Alex

Meet Alex.
Grade: 7
Identification: Asperger’s Syndrome and Gifted
Strengths: Language, at a high school level in oral and written communication. Excels in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Curiosity about how and why things work.
Academic Challenges: getting stuck on details (hyperfocus), easily frustrated – especially in Math. Interested in Art, becomes frustrated when his work does not come out as planned.
Social Challenges: shy, stubborn, interrupts others, difficulty reading social cues, difficulty making eye-contact, empathy, he is self aware and knows that there are differences between him and the other classmates, but he does not know what to do about them. Often has one-sided conversations. Doesn’t know how to manage his frustrations.
Alex’s needs (issues stemming from social interactions, calling out, arguing, etc) often get him in trouble. His teacher spends much of her time calming him down and sorting out arguments, which leaves little time for him to challenge and extend his thinking by capitalizing on his academic strengths (giftedness).
Setting: Regular classroom placement, 6/7 split in his home school. Urban setting in Toronto, ON with over 500 students, active parent community. Resource Room but Alex does not like to visit.
Separate office area in the Resource Room – Alex feels comfortable here one-on-one

Tuesday, 1 March 2011

References

Bianco, M., Carothers, D., & Smiley, L. (2009, March). Gifted Students with Asperger Syndrome: Strategies for Strength Based Programming. Intervention in School and Clinic.  Austin: 44(4), 206-215.  Retrieved February 17, 2011, From Proquest.

Cash, Abbey B. (1999, September). A Profile of Gifted Individuals with Autism: The Twice-Exceptional Learner. Roeper Review, 22.1, 22-27. Retrieved  February 17, 2011, from ProQuest

Meirsschaut, Mieke, Herbert Roeyers, and Petre Warreyn. (2010, October). The social interactive behaviour of young children with autism spectrum disorder and their mothers: Is there an effect of familiarity of the interaction partner? Autism 15, 43-64. Retrieved  February 14, 2011, from Sagepublishers (DOI: 10.1177/1362361309353911)

Nelson, Dorta. (2003, March).  Making the grade:  A new classroom for children with asperger’s and other pervasive development disorders.  The Exceptional Parent, 33(3), 44-45.  Retrieved February 13, 2011, from ProQuest Education Journals.  (Document ID: 320211841).

Ashley, Susan. The Asperger's Answer Book - The top 300 Questions Parents Ask.  Napierville, Illinois: Sourcebooks Inc.  2007.  Pages 220-223.

http://www.autismontario.com/client/aso/ao.nsf/web/Our+Vision+for+Education
Retrieved from the World Wide Web February 20, 2011


It is helpful for Alex and his peers to have resources available to them to help them to understand what Aspergers is and how it affects the individual, his family and friends.  The following is a list of resources, geared specifically to older children and teens,  which may assist in this respect:

Books
Welton, J. (2003). Can I Tell You About Asperger Syndrome?: A Guide for Friends and Family.  London, UK, Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Attwood, T. (2008). The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome. London, UK, Jessica Kingsley Publishers

O’Neill, J. (1999). Through the Eyes of Aliens: A Book About Autistic People.  London, UK, Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Jackson, L. (2002). Freaks, Geeks & Aspergers Syndrome. London, UK, Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Websites
http://aspergerteens.com/
 
Movies
Temple Grandin (2010)


Ziggurat model-http://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/disabilities/autism/enews/2007/v5_2_oct_07.pdf

Walker, H.M. (1983). The ACCESS program: Adolescent curriculum for communication and effective social skills: Student study guide. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Zins, J., Weissbert, R., Wang, M., & Walberg, H. (2004). Building academic success on social and emotional learning: What does the research say? New York: Teachers College Press.

Social Skills Interventions for Children with Asperger’s Syndrome
or High-Functioning Autism: A Review and Recommendations
Patricia A. Rao Æ Deborah C. Beidel Æ Michael J. Murray-Published online: Springer: 20 July 2007

http://www.myaspergerschild.com/2010/06/behavioral-interventions-for-aspergers.html

Dr. Aspy-The Ziggurat Model (2007) http://www.texasautism.com/AboutBook.html

Red and Green choices
http://www.redandgreenchoices.com/about.htm



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