CAN4GCA START Coaches Newsletter
September 2016
Welcome Back Coaches
Executive Functioning and the Student with ASD
What is Executive Functioning?
Executive Functioning is a collection of mental processes that assist a person in organizing, planning, problem, solving, and paying attention to and remembering details. Strong EF skills help us remain calm under pressure and to be flexible when things do not work out right the first time. (Wilkins, Burmeister).
Older children and adolescents with Asperger Syndrome are going to have some difficulties with their executive functioning. By the age of 8, typical children are able to inhibit responses and think before they say something. Children with Asperger's will have greater difficulty with this, especially when under stress or when overwhelmed or confused.
In middle school, executive function difficulties become much more apparent. The curriculum becomes more complex, expectations are for more independence with schoolwork, and teachers and parents have age-appropriate expectations based on the maturing cognitive abilities of age peers. (Atwood 2007)
Executive Functioning deficits or weaknesses effects the following areas for students.
Elementary
Difficulty with:
Inhibition (prevalent at age 8)
Working memory
Using new strategies
Accurate Self Awareness
Self Management
Middle School and older
Additional difficulties with:
Organization and planning
Self-reflection and self-monitoring (mental conversations)
Time management and prioritizing
Understanding abstract concepts
Weak central coherence
(Atwood 2007)
Strategies for support with Executive Functioning difficulties
Planning and Organizing
- First-Then Boards
- Video Modeling
(Must follow guidelines for Video Modeling to be an evidenced based support)
- Master Binder System
http://www.middleschoolguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/TMSSGRW-SW- pp.-20-33-The-Binder.pdf
- Contingency Mapping
http://www.autismclassroomnews.com/2013/10/contingency-maps-for-behavior-problem.html
- Choices Handout
- Project mapping
- Work Systems
- Checklists
Important Note: None of these strategies will be successful without proper teaching, review and monitoring. At first on a multi-time a day basis then when strategies become habit fade check ins.
Resources:
FLIPP The Switch Strengthen Executive Function Skills Sheri Wilkings, PHD and Carol Burmeister, MA Forward by Kari Dunn Buron
The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome Tony Atwood
Autism Speaks
https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/documents/as-hfa/ef_tm_as-hfa_tool_kit.pdf
SAVE THE DATE - CAN4GCA Coaches Training
When: Monday October 17, 2016
Where: The Davis Building, GISD
Time: 12:00-3:30
More Information: To ensure enough materials are provided please register at the following link:
https://goo.gl/forms/g5c5mh0sNVtDFuCz1
Registration for this event will close at the end of business on October 13th.
Light refreshments will be provided.
AGENDA
12:00-12:30 Registration and light refreshments
12:30-1:00 START Tools and State Updates
1:00-3:00 ASD and Literacy
3:00-3:30 Questions and adjourn
Genesee County START Trainings
November 21, 2016 Self Management
December 2, 2016 Asperger's Syndrome
To register for these and other training's offered at the GISD please go to http://catalog.geneseeisd.org/ The above listed training's are listed under the Special Education tab.
START Statewide Training Events
Peer to Peer Statewide Training
Description: Peer to peer support programs increase opportunities for students with ASD to access general education settings and curriculum. Peers model typical academic and social behavior in educational environments throughout the school day and provide support for students with ASD to promote independence and socialization. Peer to peer support programs and inclusion of students with ASD not only affects outcomes for the students with ASD, but can also impact a number of outcomes for peers.
Date: October 13 & 14, 2016
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Location: Okemos Conference Center, 2187 University Park Dr, Okemos, MI 48864
Registration Fee: $50.00 (Fee includes coffee/lunch and materials)
ASD Teacher Consultant Contact Information
Amy Chorley
Barb Olszewski