Leadership Assignment for OT Class, Essay Example

Introduction

It is possible to teach those children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (AS) within the mainstream of school education.  This is particularly successful where the teachers explain the problem to the other children and they work within a supportive and inclusive environment.  Children can behave very differently, for example they may excel in solving maths puzzles but forget simple things like leaving their school bag behind.  As such there is a need for teaching strategies to take this into account.  (Klin, A.  2000).

Teaching Strategy

Individuals that have been diagnosed with AS tend to struggle with processing auditory information. In addition, difficulty in reading body language i.e. voice tones, facial expressions etc. This causes them difficulties in social integration, particularly in the infant groups.  Hence, the use of emotive icons using mouth and eyebrow expression can be a way to show the child the different gravity of emotions.  This approach can be used to teach the child how to understand what other people are thinking and ascertain their perceptions. The combination of the icon face representations, voice intonation, body language etc.,  For example a person pointing at you ( threatening behaviour)  with raised eyebrows and an angry scowl ( anger emotion),  who is talking with a raised voice (intonation) is an indication that the person is upset with you for some reason.  The teacher can use little story vignettes to try and illustrate these emotions.

Summary

Children with ASD essentially need help in aspects of social integration and problem solving. Teachers need to get these children into team work situations in order to help build their confidence and improve aspects of  social integration.  It requires the co-operation of the pupils in order that they help and assist in this process and refrain from teasing or being cruel to the AS child.

Works Cited

Klin, A. (2000). Asperger syndrome. New York: Guildford Press.