Autism Awareness for Teachers and the Classroom

GOING DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE…
AUTISM AWARENESS FOR THE
CLASSROOM
 By Karina D. Barley
(Dip Teaching, Grad Dip of Edu, M.Ed)
 karinabarley@gmail.com
 www.projectautismaustralia.com
 www.digitallearningtree2com
Karina D. Barley
Autism Awareness Going Down
the Rabbit Hole©
Use a QR Code Reader to
learn more about DLT’s
Autism Awareness course or
visit our website
www.digitallearningtree.com

“Children are the living
messages we send to a
time we will not see”
~John W. Whitehead
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

Overview – Autism – What is it?
Meaning & What does it mean for students?
What is AS? Definition adapted from Autism Victoria Australia
(www.amaze.org.au)
Autism Spectrum (AS) affect around 1 in every 100-110 people and impact on an
individual‟s ability to communicate, socialise and think imaginatively. These figures are
quite significant and the growing population of children with autism have huge implications
for all schools and teachers because almost all schools will come face to face with this
issue (if they haven‟t already done so).
Autism Spectrum is a developmental condition which affects three main abilities in each
individual.
The ability:
• to communicate
• to socialise, and
• to think flexibly
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

• Even though individuals with AS have difficulties in the
areas of communication, socialisation, and imagination
or flexibility of thought, each is at a different point on the
spectrum and so may seem quite different. Some people
with an AS will be able to live independent lives while
others will always need assistance and support.
• Many have unique talents and abilities that the „Autism‟
masks and it is here where I believe educators need to
discover the potential in all students who have Autism.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

Reuters (2012) in New York recently reported that about one in 88 children in the
United States have Autism or a related disorder, the highest estimate to date.
This is increasing the debate on 1/ what is causing the increase and whether there is
a need for a cure and 2/ how can Governments and services provide better
resources to assist parents and carers who have children diagnosed with Autism.
According to Autism Speaks, one of the leading advocacy, funding and research
organizations, we still are unsure of what causes Autism, but we do know that there
is no one cause of Autism and also not one type of Autism. Scientists over the last
few years have identified some genetic identifiers linked to Autism, but it is
still believed that there are also environmental factors that may influence early brain
development. We are still along way from really understanding Autism and research
on causes and cures can take a very long time, so I believe it is more imperative that
we focus on services and how we can assist families and children affected by this
condition.
It is the view of many researchers and experts such as Simon Baron-Cohen (2005)
and Temple Grandin (2010) that Autism is not so much a disorder but indeed a
difference in learning styles or in the way the brain functions. Therefore rather than
trying to find a way to „fix‟ or „cure‟ these children it is more important to understand
them and cater to their differences.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

Experiencing the world for an individual who is on the
Autism Spectrum
Individuals with AS feel like they are bombarded with sensations.
They are often very visual and learn in different ways to others. Their
difficulties with communication mean that they often miss nuances and
jokes and take what people say very literally.
SENSORY VIDEO & EXERCISE
http://youtu.be/FmoSrKbRt3M
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©
SENSORY VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPDTEuotHe0

THE TRANSFORMING EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT?
• It is important that schools and educators allow for change not only
to how we perceive „Autism‟ and other disability, but how we are
educating our children in general. We are working from a model of
education that is based in the early 1900s. Since then we‟ve had an
industrial revolution and a technological revolution, and our
education system needs to reflect this.
• Our children come to school having been well and truly exposed to
and stimulated by technology in the form of
iPhones, DS‟, iPads, XBox . Therefore it makes sense that schools
integrate technology into the curriculum in a much more effective
and proactive way.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

It is vitally important for teachers to be aware of how „Autism‟ is for their
students. The Autism world can be a literal sensory minefield for
students and the school environment needs to be designed in a way
where it creates a secure environment that is conducive to learning.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

I use the “Alice in Wonderland” story as an analogy for
the „world of Autism‟ as I feel that it fits perfectly. By
„going down the rabbit hole‟, you step into a different
world that challenges us to step outside of the box of
what is considered „normal‟. Also, not everything is as it
seems with Autism, it is a unique, mysterious and
oftentimes confusing way of being, and as educators we
are challenged to be more creative and imaginative.
Finally, when we take that leap, what we discover „down
the rabbit hole‟ is delightful and surprising. We discover
kids who are incredibly bright, interesting and
imaginative in diverse and unique ways.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

• We have to remove the terminology “disability” and
change it to difference or uniqueness. Some parts of the
UK are using the term „difable‟ as in „different abled‟.
• We need to evolve to a holistic approach to education
focusing on discovering what makes each child “tick”
and then creating an individual learning program based
on their specific talents.
• We must use and embrace technology in a far more
effective way, so that all children have opportunities to
achieve success.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

