Autistic Children
Autistic Children questions and answers
Have questions about Autistic Children? Checkout the website Diet & Health.
Q: Why teachers find it hard to meet the needs of autistic children?
Research suggests that teachers should provide one to one support for autistic children within mainstream school. Is that possible? why do some teachers find it hard? Please share your views.
A: I've been to many, many schools and most of them do provide autistic children with 1:1 support.
In secondary schools, the children with autism tend to go into one room altogether and learn the core subjects in a different way, with more teaching assistants than in the 'regular' classroom.
Of course, it also depends on the severity of the child's autism, some children will manage with academic work perfectly in a 'normal' classroom, but may have several problems with behaviour and/or concentration when it comes to listening to the teacher's demonstration.
Also, the teachers & teaching assistants who work in a setting with children with autism (or any additional need, for that matter) will attend several CPD courses to ensure they are aware of what types of attention the child will need and also how to find a way to teach the child and how to interact if their social skills aren't brilliant, etc.
Q: where can I find curriculum to teach piano to primary grade autistic children?
I currently teach in a center based classroom for autistic children, ages 5 to 9. I also give private piano lessons. I have been asked to instruct one of my students in piano, outside of class. Has any one come across materials, or folks who have done this before?
A: It looks like there are a number of teachers who teach piano to autistic children. Below is a link to an article and a message forum discussing techniques. The article mentions the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy, specializes in autistic children.
Q: What are the Importance of Educational Field Trips for Autistic Children ?
I want to know why the Educational trips are important and how it affects the ability of learning for Autistic children. If you have any answers or web sites suggestions please let me know
A: "Parent-professional collaboration and community based instruction are important ways to improve generalization in students with autism. The more coordinated between the home and the school teaching efforts can be, the more likely it is that the students will apply what they learn to different settings. Using similar approaches and emphasizing similar skills are ways in which parents and professionals can collaborate to improve the generalization skills of their students.
Community-based teaching is also important for improving generalization skills. Because our ultimate goal is successful community-based training, activities must be available throughout educational programs. These should include regular field trips of increasing frequency as the students grow older, community-based work opportunities in 'real' job settings, and community-based leisure activities" http://www.teacch.com/learningstyles.html
"Community-based instruction (CBI) involves working on IEP goals in community settings. Such instruction is essential to the educational programs of most students with autism/PDD. CBI is as appropriate for students with significant challenges as it is for students with milder forms of autism/PDD.
Many highly verbal students do well within a school routine but have extreme difficulties in unpredictable community settings.
Community-based instruction is not a reward for "a good week" but a vital part of each student's educational programming. If a student is not allowed to participate, that student is missing out on a learning experience. Participation in CBI should be based on behavior while in the community not dependent on behavior in school or at home. Appropriate skills for success in community settings need to be taught and practiced on a consistent basis to insure generalization to a variety of settings and people; and to promote as much independence as possible." http://www.asw4autism.org/aswnews/news298.htm#Learn
Other sites that may help:
http://www.nsttac.org/pdf/ebps/teaching_life_skills_community_based_instruction.pdf
http://www.autismconnectmd.org/education/methods/teach.html
http://ies.ed.gov/ncser/pubs/20073005/instruct_practices.asp
Q: My daughter is Autistic and I am pregnant with a boy, poll for parents of autistic children?
I have asked a genetic doctor and all she said was that I should have been inseminated with someone else's sperm, which was not helpful. So I wanted to do a poll.
Parents whose children have both the same mother and father
How many of your children are autistic (and how many are not) and what are their sexes?
Thanks for any help.
I love my daughter just as much as I would if she was neurotypical and will love my little boy the same. I am really just trying to prepare myself.
When the geneticst told me that I almost cried. I thought it was a horrible thing to say too. Then there was the fact she barely spoke English, promised to get back to me and didn't till I harassed her office. I live in a small town in West Virginia so getting a second opinion isn't really an option.
A: I have four children. 2 boys and 2 girls. Our youngest child, a boy, is 3 and autistic. The chances of having another autistic child is "said" in the medical field to be 5%. I believe it to be a bit higher, myself.
I think your genetic doctor sounds crass...what a heartless thing to say!
Do not live in "what if"..every child is a blessing!!!
Best wishes!
Q: How does occupational therapy benifit autistic children?
im writing a paper on how/why occupational therapy is beneficial to autistic children and i need web sights to look at or other insights into it.
A: Occupational therapy can help children with autism in several ways:
educating parents about setting up the child's environment and daily schedule to help the child remain regulated and successful
directly treating the child to develop social skills and replace stereotypical behavior with functional play skills
occupational therapists with additional training or certification in sensory integration treatment may address any sensory concerns
educating teachers and others about environmental support and social interaction and sensory strategies
You can check out http://www.aota.org/Consumers/FactSheets/Children/39479.aspx for more information
Q: What is the best tested treatment for autistic children?
My child is diagnosed as autistic, but he is very re3sponsive, cudly, can sense danger, have eye contact,very sensitive and can show emotions. He cried when he is sad or if you did not give proper attention to him that you give to other siblings. He is not under medication, but only delyated speech and sometimes biting of fingers when frustrated.
A: I would first suggest speaking with the special education teachers at your child's school or other knowledgeable professionals who know your child and his needs.
Based on the information that you have shared, I think that the best intervention for him now would be speech therapy.
