asperger's

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asperger's
By Chris

I teach 3, 4 & 5 year olds. One of my students has been identified as having Autistic and Asperger "tendencies", he's too young to get a definitive (if they even can) diagnosis. Mine, is a bit of a behavior problem, but
seems to deal with transitions fairly well. What we have instituted is a PERSONAL visual schedule for him (since he can't read, it's all done in pictures). Each activity we do has an icon (picture) that was printed through Boardmaker or Picture This! and laminated. Velcro is on the back. He has a plastic board that has a strip of the matching piece of velcro, so the pictures can be

placed in order & then removed as the activity is ended. The one we have is a "store bought" thing, but a simple length of something, like a ruler, could be used to hold the schedule.
We also use timers. I have an audible one (tick-tick-DING!) and a visual one that makes no noise. The time is indicated by a red "flag" that slowly disappears as time progresses, until the red flag is gone. We use these to help him "see" that "free play" time is almost up. What I have been told re: transitions, is to give him plenty of "reminders", so that the change doesn't come as a surprise.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by classroom assignments, since 4th grade is a whole 'nother world from Early Childhood, but perhaps you can incorporate the picture/icon concept. Also, rewards, rewards, rewards. My child's mom has him on a diet, thinking this will help, so I am limited with "food" rewards (usually we use one mini MM here in ECE). You may try stickers, perhaps daily stickers leading to a bigger reward if he gets a ceratin amount by weeks end.
Hope these ideas help! Good Luck! Check the internet for Asperger's and you should be able to find some sights that will give you some insight & perhaps help. I haven't done that yet, myself (spec ed teachers are always too busy). Another resource: his family (what works for them, what are his interests that you can tie into your lessons, etc.), previous teachers, etc. My Special Ed director keeps passing on SO much literature I can wallpaper my entire house...and I have yet to read HALF of it.