Where are We in Improving the Quality of Life of Individuals with ASD? Theory of Mind. Language and Social Challenges

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1 Understanding the Hidden Curriculum Brenda Smith Myles SST 10, Dayton OH September 18, Where are We in Improving the Quality of Life of Individuals with ASD? Independent living Employment Friendships and other relationships Community participation What is the focus in school, as a whole? Are we teaching meaningful skills? And utilizing our limited time with those with ASD? 2 Theory of Mind Difficulty in Predicting Reading intentions Understanding emotions Explaining own behavior Perspective or reference Reading and reacting to others interests Understanding social interactions Language and Social Challenges Nonverbal communication Initiating and maintaining social interactions Literalness Perspective taking Hidden curriculum Cause/effect relationships Difficulty conveying own thoughts May not use social niceties 3 4 Central Coherence Idiosyncratic focus Preference for the known Difficulty in choosing and prioritizing Difficulty seeing connections Lack of compliance Get the facts and draw the wrong conclusion Do Not Understand the Seemingly Obvious Expectations Assumptions Unstated social rules, mores, guidelines This is often called the Hidden Curriculum 5 6

2 Problem Solving One way of viewing a problem Stuck thinking Sees facts instead of a whole Problems with cause and effect Does not see problems as having more than one option Problem solving is often literal Pseudo-Logic Is extremely logical, but the logic is very unique based on that student s perspective Spencer and his exams 7 8 Executive Function Difficulty in Perceiving emotions Imitating others Planning Starting and stopping Organizing (time, self, space) Special Interests and Obsessions Narrow interests Not permanent Often appear uncontrollable Role of the interest: interest; fun; security, comfort; relaxation; stress reduction 9 10 Sensory and Brain Function Filtering What is in the head comes out of the mouth -- sometimes with disastrous effects 11

3 The Sensory Systems (it all starts here) Mirror Neurons & Imitation One of the most basic modes of learning Imitation is used across the lifespan and across environments Mirror neurons impact imitation When attempting to engage in an activity by modeling When observing someone engaging in an activity 14 Mirror Neurons Mirror Neurons EEG traces showing mu rhythm modulation during rest, execution of a grasping movement, and passive observation of a human model performing a grasping movement. It can be seen that mu rhythm amplitude decreases during both action execution and action observation. Some Co-Morbid Conditions Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Oppositional Defiant Disorder Depression (including major depression) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Tourette Syndrome Elective Mutism Bipolar Disorder LePage, J., & Theoret, H. (2007). The mirror neuron system: Grasping others actions from birth? 15 Developmental Sciences, 10, Challenges Reading other people s minds and intentions Understanding cause and effect Seeing the big picture Planning and organizing Understanding social interactions Sensory challenges Learning by hearing Problem solving Challenges Understanding how they feel and changing their emotions -- self-regulation Sensory -- overly sensitive and under-sensitive Daily living skills Know what they have control of and what they don t Getting stuck in a situation; moving on Knowing what is important and what is not Common sense 17 18

4 Strengths Rote memory Persistence Desire to interact with others Loving Ability to learn, especially visually Performance in predictable situations (especially when the situations have a visual component) Adherence to rules and routines, once understood Compassion 19 Goals and Challenges To learn social skills and engage in social interactions To gain daily living skills To understand self, particularly as it relates to sensory and emotional needs To learn problem-solving skills To learn academic content 20 Hidden Curriculum The set of unwritten rules that no one has been directly taught, but everyone knows. Violations of these rules can make an individual a social outcast. Phrase associated with hidden curriculum: I shouldn t have to tell you but Everyone knows that It s obvious Differs across Hidden Curriculum Age Who you are with Gender Culture Impact of the Hidden Curriculum School Home Work Community Legal System The Hidden Curriculum Often includes definitions: Rules (not only for games) Directions (not only for driving) Emergencies What exactly is an emergency? 23 24

5 Hidden Curriculum Items If one small incident occurs and the teacher corrects you, it does not mean the entire day is bad. You should talk to teachers in a pleasant tone of voice because they will respond to you in a more positive manner. They also like it if you smile every once in a while. If someone says, Does this make me look fat?, the answer is always an automatic and emphatic NO. If you cannot do this rapidly -- practice The goal of social skills is generally to make others feel good about themselves; it is not to make you feel good It is okay to choose friends based on similar interests A police officer is always right and should not be corrected on small details Looking at your watch and saying, My, look at the time. I am sorry I have to go is an acceptable way to leave. 27 When someone says My, look at the time. I am sorry I have to go, you might want to think about the conversation as this is generally an excuse If you want to stay at an event a few minutes, announce, I am sorry, but I need to leave at x:xx, I (then create a reasonable excuse -- decided beforehand and checked with someone you trust) 28 When your teacher gives you a warning about behavior and you continue the behavior, you are probably going to get in trouble. If you stop the behavior immediately after the first warning, you will probably not get in trouble. Do not tell other students they smell and need to wear deodorant. 29 When a teacher tells another student to stop talking, it is not a good idea to start talking to your neighbor since the teacher has already expressed disapproval of that action. When hearing someone speak using incorrect grammar, do not correct him every time, especially in a critical manner. 30

6 Not all teachers have the same rules for their class. Some teachers do not allow any talking unless you raise your hand. Others may allow talking if you are not disruptive to other students. It is important to know the rules different teachers have for their class. The rules will always change from teacher to teacher and it will not do any good to focus on the fact that it is not fair. 31 If you don t know something, be an active learner. Ask questions, ask for resources Remember that you are a visual learner and that learning through watching is a great method. 32 Other Hidden Curriculum Areas Airplane/airport Friends Eating Public/private swimming pools School rules Bathroom/shower/locker room One a day An Overwhelming Task At home At school In the community Grab the teachable moment Real Simple Idioms and metaphors The HC Curriculum Series The Hidden Curriculum Calendar Book DVD Bringing Up Parents: The Teenager s Handbook by Alex J. Packer, Ph.D. 35 Autism Asperger Publishing Company

7 How Rude! The Teenagers Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior, and Not Grossing People Out by Alex J. Packer, Ph.D. The Amelia Bedelia Treasury by Peggy Parish A Little Book of Manners for Boys by Bob and Emilie Barnes More Help! Another Absolutely Indispensable Guide to Life for Girls American Girl Library The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls American Girl Library 41 42

8 Practical Solutions to Everyday Challenges for Children with Asperger Syndrome by Haley Myles 43 No B.O.!: The Head-to-Toe Book of Hygiene for Preteens by Marguerite Crump 2008 ASA Literary Award Winner As A Gentleman Would Say: Responses to Lifeʼs Important (and Some Times Awkward Situations) By John Bridge & Bryan Curtis More Books The Idiot s Guide series The Dummies Guide series 47 48