As for the finger biting, you might try teaching him an alternative behavior to use when frustrated. Each child will be unique in what helps him or her, but you could try giving him something to fiddle with his hands, such as a small stretchy toy or a "stress ball" to squeeze. I would try a variety of things until you find what works for him.
Just because a child has a label of autism does not necassarily mean that he or she needs intense early intervention. Each child is unique and has different needs. Many persons with high-functioning autism go through school in regular classes with little extra support.
Here are some extra resources that may help.
Books:
Jerry Newport, "Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome"
Paul Collins, "Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism"
Paula Kluth, "You're Going to Love This Kid!: Teaching Students With Autism in the Inclusive Classroom"
Websites:
Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism by Temple Grandin, Ph.D - http://www.autism.org/temple/tips.html
Website of Paula Kluth, Ph.D. - http://www.paulakluth.com/autism.html
Autism Society of America - http://www.autism-society.org/
"Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew" by Ellen Notbohm" - http://www.southflorida.com/sfparenting/sfe-sfp-autism,0,6196233.story
"Work to view my autism as a different ability rather than a disability. Look past what you may see as limitations and see the gifts autism has given me. I may not be good at eye contact or conversation, but have you noticed I don't lie, cheat at games, tattle on my classmates, or pass judgment on other people? ... I probably won't be the next Michael Jordan, but with my attention to fine detail and capacity for extraordinary focus, I might be the next Einstein. Or Mozart. Or Van Gogh. They had autism too." - Ellen Notbohm
Q: Do autistic children have good memories?
I'm doing an assignment about autism and i was just wondering if autistic kids have difficulty remembering things.
For example is it easy for autistic children to read music on a staff?
A: It depends on the child. Every autistic person is at a different degree mentally. Some autistic individuals can remember things that happened 30 years ago, but not 30mins ago. For some, it's the other way around.
It's completely dependent on the individual.
Q: what are good schools for autistic children in nyc?
i have an 11 year old severely autistic brother (he can't communicate except by pulling you and can't say what he wants) who goes to a special school but isn't really getting what he needs there. what are the top schools for special/autistic children? my family would also like if it is in a safe area.
thank you
A: I grew up in NYC and have an autistic sister. Here is a list of schools.
http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/privateschools/853nycqs.htm
Q: When Autistic children speak or say few words, why do they talk like aliens or robots?
You should hear Simon Lynch (Miko Hughes in MERCURY RISING) telephoning us saying "YOOOOUU AAARRE THAAA STRAAAANNGEEEERRRR (You are the stranger)!!!".
Why do Autistic children talk like aliens or robots when they either speak or say few words?
A: not all do--that is a sterotype-
but the ones that do process language differently-it sounds different to them-and they have oral planning issues that make it more difficutl for teh words to come out in a normal tone
Q: Hello, Does anyone know what is a good school dist in bay area for autistic children ?
Does anyone know what is a good school dist (the kid is 4 years and hence I am looking for elementary school) in bay area for autistic children.
I would truly appreciate the response.
Thanks,
Chand
A: try to check on this site http://www.google.com/ it's help
Q: A question for parents of Autistic children?
I asked my sons pediatrician what could cause Autism if my son has it. (my son is showing a lot of symptoms so he is going through the eliminating of other diseases process) My sons pediatrician said there really isn't anything that "causes" it. I did everything by the book during my pregnancy. However, I asked my doctor could the shot that I received to stop labor cause Autism at all. He couldn't answer me because no one ever asked that before. I was just wondering if any mothers of Autistic children also received this shot. If so, did you mention it to your pediatrician and what did they say?
A: this is the first time i heard of this question asked before .I did have the shot to stop labor pains . But your doctor was right there isn't anything that causes this . there are many theory's.But nothing as in my opinion is edged in stone .Trust me you are going to go threw this with the why the how comes the guilt it will past and then you will get angry and fight for you child . we have all been there .
Q: Any one have autistic children in school?
My son is 4 and in early education. I fear the future when he is in a "regular" classroom with kids who are not autistic. Do you have children who are a bit older in regular classes or grown up. I worry about his life and what he will be like when older.
A: Look into your county resources. In my county we have a lot of outside agencies that offer "social cognition" training for children on the Autistic Spectrum. In our district we have several children on the Spectrum. One I work with has a full time aide. He has made so much progress in only 4 months of being at our school (he was in a private school before). His parents "make" him come outside his comfort zone. He would like to retreat and play in his room, but his parents make him have time with his brothers first. He is even asking for play dates with classmates. I would definately look into the programs that your district provides for Kindergarten. Advocate for your child, you know him best. A lot of districts don't want to pay for an aide with the budgets so tight. You have to push. Make sure park of his education plan (IEP) included social skills and you may even want to ask for a behavior specialist to observe him and write a functional behavioral analysis.
Give you child every oportunity to be with other kids. Try to have him give eye contact as much as possible.
There are so many resources and early intervention is so great!
Good luck.
Q: Smoking and alcohol increases autistic children rate?
I heard that if you smoke or drink alcohol ( regardless if pregnant or not ) it will increase the risk of having children that are autistic. Is this true? Is it true for one gender and not the other?
You said it cannot be detected until 14 months old, well can't you tell by how they look?
A: No one knows what causes autism, some believe it is genetic others believe it comes from the vaccinations children get when they are infants and others have even crazier theories. The research is still out, no one is sure what leads to autism. I have never heard of the smoking or drinking thing but I would doubt it. However, any abuse you put your body through is never good.