Teaching Children With Special Needs

 

 

Master Sgt. Jerry Molina, an Airman from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, helps a boy with cerebral palsy color during a special education class at the Nadjeshda Children's Center April 27, 2010. Nadjeshda is home for 60 children and teenagers who are disabled in different ways. With the help of adults, children there are able to learn to sign, draw, study, work and have fun using various methods of therapy. U.S. Airmen have supported Nadjeshda for the last six years, helping rebuild and repair the facility and spending time with the children. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss)

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“Dreaming of a Bigger Tomorrow was the theme at the 2019 Special Needs Conference attended by children with autism and other disabilities, parents, policymakers, sponsors, and other participants that had the same goal. They all were interested to improve the lives of children with special needs and their families. Among those who attended were teachers from different states, who listened to discussions about teaching children with special needs. It was a transformative event that communities from different states truly recognized and appreciated.

Teaching Children With Special Needs

As a teacher, disabled children and teens may present with several distinctive challenges. They will require more patience and time from you, so you also need to have special instructional techniques in an organized environment that improves their learning capacity. It is vital to keep in mind that students with special needs are not incapacitated. They are capable of learning – only that they require a more custom-tailored type of guidelines that are suitable to meet their corresponding learning disabilities. Here are some common strategies that you can use or be guided with.

  • Give verbal instructions to children with reading disabilities. Reading materials and examinations should also be in an oral format so that the student’s evaluation will not be influenced by his reading disability.
  • Provide quick feedback to the disabled students as they need to immediately see the connection between what you taught them as a teacher and what they have learned as a student.
  • Progress checks should be made available to them regularly. Provide them with a simple checklist of how they are doing so far in individual and class environments.

 

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  • Structure your activities in a way that they are understandable – short and to the point. Long projects will most probably frustrate these students and might decrease their motivation.
  • Children with learning disabilities have trouble comprehending abstract concepts and words. As much as possible, provide these students with tangible objects, things that they can smell, touch, hear, etc.
  • If necessary, repeat your instructions or provide both written and oral formats. It is important that children with disabilities benefit from sensory modalities.

 

 

 

How To Help Children With Autism Adjust During The COVID-19 Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a threat to our world health system, most of us are staying home away from other people. We have to adjust to a new way of life to prevent the virus from spreading and take care of our health and our loved ones.

It can be tough to experience sudden shifts in our lives, especially for children with autism who could be facing emotional distress at the effects caused by the pandemic. 

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According to Donna Murray, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, people with autism find comfort in doing routine activities and this particular time may stress them out. “Depending on developmental levels, the difficulty of understanding why a routine is disrupted, how long it’s going to last, wondering when it’s over—all of that adds a lot of unknowns. It can add anxiety.”

Children with autism may display extreme resistance to change. Adding to the strains is the closure of kindergartens, schools, and other facilities, children with autism feel attached. With that, here are some of the ways you can help children with autism to cope amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduce New Daily Routines

Children with autism take solace in predictable daily routines. Since you have to introduce them with a new way of living for a while, create a structured schedule that gives them a sense of control in uncertain situations. Work with them in creating new daily activities. For this purpose, make a visual schedule and post it somewhere your children can see so that they can check on it regularly.

Don’t overcomplicate their schedule. It doesn’t even have to be time-based to take off the pressure in keeping up with it. You can also help your kids regain control by providing options and letting them make decisions. Allow them to choose the meal for dinner or ask them what they would like to do next while doing school work.

Use Auditory Or Visual Cues

Having reminders can help your kids to know how long an activity should last or other essential things they need to perform. Use visual or auditory reminders to give them hints on their next events.

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Talk To Them About The COVID-19 Pandemic

Children with autism may not be able to express their fears and frustrations at face value. But helping them to understand the current situation can make them grasp what is happening. Be direct and honest, and don’t offer other information that they don’t need. It may create further misunderstandings and complications. 

Easily explain to them that they will do their schoolwork at home, and any activities outside will be on hold. Talk to them about important things, such as:

  • Wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. 
  • Avoid touching their nose, mouth, and eyes. 
  • They can’t stay close to other people, practice social distancing
  • Wearing cloth covers or face masks when going outside.

Apply Social Stories

To help your children process and comprehend new information, you can use social stories. Social stories are stories that help teach kids to distinguish what’s happening and what to do about it. It goes with pictures, storytelling, and other visuals to help them engage in the topic.

You can use social stories in further explaining the essential details about the following:

  • COVID-19
  • How to stay healthy
  • Social distancing
  • Hygiene
  • Homeschooling
  • New routines

Use other learning methods that have worked before. Give them time to process new knowledge. Some children with autism need to roleplay and will always ask questions to reduce the stress they’re experiencing. You can search online to help you in creating social stories. Or make your own social stories through drawings, pictures, or photos.

