Teacher's assistant working with fragile x student(autistic) needs topic for presentation at staff meeting.

Question

need topic to speak about to co-workers, 10-15 minutes . I am stumped. any ideas?

Answer 1

I would hope that you would stress the urgency to recognize the child first and the diagnosis second.

Many children with fragile X may suffer from hyperarousal, this might be a opportune time to let them experience what hyperarousal may feel like.

Here's an example of how to do so (this was originally created by Mouse and Tracy from Developmental FX.)

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This exercise will begin to help you understand what it may feel like to be inside the body of a child with Fragile X Syndrome. Explain that this is used with good intentions to foster understanding.

  

Number off the large group…  1, 2, 3; 1, 2, 3…

 

Each small group will have a 1, a 2 and a 3.

  

Have the other two groups cover their ears and hum while you tell each group their assignment “in secret.”  Tell them when you wave your hands, they can listen again and you can tell the next group their assignment.  You don’t want each person knowing what to expect in the exercise.

  

Directions for the 1s, Numbers 2 and 3 cover your ears and hum:

Your assignment is to be the child.  You are simply going to experience what the 2s and 3s will be doing.  You don’t have to “act.”

 

  

Directions for the 2s, numbers 1 and 3 cover your ears and hum:

You are the “person of authority” in the group.  You will continue to drill the child (aka #1) for information, such as “what is your name? What is your telephone number?  Subtract 7 from 15, What's your mother's maiden name? Where do you live? How old is your father?” (or other questions or instructions such as jump up, turn around, etc)  Speak with authority.  Don’t stop drilling, regardless of what #1 and #3 or the other small groups are doing.  You don’t need to wait for the answers; just keep asking more questions.

  

Directions for the 3s, numbers 1 and 2s cover your ears and hum:

You are the “environment,” actually you are an exaggerated, overwhelming environment.  You are to get in the face and space of the child (aka #1). You can touch them, tickle them, blow on them, make noise (loud, odd, screechy…), play with their hair, spin them about, etc.  Your job is to BOTHER them and don’t stop, regardless of what #1 and #2 or the other small groups are doing.

  

Then, have the groups begin.  Stop them after a few minutes.  

 

Then process what it was like, have the #1s define how they felt.

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I've given numerous presentations to 7th grade science students, if you'd like simple handouts on where one could learn more about fragile X, and a simple top ten list about FX, contact me (through yahoo answers you can send me an e-mail).

I've also provided some links below.

Answer 2

Talk about how to promote social skills for the student---things they can do?

Answer 3

Does your student have any problems with sensitivities? I know that this is a problem for many people with autism, and it is difficult for people whose perceptions are normal to realize what boundaries are raised for people who are over- or under- sensitive to stimuli. Some children act out because they are literally driven to distraction by the seams in their socks and the tags in their clothes. Others become tense and unhappy because the lights in the classroom are too bright. Identifying these problems and taking measures to accomodate the students can make the world of difference for both the student and the classroom atmosphere in general. This is a topic that OT's specialize in, so that might be a good place for you to start looking for information.

Answer 4

how about visual strategies to enhance communcation?  like using picture schedules

Answer 5

Why don't you do a couple of handicapped simulations that they can go back and do with their own students?  Include a list of famous people with learning disabilities, and talk about how you can include your student and others with disabilities in the school community, along with some lesson ideas, books about kids with disabilities, or having a sibling with a disability, and lesson plan ideas?

Good luck!