Homework - does this seem reasonable?

[schoolworry]

Ds (ASD) given a project where you have to consider theories about a topic. The skills required include 'interpretation and empathy' and the work will be graded accordingly. He has no empathy so should I mention something to the teacher? All staff are supposed to be fully aware of his difficulties.

[mymatemax]

encourage him to do it in his own way, write his own opinion. Sometimes a slightly less conventional take on things is a good thing.

[mymatemax]

Sorry i meant to add, even if his opinion is "I dont really have an opinion about the theory becuase etc etc" At least it shows he has had a go at the homework even if he is not able to expand on it IYKWIM

[ouryve]

mymatemax - that reminds me of that lad with AS who was on telly recently - when asked to discuss the humour in a passage for GCSE English simply wrote that there was no humour in it at all!

Anyhow, with this sort of open ended homework, I break down a task for DS1 by asking him pertinent questions - I submit these with his responses.

I don;t know how old your DS is, though, schoolworry so if it was for coursework, I would expect the teacher to do this if it was necessary, as prompts like this can potentially affect the final marks.

[mariamma]

They don't want 'real' empathy, they want whatever empathetic response the mark-sheet specifies. Which is usually to demonstrate (say) that you understand a 1930s German housewife might have thought the Nazis were likely to make the country prosperous.

AS might actually become an advantage if he learns the rules of historical or literature empathy.

[schoolworry]

Thanks all. He's not due exams for a while yet yet so I know I shouldn't worry too much. Will sit down at the weekend and try to get him to make an effort