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Supporting Giftedness with Autism
Supporting Giftedness with Autism
Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication (according to autismspeaks.org).
Students with autism tend to be better at understanding systems, than understanding people. They tend to prefer working with computers and machines and doing tasks with straightforward logic. They typically do not know how to predict what others think and can have great difficulties socializing. They also have challenges reading emotions and as a result do not know how to interact with people well. They might seem to lack empathy. Additionally, students with autism tend to think in visual images rather than words.
Students who are gifted and have autism have lots of strengths. Let these students know about and give them opportunities to develop their areas of strength. Common strengths among students who are gifted and have autism:
attention to detail
logical, insightful, independent thinkers and learners
can be highly skilled and have encyclopedic knowledge in a particular area of interest
less concern for what others might think of them
thinks in visuals who can see the "big picture"
honest
nonjudgmental
loyal
direct communication - they say what they mean and mean what they say
To support their disability while focusing on their strengths, do the following:
design learning experiences that are visual and concrete with explicit, logical steps and connections
teach them how to understand, control, and express their own emotions
role play how to recognize facial expressions and identify the emotional states of others
show them how to understand the unwritten rules of social interactions through direct instruction and social narratives
build up their capacity and skills to increase their motivation in non-preferred subject areasÂ
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