Instructional Strategies for Aspergers Students...

Did you know that Aspergers and AD/HD are both considered to be part of the family of Autism Spectrum disorders?

Did you know that instances and diagnoses of these conditions are on the rise -- at what some experts would catagorize as an unprecedented rate?

Even at Seven Arrows, we are beginning to see more and more children in our classrooms that are facing the unique challenges of ADHD and Aspergers. As I reflected on our students, I realized that in nearly each and every class, there is at least one student who either has been diagnosed with ADHD, or Aspergers, or is a child that we suspect may have either condition.

Children with these conditions present us with special teaching challenges. While typically incredibly smart and high functioning, they also present with gaps in significant areas. Socially they are challenged. They miss social cues that for other students are painfully obvious. In language arts they struggle with inferential reasoning and abstractions. In math, they excel when the instruction is logical and linear, but are often lost in the circular/spiral instruction of programs like Every Day Math.

So then, what to do?

Well, I've been looking for resources for some time. I came across a resource today that I found quite helpful, and I'd like to get your opinion. Please click on the link below, and print a copy of the PDF that it opens:

On Aspergers...
http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/specialneeds/autism/autism5b.pdf

Once you have read through the article, I'd like for you to document some of your thoughts here on the blog. Basically my questions are:

**What value do you see in using these strategies in your classroom (regardless of who is/isn't diagnosed)?

**In what ways might other students benefit from the use of these strategies?

**How easy/practical are the implementation of the strateiges/ideas suggested in the article?

**Which of the strategies might you implement and why?


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