‘The full spectrum’ is about pupils who live with aspersers syndrome and provides information, views, suggestions, comments and feedback on this special education need.
What is Asperger’s Syndrome?
Dr Hans Asperger, an Austrian paediatrician, originally described Asperger’s Syndrome in 1944. The syndrome has more recently been classified as an autistic spectrum disorder.Children and adults with Aspergers’s Syndrome have an intellectual capacity within the normal range, but have a distinct differences from their fellow pupils as well. These include:- Read the rest…
Strategies for teachers
1. Difficulties with language
* tendency to make irrelevent comments, to interrupt, talk on one topic and to talk over the speech of others.
* difficulty understanding complex language, following directions and understanding intent of words with multiple meanings
Related teaching strategies:-
What is Asperger’s syndrome?
Asperger’s syndrome(AS) is thought to be a form of autism, and children with AS share many of the characteristics of autism, although in a milder form. Asperger’s syndrome will affect each pupil in different ways and these include:
General Behaviours
This syndrome is characterized by a sort of “swiss cheese” type of development: that is, some things are learned age-appropriately, while other things may lag behind or be absent. Furthermore, children may have skills years ahead of normal development (for example, a child may understand complex mathematics principles, yet not be able to remember to bring their homework home).
Students will often have difficulty starting and completing homework when they do not understand the instructions or the purpose of the work set. This may be interpreted as deliberate refusal. It is essential to explain visually why homework is important. The ability to transfer skills from school to home can also be a problem.
| Difficulty | Suggested strategies |
| Difficulty starting and completing homework |
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| Not getting information into the homework diary |
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| Not completing homework correctly |
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| Organising their own time, eg spending too long on homework in order to get it finished or being unable to pace themselves for long-term projects |
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See Definition below.
Some tell tale signs:-
School Age Development -
1. Fluent speaker but only wants to to talk about things important to him
2. Doesn’t properly take turns in conversation
3. Doesn’t exchange eye contact or facial expression properly
4. Has problems following topic work in class
5. Sounds like a grown up sometimes/often
6. Doesn’t ask teacher for help in class
7. Appears rude or can say things that embarrass you
8. Obsessional questioning. Answers don’t satisy him
The following short story was written by Rachel in year 7. The first of many we hope!
I found out that I had Autism when I was only 5 years of age. My mum noticed something was different and she did some research about it. After that she discovered I was on the autistic spectrum.I was surprised but at least I knew why I was different. I only started talking when I was three, before then people thought I was deaf but I wasn’t I was taking it all in. When I was younger my parents were advised to send me to a special school. But they didn’t. I am so glad.With the right help and understanding my life becomes easier.
The Escape to Planet Riglaan Part I
Ever since my childhood, I had suspected that this planet wasn”t where I belonged. In fact, my fellow Aspies and I were all trapped in a world where people were judgmental and least understanding. The coldness and indifference were through the roof.
My name was Sabra Douglass and I lived with a family that was far more normal than I was. They constantly went shopping and no wonder why we were in piling debt. They also went to the movie theater to watch lewd comedies and horrednous action movies. As for me, I prefer to watch kids” movies even at my age. All the girls wore expensive makeup that could clog pores until there was an implosion. My little brother and dad only thought of sports and earning money, like those were the only means in life. My two bigger sisters date as many hansom guys as they could find, but so for I was the only one who didn”t want a romantic partner. Strange, wasn”t it?
The following poem wasn’t written by an Olchfa pupil but will hopefully inspire some of you to put pen to paper and write a poem yourself or a short story about your experiences and living with aspergers. Introspection
By Adrian Flynn
Locked in a body that knows how to function,
This mind knows the rules, but not how to speak.
Rehearsed interaction is laboured but managed,
Learning language and actions, but still feeling meek. Read the rest…
