Can someone tell me how to help a student with Asperger's syndrome succeed in his art class?

Question

I have a wonderful 5th grade student with Asperger's that is having meltdowns every day in his art class. He does not want to do anything the art teacher asks him to do. I think it is because she just doesn't understand that what she sees as the student being non-compliant or difficult is actually a manifestation of his disability. I want to make accommodations and/or modifications to the art assignments, but I must admit...that is not something there is a lot of information on. I can do that for all other subjects, but art is completely different thing. Any information or experience on what to do for for students with Asperger's in the area of art would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I find that if I infuse my son's passion (obsession) or area of interest into ANY thing, he instantly becomes interested.

Art should be the one area he is free enough to express that. Maybe the art teacher is just a control freak and a jerk.

Answer 2

I have aspergers myself and I have zero art ability.  Not one drop.  However, if you were to give me a paint by numbers book, I could work that.  I suspect he is the same way.  Try to make it a math project, otherwise he wont be able to  figure it out.

Other aspies do have artistic ability, Mozart, etc, but not me.

Oh yeah, if he is having meltdowns, its nearly always because something changed.  Even something trivial will do it.

Answer 3

I would have a parent, teacher, principal, art teacher, counselor, and paraeducator conference. Everyone needs to get together and create an IEP/504 plan for this child.  This will help all parties understand his rights. One thing that some school districts have is a paraeducator who can help the child during those times of problem. My friends son is on one and he has a person who comes and gives him individualized attention during certain classes that give him problems. Art is one of them for him too. They do modifications for him ( more time, different expectations). Your school district should have the resources to help with this as that IEP and 504 are areas that need specialized attention.

Answer 4

My cousin and friend both have aspergers syndrome. You should try getting art to be something similar to what he likes. For example, my cousin is eleven years old and loves video games. I would find something that he could draw or paint that was from his video game, or learn to make a comic thats similar to the video game.

This is a little random, but in America's Next Top Model there's a girl with asperger's syndrome who is also an artist. She said that one reason why she seems to have less severe aspergers than others and than what she used to have is because one thing the did when drawing is pay attention to the emotion in her drawings. Therefore she learned to look people in the eye and it helped her social disability.

Answer 5

well i mean the beauty of art is it is able to be interprited in many ways. ask the student if he understands the assignment. if he doesnt understand try to break it down for him. if he understand but just thinks he isnt good enough then help him understand that his art doesnt have to look like the other kids because its HIS art not theirs. then maybe show him some abstract art, like find some online and print it out and show him. get a picasso that represents a person and then find a portrait painting of a person and show him that it doesnt have to look like the rest to be just as good. maybe you can instill a deep love of art in him by showing him that. often people with learning disabilities in one area exell in another. also full blown asutistic people have memories better than even the smartest "normal" person. just let him express himself and he will be less hard to work with, make him feel comfertable.

also we all know the saying "children can be cruel". that is said because young kids are as blunt as proverbial baseball bats. and because young kids may not understand why he is different they may tease him and make him feel inferior because he is different. let him know he is just as good as the other kids but in his own way.

dont lower the standards, he isnt stupid he is just different. grade his artwork as harshly as the rest but keep in mind his art is his own and again the beauty of art is it is interpritable in many ways. also its only 5th grade so its not like if he gets a low grade he is doomed to repeate the class.

hope i helped. and sorry about the gramar and spelling errors. the check spelling wasnt working

Answer 6

research treatment or some type of therapy

Answer 7

The negative attitude of the teacher affects this autistic child more than you can understand. They can't communicate as well as they would like, but they have feelings and are VERY sensitive. They judge a person's character almost immediately. I've seen with my own autistic child that if someone doesn't agree with my child, there will never be a good relationship.

Writing is hard for the autistic, so drawing would be no easier. You may also be dealing with a perfectionist's mind set, and they are not willing to accept what they think is sub standard. This will require a LOT of encouragement from you to convey to the child that their work is good. Occupational therapy might help too.

Meltdowns are a result of FEAR. Autistic children have many fears. They are under a lot of pressure coming from within themselves to "match" what the other kids are doing. It's like knowing you're not good enough and not being able to practice to achieve better.

I've heard that some of the pressure can be relieved by movement. Crab walking ( on all  4's with belly up), or something to draw the pressure to the middle of the body, away from the head can help.

I'm a fan and proponenent of counselling and therapy. I have seen these work. Consistency is key. counselling schedules must be kept as much as humanly possible.

This 5th grader needs an IEP to explain and cover this issue regarding art. The art teacher will HAVE to comply with the IEP. The 5th grader needs goals: today we're going to try stay in the art room for 10 minutes without a fuss. ( don't focus on the work, focus on the child's needs). When the goal is met, offer a reward, okay _____, you can have 10 minutes computer time. Or, 10 minutes in art without a fuss and we'll take a walk down the hall. Promise this child stress relief. It might take a couple weeks before you see a change in the behavior, but a plan with a goal and reward should work. Nothing is 100%, but it's the recommended option.

I can't tell you how to modify the assignments. I'm a parent not an educator. I've been working my own autistic child for 2, going on 3  years now. We use therapy, OT, speech therapy, and meds. We have goals and rewards. We set limits and boundaries and work to help my child deal with life in a realistic way. It's not foolproof. It does show success.

Answer 8

Asperger people are often very creative and gifted, they just see and think a little differently from others. The frustration and meltdowns come from the lack of understanding, school can often bore them like my son and like myself they do not just paint a picture, there is usually so much more to it for them.

The se are the children who often push boundaries, new concepts. Aspergers children can also be very stubborn if do not agree with what being told, like to do in there own way or not at all.

