Autism Reflection

In Chapter four it talks about how people that have autism are concrete thinkers. Before reading this chapter I was unaware of much of our social language is figurative. This is something that a child with autism would struggle with. The author makes a good point when saying “you wouldn’t dream of issuing instructions to you child in a foreign language but English can seem that way” ( Notbohm 66). This put it in to words how hard it can be for a child with autism to grasp the language people use. The author identifies four things that people need to watch out for when speaking with a child with autism. The first thing was to avoid idioms and cliches, so this means instead of saying “something smells fishy” try saying “this does seem right to me”. It gives a better and clearer

Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental disabilities with lifelong effects for the person. They are characterized by the repetitive behaviors exhibited by the client with social and communication deficits as well. Clients with ASDs have unusual abilities to learn, they struggle with paying attention and may react inappropriately with extreme tantrums to different sensations. ASDs include and are not limited to autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, atypical autism and Asperger disorder. Research of autism has been tracked by the Centers of Disease Control for prevalence since 1996, however tracking of developmental disabilities began in the 1980s.

Rita Pierson has discovered a way to incorporate positive reinforcement without setting her students up to fail. During her speech, she offers personal experience to help support her theory that acknowledging the correct answers over incorrect answer can lead to confidence building in a pupil’s self-esteem and creating a trustful human connection with the student. Rita offers a comfortable and wisdom providing argument wrapped in a presentation that shows passion for how teachers and student relationship should be. Her over all demeanor has the audience listening, learning and engaging as she shares her beliefs with a passionate smile on her face. To top off the speech she adds some comedic relief that encourages the connections with her listeners. The room was set in a lecture classroom like setting with Rita being highlighted. Everyone looking down at Rita as she presents her argument about human connections and positive criticism in today’s classrooms.

As a part of American culture, Autism Speaks has wriggled its way into the homes and mouths of families across the country, throwing massive amounts of money into fundraising, advocacy, research, and advertising every year. They are one of the most well-known, easily recognized organizations that advocates and raises awareness for the growing community of Autistic people in America. However, can the American people really be sure that Autism Speaks is going about it in the right way? With better, faster diagnoses, disability services, and more qualified specialists, why is Autism Speaks focusing tightly on researching connections and causes and cures, rather than channeling that money into assisting families of autistic children and adults? Why do some of the salaries of their board members exceed six figures, if they truly are a “non-profit” organization? Why do some of their ads treat autism like a man in an alleyway waiting to rob someone of their happiness, their money, and their “happy marriage?” (I am Autism). While millions of Americans believe that Autism Speaks is a worthy non-profit organization, the truth is that their spending is reckless and their treatment of autistic

Bondy, A. S., & Frost, L. A. (1994). The picture exchange communication system. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 9(3), 1-19.

I work at a school which implements P.B.I.S., also known as P.B.S. (Positive Behavior Supports). Our school P.B.I.S./P.B.S. goals include the following:

References Altern, J. (2006). Abnormally High Plasma Levels of Vitamin 6 in Children with Autism Not Taking Supplements Compared to Controls not Taking Supplements. US National Library of Medicine. National Institute of Health. Complement Med, 12 (1), 59-63.

Our first speaker for SW 325 The Helping Professional in Health Settings class was Sharon Boudreaux. Sharon has a Master of Arts in Teaching of special education. She focused on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for teaching children with autism and other forms of developmental setbacks. Sharon is currently the Director of Education Outreach at the Autism Center of North Mississippi (ACNM). The ACNM, which Sharon helped in creating and growing, provides educational and behavioral services to families and schools to help support children with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, learning difficulties, and challenging behaviors. The ACNM offers a multitude of services. Such services may include parent counseling, skill assessments, ABA therapy, services for schools, and parent and teacher training.

