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Children and High-Functioning Autism

July 3, 2024 by Marci

Children with high-functioning autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often face unique challenges when it comes to education, social interaction, communication, and behavior. The term “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of ability in functioning that can occur in people with ASD.

While every child on the autism spectrum is different, there are common characteristics and educational approaches that can be beneficial for children with high-functioning autism.

Interesting fact: ASD can be diagnosed at any age, but symptoms generally appear in early childhood (often within the first two years of life).

Types of High-Functioning Autism

Asperger’s Syndrome
Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
High-Functioning Autism.

Children with most forms of ASD typically have average to above-average intelligence and may excel in certain areas of academics, such as math or science, while simultaneously struggling with social interactions and communication skills.

Signs of High-Functioning Autism

Signs can vary but may include difficulty understanding social cues, limited eye contact, repetitive behaviors or speech, intense interests in specific topics, and sensory sensitivities. Children with high-functioning autism may also have difficulty expressing emotions or understanding the emotions of others.

Other signs of autism spectrum disorder include a devotion to routine or order, repetitive habits, and a relentless hyper-focus on a desire, subject, or need. Additional repetitive behaviors include rocking, twirling, flapping hands, or arranging objects in a particular order.

Interesting fact: According to the CDC, a child born in America today has a 2.8 percent chance of being diagnosed with ASD.

Educational Approaches for Children with ASD

If you suspect that your child is on the spectrum, you will want to seek a professional diagnosis and find a school that uses a combination of individualized support, social skills training, select education modalities, and behavioral interventions. Schools that are dialed into children with high-functioning autism offer additional support like visual schedules, structured routines, and opportunities for practicing social skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Interesting fact: ASD symptoms in girls may be more nuanced and difficult to notice, leading to a delayed – or completely missed — diagnosis.

High-Functioning Autism Case Study

Let’s review a case study of a high-functioning autistic boy that we’ll call Alex. This youngster illustrates the importance of early intervention and specialized education. Alex was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of five and struggled with making friends and following social cues.

Through a combination of speech therapy, social skills groups, and behavior interventions, Alex learned how to navigate social interactions and communicate effectively with his peers. With continued support and understanding from his teachers and family, Alex was able to thrive in school and develop strong friendships.

High-functioning autism is not an officially recognized medical term, but many people use it when researching or discussing how much support someone on the autism spectrum may need. Still, it is important to understand that a diagnosis, early intervention, and getting specialized help in the right school is the key to ensuring your child’s success.

Intervention for the 3 Levels of Dyslexia

April 18, 2024 by Marci

Children who struggle with sounding out words, reading, and understanding what they have read may have a learning disorder called dyslexia.

Research tells us that between five and 20% of the population are experiencing reading challenges. That’s why it is essential that we identify this learning disability early and understand that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

There are three main levels of dyslexia.

The three levels of dyslexia are:

Mild dyslexia: Children with mild dyslexia may have difficulty recognizing or processing phonemes (the smallest units of sound in a language) and may struggle with decoding words. They may also have trouble with spelling and reading fluency. These children often benefit from targeted interventions and structured literacy instruction to help them improve their reading skills.
Moderate dyslexia: Children with moderate dyslexia may have more severe difficulties with reading and language processing. They may struggle to recognize letter-sound correspondences, blend sounds together to read words, and comprehend what they read. These children may require more intensive interventions and support from specialized educators or reading specialists.
Severe dyslexia: Children with severe dyslexia have significant challenges with reading and language processing. They may have trouble recognizing letters and words, spelling words correctly, and understanding written text. These children may benefit from individualized instruction and interventions that target their specific learning needs.

CURRENT DEFINITION AND SYMPTOMS OF DYSLEXIA

Dyslexia is a learning disability that hinders a person’s ability to read by affecting spelling, writing, and comprehension skills.

Dyslexia is not a learning disability that a child will outgrow, so it’s important to pursue a diagnosis and implement strategies to improve reading ability at a young age.

Anyone can be diagnosed with dyslexia. Often, individuals with dyslexia can be very creative and intelligent yet struggle with basic reading skills. https://rockwoodprep.com/decoding-dyslexia/

Dyslexia symptoms include:

Difficulty learning new words
Delayed speech development
Difficulty with rhyming words
Confusing letters for each other
Reading below the expected level for age
Grammar issues
Problems spelling
Poor sentence structure
Lack of phonemic awareness
Avoidance of reading aloud
Difficulty copying words from a secondary source

In addition, there are subtle behavioral signs to watch for in children with dyslexia, including:

Withdrawal from peers
Depression
Misbehavior or acting out
Self-esteem issues
Peer and sibling relationship difficulties
Loss of interest in school
Appearing unmotivated or lazy

Recognizing early symptoms of dyslexia can help diagnose the disability sooner, providing a more significant overall opportunity to improve. SOURCE: neurohealthah.com

SARAH’S STORY

Sarah, a 9-year-old girl, loved school in kindergarten, seemed to withdraw in first grade and seemed unmotivated to work on homework or reading assignments. By second grade it was clear that Sarah was struggling in school and falling behind her peers in reading.

