NeuroDiversity Consulting LLC
  • Home
    • Our Mission
    • Events
    • Contact Us
  • Autism Attitude
  • Community
    • Stronger Together
    • Race and Disability

Back To School: Making the best experience

9/2/2019

0 Comments

 
by Liza Citron
An apple on a short stack of books with a chalkboard in the background. Text, Educators can make the best experiences for students in the classroom.
As teachers are going back to school, many might have an autistic or otherwise neurodivergent child in their class -- perhaps for the first time. Educators might reasonably wonder where to begin in tailoring the classroom experience to that child -- connecting to the child as an entirely new experience for the teacher. How different is the autistic experience to the neurotypical one? How does autism affect a child in their formative years? What changes should be made for the child to help them connect to the curriculum and the teacher, and to help them succeed? These are all questions teachers might be asking themselves as the “mad rush” to prepare for the school year comes into full swing.

All these questions may seem daunting to the teacher, especially ones new to their classroom. Everything comes down to paying attention to and carefully observing the child -- and, of course, listening to what they may tell you. Careful observation can tell you what the child’s most significant struggles are, and conversely, what their greatest successes or strengths are or maybe in the future.

As an autistic adult, I don’t personally know the neurotypical experience. I can, however, compare my autistic experience with descriptions from neurotypical friends and family members. My perspective helps provide insight into neurotypical and neurodivergent experiences that impact the classroom.

One of the main differences I have noted is the capacity for sensory input and susceptibility towards over-stimulation. Things neurotypicals might not even notice can be “deafening,” if you will, to an autistic individual -- and can cause either shutdown or meltdown, depending on the situation. As such, the best learning/work environment for many autistic people, and neurotypical people is one with the least sensory stimuli possible. In such a situation, it is easier to maintain concentration, and much easier to lower anxiety levels, both of which provide a more productive mental state.

Another difference to consider, especially with young children, is the theory of mind -- seeing situations from another’s perspective. Theory of mind is an aspect of human behavior and neurology that is important in relationship building and learning. Contrary to what some may think autistic people are not insensitive to what others need or want. However, it can often be difficult for us to see those needs and wants in the context of a situation. Providing an environment for role-play, or anything that requires “characters” can often help develop a person’s understanding of the theory of mind.

Every individual, autistic or not, will have their levels and specifics of needs, struggles, and strengths. The above are just two of the multitude of ways in which the autistic experience can differ from the neurotypical one. Taking the time to learn, understand, and account for these individual aspects allows educators to set themselves and their students up for success in the new school year.

​Read more

Neurodiversity Rewires Conventional Thinking About Brains



0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    504 Plan
    ABLE 2.0
    ABLE Act 2014
    ACE
    Aspergers
    Autism
    Autism Acceptance
    Autism Advisory Board
    Autism Awareness
    Autism Spectrum Disorder
    Autistic Adults
    Autistic Children
    Behavior Intervention Plan
    BIP
    Church
    Cure
    Diagnosis
    Diet
    Disability
    Discipline
    Diy
    Dsm
    Education
    Education Law
    Encouragement
    Epidemic
    Estate Planning
    Faith
    FBA
    Functional Behavioral Assessment
    Homeschooling
    IDEA
    IEP
    Incidence
    Inclusion
    Laws
    Long Term Care
    Mental Health
    Neurodevelopmental Disorder
    Neurodiversity
    New York
    Nha
    Nurtured Heart Approach
    Parenting
    PDD NOS
    PDD-NOS
    Person/people First Language
    Policy
    Prevalence
    Prevention
    Relativism
    Research
    Resilience
    School
    Science
    Sex
    Social Isolation
    Special Education Law
    Special Needs
    Suspension
    Trauma
    Treatment

    Archives

    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    May 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    August 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    November 2012
    July 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011

      RSS Feed

    NeuroDiversity Consulting LLC
    [email protected]

    (315) 760-4358
     Privacy Policy
    Business Credit
    Business Credit by Nav
    Photo from Hayzphotos
    • Home
      • Our Mission
      • Events
      • Contact Us
    • Autism Attitude
    • Community
      • Stronger Together
      • Race and Disability