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Help Your Children Express Their Emotions

Children with autism perform repetitive behaviors when they feel worried or scared. They may have tantrums and other actions that are challenging to address.

You can support your kids with their emotions by trying calming activities, such as deep breathing, watching films or videos, or exercise with them to ease anxious feelings. You can also try doing the following:

  • Writing
  • Talking with each other
  • Arts and crafts
  • Using augmented communication devices for nonverbal children 
  • Playing out their fears

Avoid making your children watch, hear, or read upsetting news, as this may increase their anxiety. If they did so, talk to them in a calming manner. Limit their time on social media to prevent further misunderstandings.

You must take care of yourself as well as much as you take care of your children. They’re going to need you healthy and reliable as your family goes through this pandemic. Most importantly, stay with them. Your comfort as a parent is the best support your children can have.

Job Opportunities For People With Autism

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A mother and advocate of autism was the special speaker at the 2017 Autism Conference. Monica Meyer inspired and motivated. Most participants – which consist of autism specialists, medical professionals, researchers, and moms of children with autism – agree that it was one of the best and the biggest conferences so far. Aside from the moving speech that Meyer delivered, there was also a question and answer portion of the program where the audience was allowed to ask anything and everything autism. Plus, workshops that involved tools that parents can use to cope with their children, dealing with autistic behavior, and even employment opportunities for those with autism.

For parents with teens or adolescents diagnosed with autism or those who are handling spouse with autism, there are jobs that they can do and that they can excel in, depending on their unique talents and skills!

Technology

Worldwide, some of the most successful tech specialists and computer programmers are diagnosed with autism. These people have a passion for looking into computers and anything tech-related. This is probably one of the best careers for them because the job doesn’t need much social interaction. They also have their own space to work in, which is conducive to their personalities.

Pet Sitter Or Groomer

A lot of teens and adolescents with autism are fond of having pets for companions. Most often, a dog or cat provides them with something to focus on. And since at times pets are a source of comfort to them than other humans, autistic people who have a flair for pets can make great pet sitters or groomers. This career also doesn’t require a lot of talking with other people. They would spend more time with pets than with humans, which makes it convenient for them. Other animal-related jobs include dog trainers and livestock caretakers.

Writing And Research

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Most writers can be described as ‘aloof’ simply because they love to be alone with only their pen and paper with them. A writer can be a suitable job for a person with autism. Through writing, he can express fully what he finds difficult to express verbally. It sharpens his mind and enhances his creativity. As a researcher, on the other hand, he can utilize his keen attention to detail and his tendency to over-focus on the things that he is most interested in.

 

 

 

Friendship Building For Kids With Autism 

Often, we leave the children to form their friendships with their playmates. However, for children with ADHD, that task can be quite tricky. As parents, it is our responsibility to help our children make new friends and maintain those bonds. Here are some tips and tricks to teach our children about friendship building.  

 

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  Continue reading “Friendship Building For Kids With Autism “

Can Your Child’s Autism Change A Marriage?

Many things can change a marriage. Some of these are for the better while some are for the worse. The changes that may come in your married life can affect the marital union only if you allow them to. This is why it is essential to have the proper mindset when it comes to handling these changes. Keep in mind that these are inevitable, which means that there is nothing that you could do to prevent it from happening. As such, you now must see to it that you are prepared for whatever may come your way.

 

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Continue reading “Can Your Child’s Autism Change A Marriage?”

How To Keep The Marriage Strong With An Autistic Child

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Having a child with an autism spectrum disorder or ASD can be stressful for both the husband and wife. In fact, this kind of mental condition may lead to turmoil in the marital union. According to a recent study, one of the many reasons why marriages end up in divorce is because of the failure of the parents to settle conflicts or indifferences arising from the mental health of their children. Just because it is happening it doesn’t mean that you will also be a part of this number. Luckily, you still have a chance to make your marriage last despite the existence of your child’s ASD.

Continue reading “How To Keep The Marriage Strong With An Autistic Child”

Therapist’s Tip: Send Your Child With Autism To School

 

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Parenting is a complete struggle, especially if you have a child who has a mental condition such as autism spectrum disorder. It is difficult to balance your work at home and your work in the office. At the same time, it is also challenging to handle the tantrums and other effects brought by the disorder. One of the reasons why you are probably experiencing difficulty in raising your child is the lack of the essential information about his condition. Unfortunately, there are a significant number of parents who have not fully understood what autism means and how it can affect the lives of their kids.

 

One of the several issues concerning kids with autism is their education. A common misconception is that these kids are incapable of going to school. The truth is contrary to this because autistic individuals are more in need of going to an educational institution. They have to learn in a special school, most importantly when it comes to proper behavior and the use of languages for communication. A lot of therapists recommend parents to ensure that their kids with autism should attend academic classes. These are the reasons why you must send your child to school notwithstanding his autism:

 

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It Can Help Him Develop Their Interpersonal Skills

At this point, you are probably well aware that your little one struggles in building relationships with others. The reason behind this is that he has low interpersonal skills, usually brought about by his disorder. Sending him to a school wherein his classmates also have special needs will help your child improve the way he looks at relationships. He will feel more comfortable in connecting with others, once he realizes that many other kids are just like him. “Rather than focusing on weaknesses, find ways to assist your child in developing to his or her full potential. When encouraged, children will acquire talents to compensate for any deficiencies.” Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D., LMFT explains.

