Part+2+-+Group+5

=Group 5 - Part 2 - Chapter 4=

Describe one way to strengthen the characteristic learning needs of students with ASD.
Contributors: Jennifer-Marie Landry, Cheryl Beaumont, Judy Wallman

One of the five ways to strengthen the characteristic learning needs of a student with ASD is...

1. Focus on needs and strengths outlined in the student profile. " Instruction that focuses on student strengths can provide a means of compensating for areas of student weakness or need, encouraging the acquisition of new skills, and reducing the student’s frustration" (28 Feb 2011 []).

2. Motivation and Interests: I think that good practice looks like a teacher finding out interests of each individual student, whether they are special needs or not. But key here is that a relationship needs to be built between the ASD student and teacher in order for the teacher to fully know how to motivate this type of learner. Too many times the EA is the adult who is building that relationship with our special learners. Teachers need to understand that relationships with these learners are so key in understanding and learning about them. Ok, so there is my rant! It is proven over and over again that what works for one, may not work for the whole. So for me, the main piece here is developing that relationship and having an open mind to maybe trying things you haven't before!

3. Structure, routine, and predicability. This does not mean forcing a student to follow a strict routine. Their learning environment should provide just the right amount of consistency and structure. Students should be aware of where things are, what is expected of them and what they should expect to happen next. It is important to remember that each students is different and some students may require more structure than others.

4. Responsiveness to visual support Students may not understand oral language or social cues; therefore, visual reminders or cues are essential for understanding. For instance, a multiple choice test offers answers - students need to select the right answer rather than having to come up with their own answer.

What is the process for teaching a new skill or activity?
Contributors: Cheryl Beaumont,

The process for teaching a new skill or activity involves three important steps: 1. observe student -observe the student in an environment where they have many activities to choose from. 2. prioritize and prepare -choose an activity/skill -break it into smaller, manageable parts -select reinforcers -decide on an appropriate environment 3. teach new skill/activity -introduce the activity and reinforcer -teach using gestures, physical cues, etc to explain that the student must do the task first, then get the reinforcer -uses prompts if necessary -reinforce

__Judy Wallman's response__ One of the things that stands out for me the most is that ASD students (as well as other learners) need reinforcements: social or concrete. If we want to see the new skill become ingrained, then we need to reinforce it when we see it, the goal being to lesson the reinforcement. This is interesting to me because our school is learning about a whole school approach where the philosophy is to provide kids with little to no concrete or social reinforcers. This piece of the document reconfirms for me what I believe works for all types of learners: they need to know what they did well and that you want to see it again!