Preview

Case Study for Autism

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
13491 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Case Study for Autism
Case Study: Effective Teaching Strategies for a Student with
Asperger’s in the General Educational Classroom Elizabeth Addington Durgin George Mason University
Abstract
At a training session in Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), statistics were shared of the number of students in the school system with an ASD diagnosis. It has become the third most common childhood illness. In the LCPS 10.6% of Individualized Education Programs (IEP) are dedicated to students with Autism (Buswell, 2009). These figures indicate teachers need to understand how to modify teaching strategies to empower these students to succeed. Characteristics of students with autism all share developmental delays in three areas of development: social, behavioral/emotional, and communication. This case study conducts a review of the literature to address areas of specific concerns in anxiety, social skills development, and transitions from self-contained classes to general education inclusion classrooms for a 13-year old male with Asperger’s.

Case Study: Effective Teaching Strategies for a Student with Asperger’s in the General Educational Classroom At a training of paraprofessionals in Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), statistics were shared on the number of students in the school system with an ASD diagnosis. It has become the third most common childhood illness. A child is diagnosed with Autism every twenty minutes in the United States. In the LCPS 10.6% (625) of Individualized Education Programs (IEP) are dedicated to students with Autism (Buswell, 2009). These figures indicate teachers need to understand how to modify teaching strategies and learn definitive steps that must be taken to implement individual strategies that match each student’s individual needs and empower students to succeed. Characteristics of students with autism all share developmental delays in three areas of development: social,



References: Banda, Devender R., Matuszny, Rose Marie, and Turkan, Sultan. (2007). Video modeling strategies to enhance appropriate behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders. TEACHING Exceptional Children. 39(6) 47-52. Buswell, Sara. (September, 2009). Overview of Asperger’s syndrome. Presented at the training of Para professionals by LCPS at Sterling Middle School. Lytle, Rebecca and Todd, Teri. (2009) . Stress and the student with autism spectrum disorders. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 41(4), 36-42. Loudoun County Public Schools, Sterling Middle School. Individual Education Plan for “Casey.” (2007). Roberts, Jacqueline M., Keane, Elaine, and Clark, Trevor R. (2008). Making inclusion work: autism spectrum Australia’s satellite class project. TEACHING Exceptional Children. 41(2) 22-27. Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Department of Education School Report Card. (2008). Retrieved from http://lcpsprofiles.loudoun.k12.va.us:80/portal/page/portal/LCPS/ MS/SCHOOLENROLLMENT:GRADE?NAME=%22STERLING%20MIDDLE%20%22

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    This case study is about David (name change to protect the student), a ninth grade student classified autism spectrum disorder and anxiety disorder. David is enrolled in inclusion classes for his academic subjects. David has had difficulty making the transition to high school. He is failing his classes and his parents and teachers report that his poor organizational skills decrease his ability to complete work independently and on time. The objective of this case study is for David to become independent in recording, tracking and completing all assignments assigned by the teachers, and turn them in on time. The starting point for the team was to review the initial assessment of the student. The following assessments were considered within this…

    • 638 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Asperger's Analysis

    • 172 Words
    • 1 Page

    All the texts convey similar ideas about Asperger’s, however they vary in tone. Robison’s memoir is optimistic and reassuring to all of his readers dealing with Asperger’s. The John Elder Robison is, “…proud to be an Aspergian,” (Robison 5). He teaches to his readers that “Asperger’s” does not have to be spoken in a negative tone. Somewhat similar to Robison’s attitude, Cukavac’s article reflects a proud, yet baffled tone. Jake is only 12 years old, but takes electromagnetic physics at Purdue University. The majority of twelve-year-olds barely know how to solve algebra problems! Closely related to Robison’s statement, “Jake proudly refers to himself as an “Aspy,” or someone with Asperger’s,” (Cukavac, 2 of 2). He is yet another example…

    • 172 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Using this approach correctly means you have to be flexible in your teaching and training to get the most out of your instruction for the learner to be successful. To obtain greater generalization and maintenance of skills, teaching is occurring during the normal routine to create a more comfortable setting and to relate skills more directly to the child. Adaptive tools are becoming more available and can promote greater independence for the individual. The inability to effectively communicate and interact with others is such a debilitating part of the disorder of ASD that every attempt to promote growth and improve communication and social skills should be encouraged. Implementing an approach that focuses on general social interactions and strives to provide understanding to an individual so that he can begin to make sense of their environment can be very effective. For the reasons documented in this paper, and due to the enigmatic nature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), research suggests that Mesibov”s (1984) model, “The treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children” (TEACCH) has more effective outcomes for students with diagnoses in the ASD spectrum than the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) model because the ABA model focuses on task specific trials, the use of TEACCH focuses more on generalized teaching strategies, and TEACCH places emphasis on individuals learning how to communicate more effectively with others and…

    • 3389 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Better Essays

    Asperger 's syndrome, is an autism spectrum disorder that affects language and behavioral development in children.…

    • 849 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Rfk/670 Task 1

    • 1869 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Formerly known as Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS); ASD is an undefined and cluster of multiple symptoms: cognitive, communicative, and sensory. According to Morrison (2014), “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with widely varying degrees and manifestations that has both genetic and environmental causes.” Symptoms of ASD can be seen in children as early as 6 months of age. However, not all children show signs early some children don’t show symptoms until 2 years of age. Many students due to the lack of knowledge and acceptance about ASD many children aren’t diagnoses or introduced to early interventions until they enter school, and even then some students may go under the raider because their high intellectual ability. Some symptoms that might be seen in students with ASD are: unable to play pretend games, avoid eye contact, trouble interrupting the feelings of others (including non-verbal communication), having trouble with delayed speech and language skills, over reacts to change is schedule or routine, obsessive interest, and answers questions with unrelated answers. In my experience these students lack peer communication, they often have no friends, and some prefer to play alone, peers or adults cannot comfort when they become upset. Individuals with ASD may suffer acutely from some symptoms and mildly from…

