke Beardon

“Autistic people have to understand scientifically what non-autistic people already understand

instinctively. Therefore skills usually learnt indirectly need to be taught directly.”Marc Segar-April 1997

The things we do automatically, do not come naturally to people with AS, for example making eye

contact with a person when talking to them.

Sensory issuesThey can be hyper or hypo sensitive to specific

sensory experiencesThis can lead to problems in everyday lifeThey can be sensitive to sounds, textures, taste,

lighting, smell, touch & even colourIf a person with AS has a sensory overload this may

cause them to shut down

Emotional & sensory balanceWhen we are balanced,

we can think, plan, listen, learn, make choices and handle anxiety better. When we are flooded this is all lost, and when we are in denial, we spend all our time trying to control how we feel and eventually it explodes.

Who is affected by Asperger Syndrome?There are approx 1 in

100 people diagnosed with ASD in the UK

Within Asperger Syndrome there are 15 : 1 males to females

However, there is a growing understanding that AS in girls is being missed.

As many as 40% of anorexic girls may have AS

People with AS come from all nationalities, cultures, social backgrounds and religions

There appears to be a genetic disposition within families towards ASD

What is Asperger SyndromeIt is an autistic

spectrum disorderIt affects the way

people make sense of the world, process information and relates to other people.

It was first recognised by Hans Asperger in 1944

They have difficulties/differences in 3 main areas (triad of impairment)

SocialisationCommunicationImagination

Something to remember...AS is often referred to a ‘mild autism’. However, this

is not the case. Autism is a highly complex disorder. Someone with AS can struggle enormously with understanding day to day life. It is not something to be taken lightly.

However, with the right support and encouragement people with AS can lead full and independent lives

However, if you have met one person with AS that is all you have done – met one person – every person has different needs.

Barriers to coming into the settingJourneyRemembering thingsWeatherOther studentsBoring day aheadWorried about something happening laterThings at home being disorganisedAnxiety?????????????????????????????Not knowing an alternative

Support within education..Students may experience higher levels of stress and

anxiety than other students. The things that generate that stress and anxiety may be different than for the average student population.

E.g. They may seem unconcerned about a particular assignment, but may experience high levels of anxiety if changes are made to the timetable

Remember environment issuesThink about sensory issues –

Light ColourSmellNoise

Help in lessons....Help to identify the best seating position due to their

sensory difficultiesCopies of notes/overheads due to verbal processing

difficulties and visual learning style. Also they may have difficulties with note taking/hand writing which means they take longer to take notes or struggle to know which notes to take. Recording the lecture can help.

Guidance about when and how to ask questionsUse clear and unambiguous language.

Think about skills neededTeamworkNote takingResearchPlanningOrganisation

Continued....Try not to go too fast!!!!Be clear about and write down all expectations and

deadlines.Advance notice of any changesWrite down meeting times and venues, and what

they need to bring and what will be expected of them.

Coursework...This may need to be clearly detailed about what is

required, when, how and in what format. Students may need longer deadlines, or may need help to plan and manage their workloads.

Exam support...Preparation for the change in routine that the exam will

involveExtra time in the examA specific format – e.g different coloured paper or overlaySpecialist equipment e.g laptopSeparate room due to sensitivity issuesA scribeA question written in clear language or someone to clarify

the questionA prompt to remind to move onto the next question(taken from Skill: Nat bur for students with disabilities)

Just to recap...The skills and strengths of people with AS need to

be valuedSupport needs of each individual will varyThey may struggle with the social demands of

everyday lifeYou may need to be flexible and imaginative in

working to identify how best to meet their learning needs

Don’t assume students will automatically know or understand what is expected of them

ADHDAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder –

HyperkenitivityMost commonly diagnosed behavioural disorder3 – 5 % school age children diagnosedNeurologically – based disability

Main featuresUnable to maintain attentionUnable to think before saying or doing somethingUnable to control impulsivityUnable to control the amount of physical activity that

is appropriate to the situation

Things that can help...You need to create a structure environment

clear expectations PredictabilityShort work periodsLoads of positive re-enforcement and feedbackMAKE IT INTERESTING!! (TO THEM!!)Avoid multi-faceted projects, single tasking works

bests

Behaviourally...They need support to ‘slow down’ They need people to believe in them in spite of the problems

they can create around them They find it difficult to help themselves and work through

alternative more appropriate/positive ‘choices’They may not have had any sleep so be aware of thatThey need more food and water Boundaries are really importantThey may well have heard a lot of negative language about

themselvesPeer pressure/expectation is a huge issue

Emotional & sensory balanceWhen we are balanced,

we can think, plan, listen, learn, make choices and handle anxiety better. When we are flooded this is all lost, and when we are in denial, we spend all our time trying to control how we feel and eventually it explodes.

Remember home .....Everyone can exhaustedIt can be very negativeReal extension of teenage issuesIt can be present in parents and siblings

How to reach usAnnie ClementsASDat... 33 Richmond Road, Ipswich IP1 4DWEmail – ASDatac@aol.comMobile – 07794 086316