Cardinal Ambrozic ASD Diploma Support Program Peer Tutor Presentation September 19/12 1

Activity With your dominant hand, please write your name and address on a piece of paper. 2

Activity continued Now, with your non dominant hand write your name and address, while tapping your finger with your dominant hand Feedback: How did that feel? 3

What Does Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)Mean? Think of ASD as a rainbow Wide range of colours displayed in an Arc. At one end of the rainbow are students with severe disabilities such as some of the students in the PIP class At the other end of the Spectrum are students who are very capable and working towards an OSSD. These students are in the ASD Program 4

The Spectrum See 1.6, 1.7 and 1.8 in the ASD Support Guide Autism Spectrum Disorders Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Rett’s Syndrome PDD - NOS Autism Asperger Syndrome 5

Understanding Asperger Syndrome (AS) AS is a complex neurological condition(brain differences ) In other words these students have a different way of thinking, caused by differences in the hard wiring in the brain 6

AS cont’d Think of students with Asperger’s as an IBM computer trying to run it’s software on a MAC! Just imagine how many glitches there would be It would more than likely not be able to run at all, or crash! 7

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders ASD is characterized by impairments in three core areas: 1.communication 2.social interaction 3.unusual patterns of behaviours, activities, and interests 8

Autism Spectrum Disorders Communication Restricted Repertoire of Activities and Interests Socialization The Triad of Impairments 9

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders In Canada: 1 in 100 of all children Currently more than 200,000 cases in Canada More than 3,000 cases are identified each year Dufferin-Peel : 1 in 95 Source: Geneva Centre webpage; is-the-incidence-rate-of-autism-spectrum-disorders-in-canada.html 10

Strengths: Very Strong in some areas of academics (Math & Sciences) Computer Skills Extremely knowledgeable in their area of interest i.e.: science and video gaming Honest (sometimes too honest) Desire for friendships and to fit in 11

Difficulties interacting with typically developing peers Difficulty reading and understanding social cues and situations Withdraws from or provides unusual responses to social situations From: Effective Educational Practices for Students with ASD, Ministry of Education, Needs and Challenges

Social Challenges Unusual eye contact Difficulty managing and maintaining reciprocal conversations (may talk at you) Difficulty reading and using a range of facial expressions and body language Limited ability to conceptualize the thoughts and feelings of others 13

Social Challenges Unaware of the codes of social conduct Lack of maturity in friendship skills Limited ability to detect someone’s true intentions Limited ability with team skills 14

Social Understanding “Socializing is harder than any maths question for me. What works for one person doesn’t work for another. People do not always say what they mean, or stick to what they say.” Marc Fleisher,

The Role of a Peer Tutor: Be open and accepting of differences Be a good role model Engage our students in 1-1 casual/social conversations Play games with them Greet them in the hallways and cafeteria Help them feel part of The Riverhawks Family 16

The Hidden Curriculum What is it? What are some examples of the “hidden Curriculum at Cardinal Ambrozic? What are some examples of the “hidden curriculum of teenagers? What are some unwritten social rules? Do you usually speak to a teacher like you do a friend? 17

Students with ASD Often have difficulty understanding the “hidden curriculum”…knowing the way you speak to teachers, is sometimes different than parents or peers For most of you, this is a natural understanding Social skills that you automatically understand, our students need specific help with 18

Final Thoughts We look forward to and are excited to have you work with our students and with us. You will be a valuable part of our team. Questions? Please ask …no question is too big or too small! Thank you Mrs. Abbruscato & Ms. Kidd 19