Autism Spectrum Disorder. ASD. Autism. When people hear any of these, it’s either “avoid that person at all costs”, “be super sympathetic”, “pretend to be their friend” or “I have no idea what that is”. My best friend and illustrator of my second book, has no idea what autism is. I tried explaining it to her. It’s very hard to explain how you feel, first of all. To put the fact that you are autistic makes it even more difficult. It doesn’t bother me too much that she doesn’t know. As long as she knows that I truly am a good person, we’re good.

Verney Road State School has effectively established the SWPBS and continues to develop and improve strategies in place to ensure a school wide culture that promotes positive behavior. The PBS Implemenation Team at Verney Road State School is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of school wide behavior. As a school wide approach, it is essential that students have a clear and consistent understanding of school wide expectations. Teachers throughout the school should receive guidelines and action plans on how to facilitate these expectations. The school would be responsible for ensuring all staff are supported and have the resources and professional development to effectively implement the PBS practices in a classroom and across the school

Art ‘n Autism is a non-profit organization is Tuscaloosa, Alabama that focuses on children or adults with autism to help promote social skills and well as an interactive learning environment. While at Art ‘n Autism, has numerous classes and activities that the students rotate through during the week and each day. These activities include: art, music, yoga, social skills, play time, and snack. The kids are dropped off in the afternoon by their caregivers and spend three hours switching activities with children in their chronological and developmental ages.

The School-Wide Positive Behavior Support or SW-PBIS program is designed to teach behavior expectations in the same manner as any core curriculum subject. The main idea for the SW-PBIS program is for the school to focus on three to five positive behavior expectations rather than telling the students what not to do in the school atmosphere. The expectations and routines are enforced school-wide in each classroom and in non-classroom areas with the matrices posted throughout the school. These expectations and routines are taught through lesson plans at the beginning of the year in setting specific locations, such as lining up properly in the hallway using a hula hoop to demonstrate proper body space distance. The program also emphasizes positive behaviors through a recognition system of praise. Instead of always concentrating on misbehavior staff rewards appropriate behaviors with some kind of incentive. The Carl Junction School district uses this program by implementing the bark bonus program when staff notices appropriate behaviors at specials, in hallways, in the lunchroom, etc. A staff member gives a student or the whole a class bark bonus, eventually when each class receives a specified amount that classroom is rewarded. As a whole, the classroom votes on which reward they want, such as a movie, bring stuffed animal/blanket, wear pajamas, or play electronics during class.

Previously, I have worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at La Place High School where I developed the expertise in basic behavior management – which is the prime base for any classroom. I am highly skilled in providing one-on-one assistance to students, assisting in the implementation of the curriculum, educating children and families by meeting program goals, and helping in meeting individual needs of children.

Her parents may have tried strategies that work for her which I could later apply to the classroom. Emphasizing planner use would be essential to her success in terms of keeping organized and staying on track. In the planner Lindsay could break down tasks and make checklists for herself of the things she needs to do. Also, incorporating breaks into lessons would ensure she remains attentive, focused and not distracted- all necessary for learning to the fullest. Should Lindsay feel the need to interrupt, teaching her cues of when to speak beforehand would be helpful so as one may develop interactive activities without apprehension. Allowing her to play with play doh or other fidget toys would also allow her to exert her energy elsewhere. Struggling with behavioral disorders can be lonely hence implementing a class-wide tutoring system would connect her to a peer while promoting a sense of community. In this collaborative environment, Lindsay and others may ask questions and hold one another accountable so that no one is alone in the reality that is

On Thursday, September 28th I got the opportunity to talk to Caravel. I talked to Jamie Deuchars. This company is an autism health team and they work to help children with autism and families develop skills, connections, confidence, and opportunities. They are mostly therapy but there are jobs that are helpful with the business aspect. With a business degree you could help with working with money and donations coming into the business. With a business administration degree another job one would do could be working books for employees, like payroll. Someone with a business administration degree, like myself could also possibly become a manager too. Jamie also mentioned degree’s don’t matter all too much in this company, they just look for