Adele Devine's Blog - Posts Tagged "autism"

Teachers stay in school late to make the hall look like this, but not ALL children will like it.

Decorations

School decorations trigger memories and make my heart beat faster. My mouth is dry and my palms are suddenly sweaty. I LOVE Christmas. I LOVE our home decorations, but I don't like waiting . I cope with school by knowing a lot of the routines. I mentally prepare and plan my day, but now none of my strategies or safety supports are going to work. When the school hall changes I know that we are at the start of that unpredictable run up to Christmas. Other children's faces light up with joy, but I feel alone and anxious.

Good Morning

There won't be time today. We are decorating our class tree. We are supposed to be happy. It's going to be fun. The teacher doesn't talk through our scedule because "we don't need to". We are in mad Chrismas mode.

Numeracy

(Which is still up on our schedule) is suddenly ‘play rehearsal’. We stand about and listen to teachers talking and then moving us about. There is the awful singing and kids ‘playing’ random instruments. Why?

Being dressed up and on stage makes me feel anxious.

I would rather stay in class and hide.

Staff absences

Our teaching assistant is off sick with ‘Flu’ and has not been replaced so I have to wade through this minefield without my all smiling, all knowing guide...

My eyes hurt, my head aches, but I’m not ill enough to stay at home – ‘attendance records’, the ‘importance of routine’ and all that…

Science

We are adding glitter to snowflakes. I usually like science. Mrs White has been replaced by Mrs '?', who seems to find fun in getting glitter everywhere… The mix it up kids take advantage and could do ANYTHING, any minute... she starts to shout. Shouting is my worst thing. Why is she punishing me? Injustice and pain!

Literacy

We are making Christmas lists, but the things I SO want are NOT in their catalogues. I need to go on the computer to make my list, but get an instant “No.” I try to get to the computer anyway because my list needs to be right. Now the teacher is really cross and gives me a sad face to hold. I feel really, really sad and do nothing while the other children make their lists. “You won’t get presents if you don’t make a list” – that throw away comment from the parent helper feels like a knife stabbing my heart.

Santa watching

“Santa is watching” they say and I know I’m not managing Santa’s “good”, but I’m trying so hard with all the noise, the change, the anxiety and the sensory overload.

Then there is that final straw - The Christmas Fayre (in front of everyone).

Time to see Santa. I wait and I manage the noise, the smells and those flickering lights… I take the gift. I say "thank you" as rehearsed. I endure the flash of the camera, shading my eyes with my flat present. And that’s when I realise – Santa has given me a picture book! After all that!

I feel so mad. All those strategies they’ve taught me about counting, deep breathes and asking for time out don’t help me. My foot flies up out of nowhere and before I know what is happening I’ve kicked him. I’ve kicked him right in the knee and he’s hurt. I can’t look at him. I want to sink into the ground and disappear. I’ve kicked Santa! I feel bad – totally and utterly bad all through. And suddenly I’m hitting out at everyone because I’m angry with myself and I want them to disappear too.

Home

I know that my parents are ‘disappointed’, but they say nothing. They let me be – not because they are soft or think kicking Santa is okay, but because they know me.

They know I need some time to process, to think, to work the whole thing out and I already feel really, really sorry…

It wasn’t even Santa that made me mad, it was the muddle, the confusion, the list and all that talk.

Still on the good list


I might not manage ‘good’, see things or react as you expect me to, but I do try harder that anyone can know.

Christmas changes are hard to handle.

Listen to me, watch me and try to understand.

Give me time, give me unconditional love, get to know me as an individual and set me up to succeed because with your support I CAN!



NOTE: This is based on the experiences of the many children with autism I have taught. It will not be the experience of ALL children with autism, but is written to highlight some issues, which can cause anxiety and trigger challenges.

 

My Top Ten Tips for Teachers

1) Have a social story™ explaining that it will all go back to normal after the holiday.

2) Have a visual calendar counting down the days to the end of term and showing changes to the usual schedule.

3) Have an area that remains normal so a child can escape Christmas. Show them. Say you go there when Christmas gets too much.

4) Keep as much routine in place as possible. Let them know they can tell a teacher if they feel worried or overloaded.

5) Avoid leaving tempting treats on display and mystery gifts wrapped up until the end of term. Waiting is hard.

6) Unfamiliar noises, textures, smells, taste, touch and lighting may be disturbing. The usual things can become upsetting too.

7) If they don’t want to see Santa let them opt out – it’s meant to be fun. Make some allowances, reduce some demands. Choose your battles.

8) Be aware of sensory issues when dishing out parts that need costumes. Dressing in different clothes can cause real discomfort and anxiety.

9) Communicate with home and be aware of triggers. Let parents know they can email you if something is causing anxiety.

10) Show you understand that it is hard – give praise, stickers or additional reward time. Be proud of them.

 



SEN Assist http://www.senassist.com/

Colour Coding For Learners with Autism: A Resource Book for Creating Meaning Through Colour at Home and School. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colour-Coding...