ASPERGERS SYNDROME AND GIFTEDNESS Presented by Dee Free
ASPERGER’S SYNDROME AND GIFTEDNESS Presented by: Dee Free Karen Klein Diane Le. Fevers Joy Albano June 4, 2014
“THIS CHILD IS SO…. ” §Quirky §Obsessive §Clumsy §Awkward
FAMOUS AND AUTISTIC? Thomas Jefferson ~genius ~shy ~inability to relate to people ~poor eye contact ~sensitive to loud noises
FAMOUS AND AUTISTIC? Albert Einstein ~genius ~repeated sentences obsessively ~had no friends as a child ~shunned intimacy ~described as being in his own world
FAMOUS AND AUTISTIC? Bill Gates ~socially awkward ~high intelligence ~single-minded focus ~flat tone of voice ~rocking motion
FAMOUS AND AUTISTIC? Susan Boyle ~above average IQ ~bullied as a child ~shy ~relationship difficulties ~struggled in school ~artistically gifted
IS IT ASPERGER’S SYNDROME? Autism: Autism Spectrum Disorder is a group of complex disorders of brain development Asperger’s Syndrome: A high functioning form of Autism; a lifelong disability that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information, and relates to people
ASPERGER’S CHARACTERISTICS ~Average or above in measured intelligence ~Difficulties with social interactions ~Stereotypical behaviors and interests: repetitive movements, sensory sensitivity, poor motor coordination, compulsive repetition, and intense area of interest NOTE: Gifted children who are quiet or intense may be misdiagnosed as having Asperger’s Syndrome
SORTING ACTIVITY Within your group: ~Open your envelope and sort the characteristics into two categories: Gifted Child Gifted with Asperger’s
GIFTED, ASPERGER’S OR BOTH? Gifted Child *Sees the whole picture Gifted Child with Asperger’s *Tends to focus on parts & patterns *Insight is unusually good *Are not blinded by common assumptions (due to lack of insight about the feelings, needs, and interests of others) *Can see multiple solutions to *Sees one correct solution to a problem *May have language of an *Pedantic, seamless speech older child *Early development of reading *Early development of with extensive vocabulary; reading with extensive
TEACHERS OF GIFTED ASPERGERS’ CHILD What should we do? *Use their interests to motivate *Increase structure, predictability and consistency throughout the day to reduce anxiety – graphic organizers, maintain schedule, smooth transitions *”Chunk” long term projects *Use precise and concise language *Assign pairs/groupings based on interests *Monitor peer interactions (watch for signs of bullying, , growing frustration) *Role play difficult social challenges *Provide an atmosphere where the student will feel accepted
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS 1. Which of the following is characteristic of a person with Asperger’s Syndrome? a. They do not see the big picture and focus on parts and patterns. b. Speech patterns are often pedantic, and delivered in a flat affect. c. Are able to immerse themselves in material and often hyper-focus. d. All of the above
ANSWER #1 1. Which of the following is characteristic of a person with Asperger’s Syndrome? a. They do not see the big picture and focus on parts and patterns. b. Speech patterns are often pedantic, and delivered in a flat affect. c. Are able to immerse themselves in material and often hyper-focus. d. All of the above
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS 2. One way a gifted student with Asperger’s differs from a gifted student is: a. The AS gifted student sees the whole “big” picture. b. The AS gifted student has good insight. c. The AS gifted student has pedantic, seamless speech. d. The AS gifted student sees multiple solutions to a problem.
ANSWER #2 2. One way a gifted student with Asperger’s differs from a gifted student is: a. The AS gifted student sees the whole “big” picture. b. The AS gifted student has good insight. c. The AS gifted student has pedantic, seamless speech. d. The AS gifted student sees multiple solutions to a problem.
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS 3. Which of the following is a way to differentiate for an AS student? a. Provide multiple worksheets for student to practice skills. b. Teach social skills through scenarios and role playing. c. Encourage student to work in an unstructured environment. d. Allow the student to complete and present all assignments to “The Happy” song.
ANSWER #3 3. Which of the following is a way to differentiate for an AS student? a. Provide multiple worksheets for student to practice skills. b. Teach social skills through scenarios and role playing. c. Encourage student to work in an unstructured environment. d. Allow the student to complete and present all assignments to “The Happy” song.
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS 4. Why should a teacher provide the AS gifted student with open-ended questions? a. To support creative and critical skills b. To support problem solving and decision-making skills. c. Open ended questions are easier to grade and teachers hate true/false assessments. d. Both a and b
ANSWER #4 4. Why should a teacher provide the AS gifted student with open-ended questions? a. To support creative and critical skills b. To support problem solving and decisionmaking skills. c. Open ended questions are easier to grade and teachers hate true/false assessments. d. Both a and b
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS 5. Which teaching accommodations are helpful to a gifted child with AS? a. The teacher sends the student to Ms. Chans’s office for extended periods of the day. b. Provide visual, auditory, and tactile methods of input. c. Frequent use of organizers, diagrams, and concrete visual images. d. Both b and c.
ANSWER #5 5. Which teaching accommodations are helpful to a gifted child with AS? a. The teacher sends the student to Ms. Chans’s office for extended periods of the day. b. Provide visual, auditory, and tactile methods of input. c. Frequent use of organizers, diagrams, and concrete visual images. d. Both b and c.
B N U A. T M WW N: / / W I A R H T T P E C H O P . C O M /W A T C H /2 9 6 3 0 6 5
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