Info required on Aspergers Syndrome

[JulieF]

I would like to read up a little on this condition before a 9 year old comes to our classes. His mum is bringing a leaflet in but are there any useful website or specific hints on dealing with this condition. Apparently he is very bright but has problems socially.

What type of class are you running?

Drama, singing and dance. He has been in amateur shows before.

Um well others here have higher functioning children- it would be worth asking his mum if there are any peculiarities of his but otherwise:

make sure he always knows what is going to hapen- don't hcange things at the last minute. if you have to then take him aside and explain before hand.

Don;t get annoyed if he corrects you (difficult I know) on something or gets picky about small things.

If he has to escape because noise is too much let him have a breather

This is quite a good link- and the bbc health pages are good

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3106599.stm

Watch him with the other children as well- he may be upset by banter- so may not understand when people are joking.

I'm sure others can help you more

my ds1- Aspergers (10yrs) when in the school panto choir last year- said that the bright lights annoyed him and that if they flashed it made him forget what he was singing- Aspie kids often find it really hard to 'do 2 things at once' hence the probs with eye contact- he may appear to be looking away and therefore you will think he isn't listening- but he will have took every word in- however if you insist that he looks at you he will be literally 'looking' at you rather than listening.may also use a rather 'monotone' voice and appear to ramble on- but i expect that in drama may also be a great 'mimic' as my ds can reproduce many accents and 'catch' phrases of many tv characters...and in addition they often have fantastic memories...and in my sons case -he learns 'lines' sooooo quickly...for example was crazy about a playstation game called spyro a while back....and hasn't played it for months....yet today he 'recited' a dialogue of one of the characters!
That reminds me.....they often have a 'special interest' which they will 'need' to share...this can be a pain if it's not relevent or 'boring' to the others....however you will get the most out of the child if you can incorporate his 'interest' into the lesson....that's where your creativity comes in! An example may be that he may love drawing or computers...so you could get him to design a programme for the latest production- or if like my son he's into anything that spins or lights up....then he will be a wizz at lighting up the stage!

Most important....is that with autism there is such a wide spectrum - that this child may share none of my son's characteristics!!!! but if you read threads by JimJams,Davros,Maryz ....and loads more who have posted reqularily on the 'special needs' threads then you will hopefully find things described which 'fit'!!!!

At 10 my son provides me with a lot of fun....at 7 he was VERY hard work....so age can be a factor!

JULIEF.....having had a particularily bad day today....he had his glasses broken- turned out that rather than let the 'bully' knock them off his face (which he said would have meant they get scratched) he removed them and they got squashed instead as he was pushed on the playground floor....the reason i am telling you this JULIEF is that i wish that someone at my son's school would take an interest in my son like you are with this lad ....and that he is a very lucky boy to have you!

Mrsforgetful, how awful! I don't know what to suggest as this is way out of my experience but surely this shouldn't be allowed to happen to any child, never mind one who will find it extra difficult to deal with? I'd like to box that bully's ears!

Many thanks there have been some useful tips here, some of which tie in with things his mum has said.

Mrs Forgetful, your poor son, kids can be so cruel and it sounds like the school needs to get their supervision sorted out.

mrs forgetful give him hug from me. Are there any tips on the NAS site about dealing with bullying and schools?

JulieF- I have posted this on education as well, but in the middle on the night on Sunday/Monday (3am I think) there is a programme on autism/AS aimed at teachers. It has been filmed by Luke Jackson who has AS. It may be a good introduction form the horses mouth so to speak.

JimJams- do you know what Jax's newest book is all about? Apparently was launched yesterday? Is the tv prog the one we all saw a few weeks back? I'm still desparate that they do a whole series - she was amazing and i got so much strenght from that programme- the bit that i'm hanging on to at the moment is all he 'mini muddles'- (and her sat on the floor amid them sorting them out!) around the house - but order in the living room and kitchen- just like me-and the hiding food away from those it will harm.....just like me! (i still have to hide scissors to!)

JulieF : I'd recommend a book i've borrowed :

Social Awareness Skills For Children
Author: Marianna Csoti ISBN:1 84310 003 7
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley

It covers loads of situations and how to handle them- what struck me is that if you doing drama you could use the 'rolr plays' included as 'improvisations'... every child would benefit- not just 'special' kids

EVERYONE ELSE- I'd recommend this to anyone who uses SOCIAL STORIES - I've used the section on MEALTIMES loads with ds2....I think it could even be adapted to those too young for social stories

p.s ...i think this publisher is FANTASTIC!

And if you join Aut-UK you can get 10% off Jessica's books Here: lists.autismisanotherworld.com/mailman/listinfo/autism-uk

Aut-uk used to get a bit heated, but not any more- its friendly again now.

I think her book is just about her life! I missed her on GMTV yesterday morning- my internet was down so I didn't get the reminder to watch.

The title is 'Multicoloured mahem' (according to another mumsnet user!) I absolutely love that title!!!! I think i'll 'pinch' it to use as our house name,email address, and sign all our xmas cards with it!
Ms Jackson!!!!Did you know you are such an inspiration? Thank god i saw THE t.v programme!

Jimjams-Thanks for that info on the discount for the books- that will really help- i'm planning to use some of ds1's DLA money to get several of the books- what i want to to is have a shelf of Autie type books so that i can dip in and out whenever i want- and also incase of the remote chance that someone actually does visit us.... maybe they'll be tempted too!