• We need to see “Autism” as potential not something to be
cured.
• We need to create schools that are a place where all
children can learn, grow and evolve as extraordinary
human beings who have been guided and encouraged to
reach their potential in areas where they have talent and
gifts!
As educators you have a responsibility to create
a future for the children we come in contact with;
and we need to see what potential shines in each
student.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

• Children with Autism have a unique energy. No matter
what you call it, vibration, connection, frequency, aura –
simply these kids function differently to us.
• They negotiate the world in a way that is specific to them –
some may be visual; some may have heightened auditory
senses; some may have heightened sensory processes;
some have extraordinary memories or mathematical skills.
Every child is different.
• Whatever their uniqueness may be; the world they see
looks different to ours.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

• Another misconception is that all children with Autism
are intellectually disabled. If we take this position, then
we miss the unique gifts all children bring us.
• We need to harness the talents and gifts of all children
and hence harness the potential of all children.
However, many children with autism are tucked away in
special and mainstream schools NOT achieving the
success they are capable of!
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

iPads™ and Autism
Why are they iPads™ so effective in the classroom?
I believe iPads™ and their use in educational settings have
incredible implications for learning and learning outcomes.
I‟ve trialled using iPads™ across the main curriculum areas in
my classroom with students who have Autism and there were
significant improvements across the board for all students‟
learning.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

There is significant research on how Computer Assisted
Learning or Technology Assisted learning can enhance
the learning of children with disabilities. Given that
information, I sought to improve my student‟s chance of
success. When I saw the iPad™ I believed this technology
could possibly revolutionise the education of children with
disabilities.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

Within one term, I noticed significant changes in the
classroom. Children who struggled to concentrate
previously had no issue sitting and working with the iPad;
they worked hard and consistently and didn‟t even realise
they were doing „school work‟; they were motivated and
eager to start their work; they went home and were able to
tell their parents what they were achieving; their
vocabulary and communication improved; and overall
behaviour within the classroom improved.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

This is because:
• Design and functionality capabilities make the iPad™ an extremely
user friendly and exciting technological tool.
• iPads™ are small enough to sit on the desk or on a student‟s lap.
They are compact and transportable.
• Using a case means the tablet can be tilted for ease of use.
• The teacher is able to sit anywhere and observe how the student is
working.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

• The interface is interactive, colourful and the graphics are
engaging.
• The touch screen enables almost any child to use this equipment
unaided. This makes learning especially easy for those children
who have fine motor or hand-eye co-ordination issues.
• It is extremely easy to individualise programs and have student‟s
working at their own pace and ability.
• Visually the graphics are fantastic and the device is multi-sensory
in that the children can physically touch the screen, look at the
graphics, listen to the sounds and in many instances use their
voice.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

• There are literally 1000‟s of applications that focus on all
subject areas.
• There is significant research that states that students benefit
from technology-based instruction because they can learn at
their own pace and focus on topics that interests them in
depth.
• This technology facilitates student centred learning.
• Students are learning and they don‟t even realise it.
• The role of the teacher becomes a facilitator or mentor.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

• Students are able to use „thinking‟ skills as part of a „thinking‟
curriculum.
• Students are enthusiastic and motivated to learn.
• Children are partially „student directed‟ as the students
navigate their way around the specific „apps‟ independently.
• Students work at their own pace.
• The iPad™ multi-sensory aspect enhances the learning
experience for the student with Autism.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

• The iPads™ design and applications allow for the integration of
Gardner‟s MI (1983) by offering a variety of opportunities to excel in
the various intelligences.
• There is significant research that states that students benefit from
technology-based instruction because they can learn at their own pace
and focus on topics that interests them in depth.
• This technology facilitates student centred learning.
• Students are learning and they don‟t even realise it.
• The role of the teacher becomes a facilitator or mentor.
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

"You don't have to have
a disability to be
different" Kim Peek (the
real “Rain Man”)
“I just want to continue to
exist, but you continue to
question my very
existence!”
– Alyson Bradley
The path I
travel is lit by
those who
came before
me, and it will
shine brighter
for those who
follow me.
"Asperger‟s
syndrome has
probably been an
important and
valuable
characteristic of our
species throughout
evolution." Tony
Attwood
"I do not suffer from
Autism, but I do suffer
from the way you treat
me."
-Tyler Durdin
"If I could snap my
fingers and be non
autistic, I would not -
because then I
wouldn't be me.
Autism is part of who I
am." --Temple
Grandin
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

http://www.digitallearningtree2.com
http://www.digitallearningtree.com/product/p-
edu-9231-understanding-supporting-children-
with-autism/
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©
Use a QR Code
Reader to learn
more about
DLT‟s courses

Authored by Karina Barley
Please go to this drop box link for a list of
iPad apps I have collated for students
who have Autism:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8mnvfe2kf
ssqfxv/ZE9X54LLsY/
Karina D. Barley
the Rabbit Hole©

Autism Awareness for Teachers and the Classroom

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