Have you often wondered why a student in your class behaved oddly, in spite of being a brilliant student? Some examples of these odd behaviors -

"He speaks his mind, not bothering to check who he is speaking to or what the whole picture is. It is often difficult to control his tongue”!

“She has difficulty when the routine is changed. She becomes very anxious and gets fidgety and starts to behave or speak oddly."

Asperger Syndrome is considered one form of Autism Spectrum Disorder and can co-exist with other disorders such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Children with Asperger Syndrome have difficulty recognizing facial expressions, sarcasm, and teasing, and struggle to adapt to unexpected changes in routine. Their interests tend to be very narrow, and this can limit their capacity to relate to others.

It is particularly important for mainstream teachers to be aware of Asperger Syndrome as is referred to as the "invisible syndrome" as individuals with Asperger Syndrome have average to above average levels of IQ and can get missed out or misdiagnosed.

This program aims at equipping you as a teacher to understand why the child acts in a particular way and how you can support that child in your classroom and in school, with available resources.

Mr. Tim, a brilliant speaker, will address the following core deficits in Asperger Syndrome while providing fun and ready-to-use management strategies for the same -

• Theory of Mind
• Executive Functions
• Central Coherence
• Emotional Intelligence

Example of how ‘theory of mind’ plays out in a child with Asperger Syndrome – At 5 months of age, typical toddlers can recognize different facial expressions and learn to use it (may look at mother’s face for cues about whether it is safe to approach an unfamiliar person). But a five year old child with Asperger Syndrome who may have very good speech and language skills may fail to use this clue and approach a stranger with the same ease as a close relative.

Ms. Carol, a dynamic teacher, will address “Sensory Processing” issues in Asperger Syndrome, another core deficit which causes Sensory Overload.

Carol will help you -

• Gain insight into the three major categories of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): sensory modulation disorder, sensory discrimination disorder, and sensory-based motor disorders including postural disorder and dyspraxia (poor motor planning).
• Recognize characteristics of tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive, visual, and auditory dysfunction and how these difficulties affect children's learning and behavior.
• Observe children's self-therapy and redirect it, if necessary.
• Recognize which sensory experiences help the child function better in class, e.g. touch and movement activities, and which backfire, e.g., noise, where the child is seated, poor tolerance to certain material (clay, paint)
• Identify ways to make accommodations in the school environment, seek appropriate therapy, and increase opportunities for positive social interactions and learning experiences.