Skip a Step
Teachers must examine an individual’s learning style and weigh a student’s strengths and weaknesses very carefully in order to develop effective IEP goals. For example, some students with autism may be proficient in a subject although they failed to not be able to master a pre-requisite skill. The trick in helping a student maximize potential is knowing when to skip a step.
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For example, when learning a foreign language, a high school student might learn fluent conversational skills despite their inability to conjugate verbs. Do we wait until the person has mastered verb tenses before we begin teaching a person to converse in a foreign language?
A junior high student with autism is not be able to count to 100, but he is a whiz on the calculator. He has a significant deficit in sequencing skills, but he is able to solve complex math problems with little assistance. Should the teacher continue to drill the student on the number sequence?
Another student with a sequencing deficit is not able to recite the alphabet after three years of intense work at school and a home. Should the teacher require mastery of that skill, or just skip the step and move to sight words?
In some cases, it is simply a matter of moving on. After working on it since high school, it was determined an adult with autism would not be able to memorize his phone number. His difficulty with that task was puzzling because the young adult was a fluent conversationalist and excelled in academics. But, autism is, above all things, inconsistent. In this case, the family and job coach determined it would be best for the young man to carry a card listing his phone number should he need to share that information with anyone.
TIP FOR THE DAY. Although we certainly do not want to give up too soon, we do want to recognize the option of skipping a step occasionally in order to help a student continue progressing rather than getting stuck on a pre-requisite skill.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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