New school year, new ideas to try

I am anxious, nervous, full of little pricks and tingles in my belly.....why??? Well, summer is over in 2 weeks and I just barely crossed off the list of projects, fun, and plans I wanted to partake in and I am assigned to a new school. YIKES!!! All new adults, kids, schedules, lingo, undertones, and rituals to learn....luckily I am in tune with people, pick up nonverbal cues easily, and know how to navigate my way in the social world. I can't help but think about my kids with Aspergers and high functioning autism.... And what they must feel knowing school starts so soon. The kids who look like they can handle the new room, new kids, new teacher, new rituals, and new nuances of a group learning to form a community, but who are not wired for these new concepts to just become meaningful. These kids need some quick notes, easy visuals, or tips in close proximity to understand their new world. Here are some ideas to make the transition smoother for ALL of your kids: 1) make videos of routine tasks which are expected of the kids in your class, for instance where papers returning to school go, how to rotate through centers, how to get started on seat work, appropriate choices for breaks or quiet time, how to ask to use the restroom, a question, for help....sounds silly, but I promise it will cut own the repetition and frustrations of saying things over and over again. Put the videos on classroom computers for easy access to review....the beauty is they will be there forever!!!! 2)Allow the kids time to connect in the first couple of days with social centers with get to know you questions, pictures from target or toys-r-us flyers to look through and discuss interests, or develop polls of movies, cartoons, characters, music and let the kids poll each other to learn how to interact and practice social skills in a small group setting. 3)Create visuals to help with daily information like schedules, rules, clean desk, or what goes in folders. Good luck! Need some more ideas or thoughts on how to structure an activity or social skills idea....post a comment! Courtney :)

Sharing Interests

So you might be wondering why I am creating this blog....I sometimes wonder myself! I have one special person in my neighborhood, Jay, who spends his days riding his bike, collecting gadgets,  explaining that autism is alright, and trying to connect with people.  He is happy to share all of his knowledge on bikes, computers, tools that you may or may not know, Elvis, remote control cars, and anything else he may have tucked in his pockets or back pack.  He wants to connect with someone, anyone, but struggles to understand all the obvious and small nuances which go along with successful communication.  He has so much to offer, but has so much difficulty connecting and sharing his passions and interests...which is why I am creating this blog. We can all learn to understand the needs individuals like Jay has, take a minute to see his treasures, and allow  him to share his interests with us.  He has many gifts to share, but is unsure, unconfident, and unaware of how to do so.  I have been lucky enough to work with many children and their families who struggle with this fight daily.  The desire to connect, the attempts to try, and the failures that leave both the children and their familes confused and unsure of what to do next.  I hope through this blog I can share some insight on how these families and their children feel, give some ideas and support to encourage connections that are safe and rewarding, and share some of the experiences I have been a part of that make my heart smile.