As I learn more about people with Aspergers Syndrome, the more I realize how challenging the world is. I have learned that their learning environment does not exist only between the four walls of a classroom. The World is their classroom. Things that I take for granted are huge hurdles to them. So....as a teacher and family member of students with Aspergers, it is my job to help them leap over these hurdles to find success.
There is a person in my family that was diagnosed with Aspergers a few years ago. My family went from wondering 'What is wrong with him?' to wondering, 'What are we going to do to help him in the future?'. I am proud to say that he graduated from high school just a few weeks ago. So....what will we do to help him now that his future has crept up on us so quickly?
First of all, there are some obstacles that we, as a family, created--these obstacles are going to have to be overcome in order for him to find success. When he was younger, we gave him almost everything he wanted immediately, so that he would not get upset and have a meltdown. He would get so focused on technology, that if you interrupted him to ask him to take out the garbage, he would explode. So, the result is that he did not have many chores and often, rather than listen to the conflict and help him work through it, one of us would often jump up and complete the task or just not ask him to do anything. So, what we, as a family, created is a person that expects to be rewarded immediately for not doing anything.
So....what is the first step to his future?? Boot camp at my house! He knows that when he comes to my house that I have expectations for him. And, he ALWAYS rises to meet them! Every small job or chore that he completes is a victory for him because he loves learning new things and he knows he will be praised. Even if he does it wrong, I praise him for trying. He also knows that I will be there to support him, and that I am going to give him the time and space he needs to work on the things that frustrates him before I intervene.
Today, he received his graduation present and then immediately began discussing 'other' things that he would need. I explained to him that he had received his present and that anything else he needed, he would have to work for. He immediately asked me what he could do to begin earning money. So...although he has been pampered, he sees that it is necessary to work for what he gets in life. This is a major step to finding his place in the world.
So what did I do? I gave him a list. I have to admit that seeing him stick to the list to try to finish it has been a great reward for me. To me, that shows some spunk!
I know you are sitting there wondering what jobs I gave him to do, so here they are:
1. Take down and paint my shutters. Motor skills with the screwdriver are going to be a challenge. There is a certain frustration level that comes with getting the top off of the spray paint. However, he rose to meet the challenge AND he decided to turn off his computer and ask for the tools to do the job without prompting. Interestingly though, he got the screwdriver, went outside and looked around, and immediately came back inside to ask me what shutters were. I explained it to him, and he dashed back out the door to do the job. He was eager to get to work. Another huge step to success!!
Update: He got 2 out of 3 sets of shutters painted. And then it rained!!! It came out of no where. So, there was gloom and doom for a bit as he thought this threw. He came to me about 10 minutes later to tell me that he thought it was best to let the shutters dry and repaint them tomorrow!
2. Learn to make cornbread. I told him where the measuring cups, the bowl, and ingredients are. He has already inspected the package of mix and is excited to learn how to do this. He loves to eat, so I know he is going to do well! And, if he makes a mess or drops an egg or gets a shell into the mix? Well....we will either start over or give that piece to my husband! hehehee
Update: The cornbread was superb!!
3. Learn to steam cabbage. This is one of his mother's favorite things and he wants to become a master at it. And, I believe he will!!
Update: He did a great job with the cabbage, but did not like it at all!
So....do you want to learn more abut Aspergers and Autism? Go here to take a quiz to see if YOU qualify!
Do you want to see how to teach students or family members about Aspergers, or learn how to explain why the person with Aspergers feels like he or she is so different from others? Click the link above to check out this video featuring Marc Brown's favorite character, Arthur and his friends.
Are you a teacher or parent that struggles to know how to cope with all of this and you stress about helping someone with Aspergers? Check out myaspergerschild.com and the autismsupportnetwork.com for more ideas and suggestions.
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Also, I am proud to say that I am a judge for the Really Good Stuff Education Blog Award judges. I am already looking at blogs and getting REALLY excited!!!
If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I LOVE fairy tales and think they are even better if they are 'messed up' and made brand new! Here is one of the books that is recommended for the 2nd nine weeks of 2nd grade when those following the Core Curriculum will be working on a unit about The Wild, Wild West! I can't wait.
The book is titled Little Red Riding Hood: A Newfangled Prairie Tale.
It is about your typical Little Red Riding Hood, but there is a twist! Granny ain't gonna play with that wolf! Granny wins and Red stays safe! It is $7.99...not to bad!
Well that's all, folks! Enjoy!
