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Why autism education needs to change

Zoe Thompson

Our kids have missed the developmental steps that enable them to think and respond adaptively in social situations (which are everywhere in life).  Schools need to help our kids to develop these competencies otherwise they are at an unfair disadvantage compared with their typically developing peers.

In my blog, I discuss why teaching 'social skills' is not enough (and doesnt work).

http://notnigellanotjamie.blogspot.com/2011/03/why-teaching-social-skills-doesnt-work.html

Blog includes a hilarious clip of 2 toddlers having a non-verbal 'conversation'.

Enjoy!

Zoe  x

Parents

  • There's a corollary I forgot. One of the things I acquired was permanent avoidance of expression. I didn't dare gesture. Made things worse in retrospect as for many years I avoided moving my hands and kept them by my sides and avoided expression to avoid problems.

    I've seen this with other people with ASD and I wonder if the related diagnostic is to do with children avoiding the movements and expressions that got them into trouble.

    After repeated use of the same illustration, such as folding towels, I'm given to wonder if any child in that situation discovers in the end that just robotic compliance, the line of least resistance, is the best form of defence. Is that doing any good at all? I doubt it.

Reply

  • There's a corollary I forgot. One of the things I acquired was permanent avoidance of expression. I didn't dare gesture. Made things worse in retrospect as for many years I avoided moving my hands and kept them by my sides and avoided expression to avoid problems.

    I've seen this with other people with ASD and I wonder if the related diagnostic is to do with children avoiding the movements and expressions that got them into trouble.

    After repeated use of the same illustration, such as folding towels, I'm given to wonder if any child in that situation discovers in the end that just robotic compliance, the line of least resistance, is the best form of defence. Is that doing any good at all? I doubt it.

Children
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