1. Fostering Deep & Focused Interests in Children with ASDs Valerie Paradiz, PhD Elijah Wapner Cleveland, Ohio Autism Today Summit October 11, 2008

2. Family Story Elijah’s diagnosis Grassroots Self- Advocacy Embracing Autism as a Culture The Ebb & Flow of Deep Interests

3. Early Years Hats Balloons Colors Sketching Val’s Shadow Traits German Literature Writing as Social Scripting Poetry & Prose Elijah’s Cup

4. What is a deep interest?

5. Deep Interests & ASD An area of knowledge or activity that a person with Autism Spectrum Difference (ASD) enjoys engaging in frequently and to a great degree, sometimes to the exclusion of most other activities, often more intensively than an average hobby or leisure time pursuit

6. Intrinsic Motivation Activities that people do naturally and spontaneously when they feel free to follow their inner interests. Ryan and Deci, “Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being”

9. True or False? Focused interests are obsessions. They are non-functional. They can indicate a person’s feelings of anxiety or overwhelm. Deep interests can lead to developing vocational skills or a career. They interrupt real learning in the classroom. They undermine relationships with family members at home. They can be helpful in self-regulation.

10. The Power of Deep Interests Elijah’s Comedy Biography

11. Early Childhood Charlie Stims Echolalia Delayed Speech Seizures Auditory Sensitivity Nonverbal Entertainment

12. Middle Childhood Comedian Stims Genres of Comedy Memorizing Jokes Social Scripting Integrating Gestures with Speech

13. Adolescence Conflict Resolution Original Material MTV: True Life, I Have Autism Gotham Comedy Club Stella Adler Studio and Dramatic Training Micro Enterprise

14. Supporting Emerging & Focused Interests in the Classroom

15. For Educators Integrating deep interests into classroom activities can… validate your students’ need for familiar structures inspire kids to try new activities they might avoid or refuse to do show your student that you appreciate how she thinks celebrate autistic culture!

16. For Educators Integrating focused interests into classroom activities can… motivate students to attempt new subjects or topic areas inspire kids to practice study skills they might generally avoid or refuse to do be an avenue for promoting good self-esteem serve as a positive reinforcement win respect and admiration from peers

17. “Tapping into Special Interests in the Classroom” Valerie Paradiz, PhD Autism Internet Modules (AIM) www.AutismInternetModules.org

18. “Hi, I’m Mr. Inevitable”

19. Q & A Contact www.ValerieParadiz.com Val@ValerieParadiz.com www.MrInevitable.com Elijah@MrInevitable.com