 

His Teachers Can Teach Him A Lot Of Lessons

It is a fact that you can teach your child without the assistance of others. You can simply find the books or materials for your lectures. However, you also need to accept the fact that you are not equipped with the necessary skills on how to engage in special education. As such, you may experience several challenges when it comes to teaching your kid about the things they need to know. Save yourself from some trouble by enrolling him in a school for children with mental conditions.

 

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You Can Save More Time

Another advantage of sending your beloved kid to a special school is that you get to spend more time with yourself. Take note that you also need to prioritize your well-being. Learn how to take a break by trusting your kid’s teacher that he can provide care for your little one while he is within the school facility. While your kid is at the school, you can go to work with peace of mind or attend special events with some friends. Remember that all teachers in special needs schools are equipped with knowledge and expertise in dealing with kids who are diagnosed with certain mental conditions. But of course, Francyne Zeltser, Psy.D.  still insists that “what’s more important than the quantity of time you spend with your kids is the quality of the time you do have together.”

 

“You know your children best. Doctors, teachers, therapists are all fantastic resources but if you don’t feel like you’re being heard, or your child’s needs are being met, it’s very reasonable to get a second opinion. Don’t be afraid to fight for your child and their needs. While the professionals are experts in their areas, you are the expert on your child.”  Dr. Darla Clayton, PsyD said. Your kid deserves to learn new things and to get out of the house once in a while. Let him attend classes. It will be highly beneficial for his condition.

 

Should You Bring Your Child With Autism To A Psychiatrist?

 

 

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Dealing with autism can be difficult on your part, especially if you are not familiar with the proper ways on how to do it. You will experience a lot of challenges and demands when it comes to making your child understand certain things and allowing him to function in society. This is the reason why you need to get some help and assistance from medical professionals. You cannot just rely on your knowledge and skills about autism spectrum disorder. It is also necessary to find a psychiatrist who could look into your kids’ mental condition.

“Sometimes a child with ADD may be incorrectly diagnosed with a behavioral problem or a developmental disorder. It is vital that in the first step of treatment, your child or teen receives a reliable diagnosis from a child mental health specialist, such as a child psychologist or child psychiatrist.” –John M. Grohol, Psy.D

The next inquiry to ask is when is the right time to bring your kid to a psychiatrist is? Is there a specific set of events that must occur first before seeking professional help? Should you wait for a certain number of years before visiting the office of a health practitioner? Below are some of the red flags that indicate the need to get with a psychiatrist as soon as possible:

 

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  1. Constant Loss Of Control. Once you notice that your child with autism starts to have increased episodes wherein he loses control, the right thing to do is to set an appointment with a doctor. This is ideal so that the doctor could look into the factors causing the episodes and how to treat them.

 

  1. Development Of Aggression Against Others. “People with ASD can have problems controlling their aggression and says it is not uncommon for these clients, sometimes including adults, to pull her hair or scratch her arms.” Stephanie Smigiel, LPC said. Do not wait for your child to hurt his friends or family members. If you notice that your kid has turned aggressive, be sure to call a psychiatrist right away. The longer you prolong the meeting with the doctor, the more dangerous it is on the part of your kid.

 

  1. Verbal Escalation. When your child has begun to act strangely by making uncontrollable screams, the next step to do is to seek help from a medical professional. Always remember that being verbally abusive and inappropriate is not healthy for the child. With the help of a psychiatrist, you can teach the child how to decrease his screams.

 

  1. Influx Of Concerns From Teachers. Sending your child to school is good for his condition. Make sure that you are in constant communication with the teacher to monitor your child’s performance or behavior at school. If the teachers have raised concerns and problems with your kids at home, do not hesitate to contact a psychiatrist. Keep in mind that further help may be required to handle the situation.

 

  1. Increased Fears. “Fear makes us feel alive and know we are stepping outside our comfort zones, which is exciting,” says Steve Orma, PsyD, a clinical psychologist. But if your beloved child starts to act weird because of his fears for things or people, find a way to address it immediately. Do not wait for the situation to get worse. Contact a psychiatrist in the local community so that you can discuss the condition of your child. The earlier you do this, the better it is for your child’s mental health.

 

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Whether you like it or not, the help and assistance of a medical doctor or psychiatrist are essential for the well being of your child. Learn how to find the right health practitioner who will handle the case of your kid. As much as possible, avoid switching doctors to prevent a mix-up of records and errors in treatment plans.