I say to NT's if you were continually being told you are wrong for thinking and seeing the way you do, wouldn't you become confused and frustrated.

He really probably finds the work basic and boring, pointless, as asperger children quite often have very complex minds. Really listen to him, or let him take control of what he wants to do, but unfortunately like my son if art is not want he wants to do, it is very differicult to be able to get him to focus, talk with him, as good communication really makes a difference, if he feel you are listening to him - you may see a total turn around.

I'm an aspie and so is my 13 year old son and really find understand, rather than trying to change too much is the key.

Good luck if you want to visit me andb my son can on our web site www.asplanet.info

Answer 9

I would try and limit the creative element required and give him something more formulaic. With most kids, it's good to give them the tools, a basic idea of what to do with them, then leave them to figure it out by playing around. Perhaps it would be better to start him off with copying a picture with pencils, then with pastels, charcoal and paints. The same picture if he's happy with that. Then talk about how each picture looks different. Charcoal looks smudgy. What kind of pictures would look better if they were black and smudgy? Etc. If you get anywhere with that, have him draw a picture using two of the above. Maybe the eyes with pencils, but the lashes with pastels so it looks like mascara.

Letting him wear gloves so he doesn't get dirty might help, especially with clay work. You can do copying that way too. Get a book of African art or something and have him copy the statues. Work that requires looking at different faces and body language?

I'm just guessing, the only person with Asperger's I know is an adult.

Answer 10

my son has Asperger's and most of the time they have a few things that they constantly talk about or know about more than others.  My son is very concrete in his thinking process and takes everyhting as said, so in art the teacher may have to break it down into other terms that the child can understand or give him the option of drawing whatever interst him or her. some art classes can be noisy and that is a very big distraction for some with aspergers and it is too much, stimulation for the student and the brain starts going in 100,  different directions at once trying to process everything.   takes a little longer for some with aspergers to process what was said. and most kids with aspergers have a big issue with change

Answer 11

Isn't art an elective? Does he need to or want to participate? Maybe there is an alternative activity he can do at that time?

IF this is not an option consider 1st providing the art teacher with specific information about Asperger's syndrome. Sit down with her and explain the disability so she understands that this is not just "misbehavior" but a manifestion of his disability. SEcond you need to specifically determine what is it about the art activity that is causing this student difficulty? IF he doesn't understand the directions can you get the assignment/ directions ahead of time and do some pre-teaching or preparing the student ahead of time so when he hears the directions the second time in class he is already  clear on the assignment. During the pre-teaching session you can also determine if there is something that is too hard for him and modify it on the spot that he can succeed (again of course always communicating this back to the art teacher)  I know communication is an issue, but also work with him on how to ask clarifying questions when something is unclear to him. This is a life skill that will help him go far. Also you can provide the student with ways to escape if he cannot cope that are more appropriate (of course you have to teach the art teacher what these are and how to honor these), but can he ask for a break or to go for a walk or something when he is overwhelmed. Is there an activity or something that can help him re-focus and organize himself when he becomes upset? Sounds like you are working hard on behalf of this student and he benefits having you in his corner!

Answer 12

Art is typically a strength of someone with Asperger's.  These kids are wonderfully visual and have wonderful visual memories.  I had a student that could draw amazing cartoons.  Maybe he's just overwhelmed with what is being asked of him.  Could it be that it's too complicated.  What if he was able to complete the task on a smaller scale.  Or better yet, if he could do something art related (not necessarily what the others are doing) that he loves (simple drawing, painting, molding objects etc.) until he gets comfortable with the art room, teacher and class in general.  Maybe there is stimulus in the room that he's not fond of... smells, over stimulating classrooms, noises etc. often set these kids off.  I know it's hard, but try to jump into his shoes to see what's bothering him.  Maybe even ask him to draw or write what he likes/dislikes about art.   It sounds like the teacher has to take a little more time to get to know him.  Maybe then she'll have some suggestions on how to "hook" him.  But in the mean time, play to his strengths and try to discover what's bugging him.  Best of luck.  These are the best kids to work with.  They are so fun, but can be very challenging!

Answer 13

If the teacher tells him he is doing something incorrectly he will likey have a melt down. If the teacher is too rigid with her assignments he will likely have a melt down. If he has sensory issues...he may have a meltdown if working with a medium that bothers him. He is likely a perfectionist and anything less than perfection in his eyes will likely cause a melt down.

work up a behavior support plan.

List accommodations such as:

    Avoid negative comments.

    Modify assignments to fit students interests

    Modify assignments as needed to accommodate sensory issues

     allow extra materials to start over if desired

    provide alternate assignments to accomodate fine motor delays(common in Asperger's)

     provide one to one aide as support person in low structure setting(such as art-recess etc)

    another accomodation worth trying is:

  * have student participate with class during the lecture/lesson- but allow the child free choice for projects.

   These kids will remember the lesson...but may need time to mull it over before executing the technique.

The teacher needs to understand that an a.s. child will take criticism...extremely personal. They don't see it as something to help them learn...they see it as just another person telling them they are stupid. A lot of these kids don't realize that everyone makes mistakes. They think it's just them

Good luck

Answer 14

My aspie daughter's gift is art.  She is also in 5th grade.  

One of the main problems w/ my daughter is that she is a perfectionist.  Sometimes, if she feels that she cannont get something right in her eyes, it's a major deal - to the point that she rather quit than go on.  So we approch this problem not through the content of the assignment, but more on how she reacts in the situation.

I think schools don't realize that accomodations really need to be made not only for academics, but for music, art, and PE.  I think these classes are often overlooked when creating goals for the AS and HFA kids.

So, it may be not that he doesn't want to do what she asks of him, but rather his feeling like he can't do it so he doesn't even want to try.