After a comprehensive evaluation, Sarah was diagnosed with moderate dyslexia. With the support of a reading specialist, Sarah began receiving targeted interventions that focused on phonics, decoding skills, and reading comprehension.

Over the next six months, Sarah’s reading skills improved, and she became more confident in her ability to read and understand written text. This led to an improvement in her motivation to work on assignments at school and at home. Sarah will continue to receive intervention help and some ABA therapy for the rest of the school year.

WHAT RESEARCH TELLS US

Research has shown that dyslexia is a neurobiological disorder that affects the way the brain processes language and reading. Studies have also identified differences in brain function and structure in individuals with dyslexia compared to typical readers^[1].

Understanding the three levels of mild, moderate, and severe dyslexia and providing appropriate interventions can help children like Sarah overcome their reading difficulties and reach their full potential.

At Rockwood Prep we know that it is essential for parents and teachers to be aware of the three levels of dyslexia and to provide targeted support and interventions for children who are struggling with reading and language processing.

By working together and implementing evidence-based practices, we can help children with dyslexia thrive academically and socially.

^[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499031/

Identifying a Sensory Processing Disorder in Children

September 18, 2023 by Marci

Identifying whether your child has a sensory processing disorder can be as simple as noticing that they have a major aversion to wearing highly textured clothing or an oversensitivity to being touched to more subtle signs like trouble staying asleep at night.

Either way, in the early formative years, children are often overwhelmed with a myriad of sensory experiences. And, while most children navigate their environment effortlessly, there are those who struggle due to sensory processing issues.

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) affects how our brains process sensory stimuli

from the things we see, hear, smell, taste, or touch. The disorder can also cause

an opposite effect, where it takes more stimuli to impact the child.

Sensory processing disorders can impede development, disrupt daily activities, and hinder a child’s ability to learn effectively. Recognizing and understanding sensory red flags is crucial for parents and teachers to provide appropriate support and to help children thrive at home and in school.

Let’s start with some interesting research about sensory processing issues.

According to a study conducted by A. Ben-Sasson et al. (2009), sensory processing issues affect up to 16% of school-aged children. The study emphasized that sensory processing difficulties can manifest in various ways, including over- or under-responsive reactions to sensory stimuli, and can significantly impact children’s daily routines and learning experiences.

A report by Christiana Butera, Pricilla Ring, John Sideris, Aditya Jayashankar, Emily Kilroy, Laura Harrison, Sharon Cermak, and Lisa Aziz-Zadeh (2020) highlighted that children with sensory processing issues often encounter challenges related to attention, social interaction, emotional regulation, and academic performance. It reinforced the notion that early identification and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in affected children.

A study conducted by S. S. Engel-Yeger et al. (2013) explored the relationship between sensory processing difficulties and motor skills in children. The findings demonstrated a strong correlation, suggesting that sensory challenges can directly impact motor development and coordination in children.

SENSORY SEEKING AND SENSORY AVOIDANCE SYMPTOMS

Some typical behaviors or symptoms of children with sensory processing disorders include diving headlong into a full range of sensory stimuli only to become overwhelmed and distressed leading to avoiding all sensory experiences.

Sensory Seeking Children

Chew non-food items
Scratch or pick their skin
Eat or drink too fast
Demonstrate excessive head-banging
Desire to jump off high things

Sensory Avoiding Children

Push away from physical touch
Run away from challenges
Often cry or are irritable
Trouble with bright lights or loud sounds
Food textures make them gag

Medical professionals don’t agree when it comes to what causes SPD. Some researchers believe there could be a link between autism and SPD, but please note that most children who have sensory processing disorders do not have autism. However, kids with sensory issues do tend to have other diagnoses, such as ADHD, anxiety, and PTSD from abuse.

SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER TREATMENTS AND TIPS

If you suspect your child is experiencing sensory challenges, consult with an occupational therapist specializing in sensory processing disorder. The purpose of an evaluation is to consider how your child’s nervous system responds to sensory stimuli through the five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. After the assessment, the occupational therapist can provide recommendations tailored to your child’s specific needs.
Create sensory-friendly environments: This is as simple as providing a quiet corner for relaxation that includes weighted blankets and fidget toys to aid in self-regulation.
Establish consistent routines: The predictability of a routine gives children a sense of security. This is best done by displaying a daily schedule with strong visual cues like photos, graphics, or other symbols, so children can see at a glance what is expected next.
Introduce sensory breaks: Regular sensory breaks throughout the day, especially during challenging tasks, give children a chance to reset their sensory systems. Suggested activities include swinging or jumping on a mini-tramp.
Work with teachers and school staff: Consistent communication between parents, teachers, and other school resource workers is a must. Don’t hesitate to share information about the child’s sensory challenges, strategies, and needed accommodations.

TRY A SENSORY DIET

A sensory diet is an excellent supplement to other sensory processing disorder therapies. Please note that a sensory diet isn’t a food diet. It is a list of sensory activities to practice at home and school. These activities are designed to help your child stay focused and organized during the day. Some ideas include:

Access to fidget toys
Listening to music on headphones while working
A 10-minute walk for every hour of school/homework
Time to swing for 10 minutes every day

Recognizing and addressing sensory red flags in children is essential for their overall development and well-being. Being aware of the research findings related to sensory challenges in children and implementing practical ideas to support them, can create an environment that fosters growth, enhances learning experiences, and allows students to reach their fullest potential.

The Secret Language of Learning Styles Part 8: Spatial-Visual

December 28, 2022 by Marci

Visual or spatial learners like to perceive, analyze, and understand all the visual information in the world around them.

Spatial learners think in pictures rather than in words. They are good at seeing the whole picture right away but tend to miss details.

Visual-spatial learners have vivid imaginations and are fun to have in the classroom because they often come up with unusual or unexpected ways to solve problems

Areas that Visual-Spatial Learners May Struggle in the Classroom are:

the sequence of steps
disorganization and lost papers
spelling and handwriting.

Students who are visual-spatial learners[1]:

tend to do better with whole-word recognition rather than phonics
benefit from using manipulatives and story problems in math instead of performing equations
do better at learning geometry
enjoy puzzles, mazes, maps, and building blocks

Speaking, writing, reading, and languages are all keys to engaging and teaching the verbal-linguistic learner. If you live in the Queen Creek, Arizona area and want to learn more about how Rockwood Preparatory Academy in Queen Creek, Arizona helps students with divergent learning styles, send an email to marci@rockwoodprep.com

[1]

Safranj J, Zivlak J. Spatial-visual intelligence in teaching students of engineering. Research in Pedagogy. 2018;8(1):71-83. doi:10.17810/2015.72

The Secret Language of Learning Styles Part 5: Logical-Mathematical

December 16, 2022 by Marci

Logical-Mathematical learners have a need to classify and categorize things. They simply find it easier to understand numbers, patterns, and equations, and simply don’t enjoy abstract and artistic concepts, like poetry and art.

These learners make decisions based on facts, logic, and common sense so that means they enjoy working in an organized environment.

Listed below are some characteristics of logical-mathematic learners:

Like to solve puzzles and riddles
Very good at recognizing patterns and relationships in sequences and numbers
Tend to write factually, with little hyperbole or embellishments

3 Tips for Working with Logical Learners

Carefully organize and prepare your lesson materials
Show students how to make bullet point lists when taking notes
Rank assignments/tasks in order of importance

Logical-Mathematic learners thrive in a classroom that is organized, methodical, and systematic. When speaking to a logical-mathematic learner use facts, symbols, and organized expressions of thought to help them to grasp concepts.

The Secret Language of Learning Styles Part 4: Linguistic

December 1, 2022 by Marci

If your child loves both written and spoken word and is naturally drawn to language in general, it is likely that they are a linguistic learner. The verbal-linguistic learning style is often confused with the auditory learning style.

While both these learning styles share some similarities, they do approach learning differently. Verbal learners learn best through the words they hear, while verbal-linguistic learners love what they hear and see.

Listed below are some characteristics of verbal-linguistic learners:

Usually possess a rich vocabulary
Enjoy reading and writing activities, word games, and crossword puzzles
Often gifted at learning new languages but struggle with math
May have difficulty spelling or visualizing information
Tend to dislike silence and enjoy participating in study groups
Easily remembers quotes, puns, and rhymes

Help your child at home by recording homework facts, then allow them to play it back as a study aid. Let your child think out loud, as they can process complex information while talking through solutions.

3 Tips for Working with Verbal-Linguistic Learners

Establishing a verbal rhythm while reading or teaching out loud helps increase memorization capabilities.
Ask your student to edit written materials. They love the complexities of word and sentence structure, and this will help them memorize concepts and facts.
Assign book reports, word problems in math, and other presentations to get your verbal-linguistic learner to engage.