Tutoring a 6 year-old with Autism?

Question

I will soon be tutoring a 6 year old boy with Autism. He is Japanese and I was hired to tutor him in English. I came into it knowing he had some familiarity with the english language, but not knowing he was autistic. His mom told me during our first session. It was hardly tutoring- I had little contact with him and mainly talked with his mom the whole time- he was on the computer the whole time and didnt want to do anything else. The mom thought it was good for him to be hearing us talk in English. I doubt he was paying attention, especially since he would have had to think hard about what we were saying and translate it in his mind. He was occupied with the computer video.

At first I thought Shouldnt special needs care be the kind of childcare the mother should be looking for? But I think his autism is very mild. How do I go about tutoring him in English? normally I would say 'No computer right now, we are going to study' but is that to harsh for his autism? His mom didnt say that.

Answer 1

Let him play on the computer for a while, it's his way of settling in to new surroundings. Austic children don't cope very well with change. Even when they appear not to be listening they pick up conversation without paying attention. Try talking to him at bedtime this is when they are normally most calm or read him a bedtime story. Just be patient it will all sort itself out.

Answer 2

Hello,

A couple things. I have also worked with a couple Japanese children with autism.

First, keep the language simple. This is a good rule of thumb with autism anyway. If you don't want him on the computer, "No computer. Let's work!" Would be a better choice. Or even better than that, "First work, then computer!" And if you put a put of a sing-song in your voice, this may also help his brain receive the language better.

But even better than that, as some others have said, would be to incorporate the English learning into the computer. I have had the best success with children with autism (and children in general) when I enter into their world, instead of fighting with them to come into mine.

Another thing to keep in mind is the services in Japan (if that's where you are) are VERY limited. They are no where near as developed as say America or Canada, and children who might actually have a fighting chance have slim to no chance in Japan. It's very sad.

But, it sounds like you are in a place where you could have a positive impact on this family, especially if you are able to learn a bit more about autism, and if the family is willing to let you into their lives and listen to your suggestions & ideas.

Good Luck with it. Sounds interesting.

Jessica

www.sensoryintegrate.com

Answer 3

Autistic Children love computer/ and hands on learning.

These are some good ones to try,

starfall.com, its free

there is also a special software program that I use called EdMark, it is great for Autistic children with basic reading skills.  You may have a hearder time finding it though, I would suggest you ask his spe ed teacher for some ideas as well, they may have EdMark available for you to get!!!

hope that helps

Answer 4

Find a computer game in English. Like one of those free on line preschool ones. Then back it up with coloring pages and flash cards, or some other kind of manipulative.

My autistic son does very well learning from the computer and doesn't need to be looking at me to hear the conversation. Don't be offended if he won't make eye contact. Do some research before you go back. And have mom nearby to help you translate.

Answer 5

He probably wasn't paying attention if he was playing on the computer, but whose to say he wasn't either.  Eye contact is not a big deal.  My son struggles with eye contact but that doesn't mean he's not listening or learning.  He can tell you exactly what we said 99% of the time.

If the computer is his "obession"  (almost all ASD kids have one or two) turn it around into learning time or try to find out from his mom what obessions he has and make learning English fun for him.

The thing about ASD, autistic, Aspies...is that things almost always have to be on their terms.