    • 1869 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Much has been studied on Autism. While doing research this reader viewed articles on behavior, coping skills, children’s development (including social skills) and therapies relating to Autism. Evidence behind Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy suggests that starting children early in a therapy setting gives them a better chance at a more “normal” life.…

    • 1503 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders STATE OF THE EVIDENC E October 2009 Report of the Children‟s Services Evidence-Based Practice Advisory Committee A C OLLABORATION OF THE M AINE D EPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES & THE MAINE D EPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders STATE OF THE EVIDENC E Report of the Children’s Services Evidence -Based Practice Advisory Committee A Collaboration of THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES & THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION October 2009 Maine Department of Education PROJECT LEADS: Department of Health and Human Services Lindsey Tweed, MD, MPH Children‟s Behavioral Health Services Department of Education Nancy Connolly, MPPM Special Services Team Prepared by: Amy Beaulieu, MSSW Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy Muskie School of Public Service University of Southern Maine The State of Maine and the University of Southern Maine make publications accessible to diverse audiences. If you need this publication in an alternative format, please contact the Muskie School at 207.626.5200 Funding for this document is through cooperative agreement…

    • 26150 Words
    • 105 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    ABA Misconceptions

    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Introduction Understanding the background of, and knowing how to implement ABA strategies based on ABA practices is essential for those that work with students who present with autism. Though the implementation of ABA can present a number of challenges in the public school setting, educators and service providers need to be aware of the misconceptions surrounding ABA as well as have awareness of what ABA is and is not (Boutot & Hume, 2010). Educators need to be aware of their own misconceptions surrounding the practices of and implementation of ABA. If people could get past the negative and possibly incorrect connotations ABA carries, practitioners could successfully implement ABA based strategies; practices which could possibly result in…

    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The article “Twelve Tips for Setting up an Autism Classroom” is about some classroom interventions to help the child with autism. The first tip is to keep the classroom structured. Children with autism like to have routines and become anxious if something changes. The second tip is to use visuals. Using visuals allow students with autism to learn faster than other methods. The third tip is using schedules. People with autism like to know what is coming next, and they feel safe by organizing their thoughts. The fourth reducing distractions. Noise and visual distractions should be reduced since a child with autism pay attention to details. The fifth tip is using the concrete language. Give short instruction and not long ones to avoid confusion for the child. The sixth…

    • 453 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Lee, G. K., & Carter, E. W. (2012). Preparing transition-age students with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders for meaningful work. Psychology in the Schools, 49(10), 988-1000. doi: 10.1002/pits.21651.…

    • 3412 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Evidence Based Practices

    • 3433 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Autism and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) has been one of the biggest misunderstood and misdiagnosed disorders. Working with children with autism presents different obstacles in regards to dealing with emotional, aggressive and depressive behaviors. This paper will show how Evidence-Based Practices can be highly effective when dealing with children with autism in the classroom, community and in the home. Further the definition of autism, ASD and what constitutes a medical/mental health diagnosis will be investigated also certain behavior problems that plague this population will be identified. In addition, Evidence-Based Practices will be explored…

    • 3433 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Autism

    • 3304 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a family of increasingly prevalent disabilities that qualify an individual for special education services in the school under PL94-142, now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Bradley et al., 2014). There have been multiple theories that have attempted to elucidate on the relative increase of ASDs in contemporary society; however, the underlying mechanism that makes one more predisposed to developing an ASD is currently unknown. Even if an individual has been diagnosed with an ASD, they should be given sufficient opportunity to excel at anything they desired to pursue. A diagnosis of an ASD does not have to be a limiting factor in the individual 's life but is only an obstacle that they must overcome to guarantee their development.…

    • 3304 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Inclusion In Education

    • 1097 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Autism is a developmental disorder, which is “diagnosed on the basis of early-emerging social and communication impairments, and rigid and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests.” The extent that these are displayed vary with age and ability, therefore an autistic spectrum was introduced to “recognise this diversity” (Frith et al., 2005, p.786). Some examples of the difficulties children with ASDs face are apparent aloofness, poor grasp of abstract concepts and feelings, as well as the difficulty to deviate from one way of doing things (Bowen et al., 2006, p.9). These examples alone exhibit why there is controversy regarding whether children with ASDs should be educated in mainstream or special schools.…

    • 1097 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Autism or autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), are a family of increasingly prevalent disabilities that qualify a child for special education services in the school under PL94-142, now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 88 American children have been identified as being on the autism spectrum- a ten-fold increase over the last 40 years (Autism Speaks Inc., 2012). With this type of growth, school counselors are sure to support these types of students often in their careers.…

    • 1384 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In today’s classroom the issue of full inclusion has created quite a debate. The principal of the least restrictive environment (LRE) mandates that students with special needs have the opportunity to be educated with non-disabled peers to the greatest extent possible. In a fully inclusive classroom, students with disabilities are in the general education classrooms and provided services and supports appropriate to their specific needs. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can be defined as a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. The learning, thinking, and problem solving abilities of individuals with ASD have a vast range. Therefore, for children with ASD to thrive…

    • 154 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays