Teacher getting ready for new term ...

[jillyl123]

Hi there,

 

In September I will have a boy with an ASD in my mainstream class of 30 children. He is six years old.

 

I received some ideas from people on the general board about how best to accommodate him and facilitate his learning. So far I have done the following:

 

. Made pictorial timetable which we will discuss and display daily as a whole class.

Made reading corner with cushions where I thought Tom could go to 'cool down' or get a break if needed.

 

Is this appropriate? Does anyone have other ideas? I just want to make his transition into my class as smooth as possible.

 

Many thanks,

Jill

[BusyLizzie100]

The NAS (www.nas.org.uk) has info sheets specifically for teachers, which you may find useful.

My son's teacher has access to the Autism Advisory Teachers in our area - perhaps your LEA has something similar. They are there to offer advice, guidance etc to teachers.

 

I'm sure there is much more out there, but I just wanted to fire off this reply ASAP, and add that it's great to see a teacher who wants to make a difference.

 

Lizzie

[baddad]

Hi Jill -

WOW! Love the pro-active preparations.

One thing I would advise more than anything else is go with what you see, not with what the books tell you. The stuff you've got lined up would be many autistic kids 'ideal', but some don't rely quite so heavily on (ie) pictiroal learning/rigid structure and some again actually find them challenging and distressing.

If you were writing a rule book on autism the first one would have to be There are no rules !!

Try everything that the books (or this forum etc) suggest. Take what works and run with it. Throw what doesn't work away, whatever its source, and be prepared to look outside the box that many people will want Tom to live in.

Thanks for doing this in advance - that fact alone suggests Tom's going to be a very happy and well supported kid next term.

L&P

BD

[witsend]

hi Jill - just wanted to say I'm pretty sure you're gonna get it right 'cos you obviously care! Wish you were teaching my son in Sept. Good luck - Witsend.

[Viper]

Hi Jill.

 

Your post sent a shiver down my spine and a tear to my eye. Thank you so much from every parent of an ASD child. You are a wonderful person. I know you teachers are over worked and under paid and for you to take extra time to help this little boy is comendable.

 

I think the best advice I can give you as a parent of 2 ASD children is to listen to his parents, they know their child and can help you to help him. Also give him time to settle and get to know you in his own time, the change may make him difficult at first but with a good teacher like you he will be ok. Finally when his year with you is over spend time with his next teacher and give them as much information as you can to help him continue getting the treatment he deserves.

 

Keep us posted on how he is doing and any problems you may come across and I'm sure someone here will be able to help.

 

Good luck. Viper.

[lil_me]

I agree with Viper, listen to his parents, work with them rather than against them. Visual stuff usually helps and also a quiet area. It will I am sure be a fantastic learning process for yourself and if you can follow on with his care in the years after he is with your class I am sure he will get the start in life any child deserves.

 

Well done for making the effort to undertand better we need more teachers like yourself in mainstream schools.

[hollymg]

As a parent of a soon-to-be 6 year old my #1 request of his upcoming teacher is a time he can come before school starts to meet her, see the classroom, and have her walk him through her rules, expectations and what they will be doing. I learned from last year that this simple thing made ALL the difference in the world on how school started and progressed from there.

 

I sent her a letter this week and hope she responds to it positively!

 

Bravo to you, I wish they were all like you!

[Helen]

jillyl123,

 

I think you've found yourself a fan club here... myself included! Well done for trying your best to help prepare this lad for class transition.

[Brook]

Hi Jill,

 

I agree with the others, I think its great that you have taken the time to come on here and seek advice for the little boy.

 

My advice would be to watch at playtimes, when he is unstructured and in the midst of alot of kids, he may well get on fine in this area, but I strongly feel an extra eye is needed with ASD children, just in case of teasing etc...

 

I asked the school for a buddy for my son at the lunchtime break, he had a couple of older kids with him, which then attracted others to play, so my son had interaction but at the same time he had his buddies there for if he could not cope.

I only asked for lunchtimes as I felt my son may want the other breaks to chill out a bit, but non the less, I asked that he could be kept an eye on from afar.

 

I wish you all the best,

 

Brook

[smallworld]

I agree with Brook, playtimes are a real worry, especially for a child of only six.

In some ways, playground supervision is more important than in lessons for a child who needs to devlop social skills. This is where the socialising takes place.

I can hang fire on his learning, to me social skills are the main justification for mainstream schooling, it might not work, but we're giving him a go at making friends/socialising with his NT peers.

I'm not talking about minders here (although my son has them for his safety) but a stand back approach to allow him to make friends, with help and intervention if needed.

Above all, I would say, ask yourself, is your school secure? this will alleviate parents' worries more than anything, in my opinion.

I jump everytime during the school day when I hear a siren, it's far too easy for a child, asd or not, to leave the school grounds.

Finally, enjoy having this child in your class, you can both gain loads in the 'short' time you'll have him for.

I hope you find it a rewarding year,

 

wac