When I worked as a substitute for school paraprofessionals (paras) working with mentally challenged kids, I learned much just watching the other special ed (education) teachers and paras.
Most of the kids I worked with were autistic. If you’ve ever noticed an autistic child in public or have seen them depicted in movies, you may not realize all you can do with them. But be assured with patience and repetition, as well as a firm, loving hand, coupled with structure, you can see results. But you have to be patient.
First, be aware there is a wide range of mental functioning in autism. A number of students I worked with had exceptionally high IQs, especially in subjects such as math and science. In fact, one 11-year-old boy I monitored, probably had the highest IQ in his fifth grade math class. His struggles were in social skills and in controlling his emotions. And then, there’s my own 14-year-old grandson, Andrew. He’s labeled autistic, but highly functional. Just tell him the year of your birth, and he can quickly tell you the day of the week you were born. Andrew is also on top of the weather in every state, staying glued to the Weather Channel. He’s fascinated with any map you put in front of him, studying it as closely as other teens study the latest trends.
Then there are kids who fall within the low range of intelligence, some of which, aren’t even able to use their words. But, again, with patience and persistence they, too, can learn. Here are a few games and mental exercises that work.
*Offer laminated picture cards as multiple choices. For example, I once worked with an extremely low-functioning child, Timmy,* who appeared as if he didn’t even notice you. Besides being mentally challenged, he was also wheel chair bound from another handicap. However, I was stunned, noting how his special ed teacher usually got through to him. One of her best methods was using laminated cards depicting choices. Timmy was the class weatherman, so the teacher would hold up three laminated cards with pictures of a “sun”, “rainy sky, “clouds”, and “snowman”. She would then wheel him to the back window and tell him to look out the window. She’d hold up the three cards and ask, “Timmy, what is the weather today? Is it sunny? Is it rainy? Is it cloudy? Or is it snowy?” At first, Timmy’s eyes would roam and not focus on anthing, but as she slowly and clearly repeated the directive, she’d take his hand in hers. Then, after a few seconds (or sometimes minutes), he would then pull both his hand and hers to the correct card.
*Memory cards and games. With children who are higher functioning than Timmy, memory games are good sources to make them think and compare. After drilling them on their A, B, Cs and numbers, offer them a needed break. Memory games serve as not only a chance to relax, but a tool to exercise their memory skills. Place all the cards, face down on a table. Then instruct your child to flip over two cards. The key is to remember what’s on a card so he can later match it up with its twin.
*Take frequent breaks. Autistic kids tire easily and need to take breaks more often than other children.
*Computer games—I never cease to be amazed how a child who doesn’t seem to settle down at his desk can instantly focus as soon as he sits down at a computer, spending a good half hour, playing math, reading, and other educational computer games.
*Music—Autistic kids respond in a big way to music. Children who aren’t even able to communicate verbally, aren’t at all inhibited in music class. Just place some drums, tambourines, whistles or wooden sticks in front of them and sit back for a concert.
When working with your kids, at home, make up silly songs to teach letters and mathematical facts. I recall how a clever middle school teacher brought in a keyboard to let her kids get creative during their free time. Incredibly, there have been autistic kids who are actually prodigies in the music world. Although some couldn’t even read a simple first grade book, sit them down at a piano and they can play by ear. In the Lifetime move, “Miracle Run”, an autistic teenage twin boy exhibited exceptional musical talent, playing his guitar, even winning himself a scholarship, while his autistic twin brother, came in first place, running in a marathon.
These are just a few of the ways you can work with and encourage your autistic child. To discover other effective and creative exercises, visit your child in school and watch him work with his teachers and paraprofessionals in action.
*Names are fictional to protect privacy.
