Learning Support Newsletter
Seventh Edition April/May 2016
1. CHANGES IN ALS FUNDING – IMPORTANT TO ALL ACADEMIC AREAS
For The Special Attention Of Personal Tutors & CMs
Local Authorities are prioritising students for High Needs Funding to learners with an Educational Health Care (EHC) Plan. High Needs Funding will include learners requiring, for example, 1:1 in-class support for over 7 hrs per week on their course. The big change for next year is that students, who have a Statement but no EHC Plan, will probably not be eligible for HNS funding for 2016-17 from any Local Authority. If Tutors/CMs are unsure, they should contact either Ines Asis or Pete Way for further guidance and advice.
2. LET'S LEARN ABOUT LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
(Main contributor to this section, Jill Allan, LSP and Nadia Anwer LST)
Autism is a developmental disability that affects the person’s ability to communicate and understand other people and the world around them. While there are common traits that affect people with autism their condition is as individual as they are and it affects them in different ways. Autism is a lifelong condition but people with autism can live a relatively normal life and with the right kind of support can study, live and work independently.
Neuropsychologist Michael Rosenthal of the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Rosenthal is an author of a new study on executive function problems in teens with ASD and intelligence.
“People use executive skills when they make plans, keep track of time, remember past experiences and relate them to the present, change course if they hit a roadblock, ask for help, maintain self-control and work successfully in a group”.
“Teens with autism mature at a slower pace in executive skills, according to recent research. They may have particular trouble with flexibility, organization, initiating activities and working memory. "In kids with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive flexibility is the standout problem for them and seems to remain a problem as they get older," Dr. Rosenthal.”
Asperger is a form of autism and is known as ‘high functioning autism’ to describe individuals. For further information please follow this link.
The autistic spectrum (including Asperger’s syndrome) is very broad, encompassing a wide range of intellectual and cognitive skills, so strategies that help one learner may be very different from those that work with others.
Tips for supporting learners with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC)
- Autistic students are often visual learners, so bear this in mind when preparing lessons.
- When addressing an ASC learner, it helps to say their name at the outset and give clear, concise instructions.
- Use literal language and be as precise as possible, avoiding metaphors, sarcasm and abstract concepts.
- ASC learners may be extremely sensitive to noise, light or touch and can easily be distracted by an over-busy environment.
- Students may need help with social interaction, as their understanding of social conventions may be limited. Eye contact may be difficult for them.
- Be sensitive to the fact that they may find group work very stressful and do not force participation. If absolutely essential, explain clearly the purpose of the group activity.
- Aim for consistency and structure wherever possible. When changes cannot be avoided, discuss these with the student and help them to accept the change.
- Offer a consistent response to inappropriate behaviour, making clear where the boundaries lie.
- Where learners have obsessive interests, it may be possible to use these to promote learning, e.g. by featuring the topic in a lesson or basing a project on it.
- Use carefully worded questions to elicit and check learning. Also provide extra time at the end of sessions to check for understanding, offering notes if relevant.
To find out more about strategies, please click here.
Autism "Awareness" - Ten Things You Should Know
This video shows a learner with Autism telling us about the 10 things he feels we should know about autism:
Autism Awareness Word Search
Try this Word search game and get familiarised with words related to autism.
Further videos, websites, books and article links you maybe interested in:
- In this YouTube video a teenager will explain how it feels like to be Autistic. Please click here A teen with autism tells you what it's really like to be Autistic.
- Alyssa Huber's documentary film Through Our Eyes: Living with Asperger's explains how she copes with this condition.
- An interesting short video that explains How Asperger's Works.
- The National Autistic Society website provides excellent information about supporting students in Colleges and Universities.
- Please click here to read more about Strategies to support people with autism, including Asperger syndrome.
- This is an interesting article to read Autism in the Teen Years: What to Expect, How to Help.
The Man Who Wants Us To Embrace Autism is an interesting article to read.
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The Autism Spectrum and Further Education, A Guide to Good Practice by Christine Breakey.
In this book, Christine Breakey provides practical advice on teaching young adults successfully, emphasising the development of resources and skills for use specifically in FE colleges. She offers strategies for communicating effectively, helping students to manage transition, and understanding and minimising the causes of ASC behaviours.
3. DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THESE FAMOUS CELEBRITIES WHO ARE AUSTISTIC?
- Susan Boyle - Singer
- Jane Austen - British Novelist
- Albert Einstein - Theoretical Physicist
- Sir Isaac Newton - English Physicist, Mathematician, Astronomer, Philosopher and Alchemist
- Henry Cavendish - British scientist
- Derek Paravicini - blind British musician
- Stephen Wiltshire - British architectural artist
4. ASSISTIVE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES (AT)
Why Reflector 2 is a good tool to use during the lessons?
Reflector 2 is a mirroring tool that allows to project the image of iPad/iPhone on a big screen. An excellent tool that can be used to present information such as PowerPoint presentations, interesting video clips, and website information and so on, on a SMART board, so everyone can benefit with the information.
How to use Reflector 2 in the College?
First of all, start the computer.
- Then, click on Reflector 2 icon on the desktop.
Secondly, switch on iPad/iPhone and make sure that it is connected to the College Wi-Fi.
Then swipe up on your iOS device which will bring up the control section; on the bottom right click on the AirPlay icon.
- Then select the computer screen which shows the room number and computer number e.g. SG/B104 (PJ857) that’ll show up because your iOS device knows that there is something wanting to share the screen with it or the screen mirror with it.
- Then, turn Mirroring on and the dialogue box will appear, click ‘Allow and show all’ and give it a couple seconds it shouldn’t take long and your device screen will pop up.
- Then close the bottom section and you are ready to share the screen of your iPad/iPhone to do presentations.
- When you want to disconnect the device bring up the control section on the iPad/iPhone and turn the Mirroring off.
I hope these simple steps help you to connect to your iOS device to Reflector 2 easily.
How to use Reflector 2 at home?
Mirror iPad or iPhone Screen on a PC Using AirPlay and Reflector
Further Information on Reflector 2
If you would like to use Reflector at home then follow these instructions:
1. Install Reflector 2 app on Windows/Mac laptop/PC. There is a small charge to download please check before download.
2. Reflector 2 receives connections from a number of different devices. Please check the list below for instructions to connect your device.
- iOS 7 / 8 iPad, iPhone or iPod
- Android 4.4.2 + Phone or tablet
- Android 5 + Phone or tablet
- Windows Computer
- Mac Computer
- Chromebook
3. Once Reflector 2 is connected then it is easy to present information.
5. UPCOMING NEWS/EVENTS/FESTIVALS & TRAINING
News Events & Festivals
- Brain Injury Week is on 9 - 15 May 2016.
Training
Assistive Technology Training - Please get in touch with Nosheen Ashraf to book a bespoke session for Assistive Technology Training - Specialist Software Available At Your Fingertips. I can demonstrate a variety of software and tools e.g. read-aloud software and speech-to-text software. Also, show how to setup free apps on iPad/Mobile Phones etc.
Good Practice With Supported Learners
Good Practice With Supported Learners. Please
share any activity differentiation, adaptations or use of Assistive Technology that would work well with your learners. Please click here in order to share good practice with other teaching staff.
6. FEEDBACK FOR SUPPORTED LEARNING NEWSLETTER
Responsible For Layout & Coordination
Nosheen Ashraf
Assistive Technology Coordinator - Learning Support
Nosheen.Ashraf@barnetsouthgate.ac.uk
Phone: 0203 7644347