Experimental Watercolor – Help a teacher support her students on the autism spectrum

 

Experimental Watercolor 1

Experimental Watercolor 1

I am a teacher of students with special needs.  Throughout the day I teach approximately 30 students with diverse needs, and six of my students have IEPs that indicate that they are on the Autism spectrum.  I am trying to fund a project through Blick Art Materials called “Experimental Watercolor.”  For all of my students I am trying to move them from process to product.  I use these art based projects for reading comprehension to include background information on the media, artists, and directions.

Experimental Watercolor 2

Experimental Watercolor 2

:  I understand that sometimes what teachers teach can be dull.  I have a difficult time getting students to complete classroom correctly or getting 100% participation.  However, for the collage challenge 27 out of 30 students completed the entire projects.  That is 90% participation.  I hope as we move along, that the percentage increases.  Our district has a fund freeze, so teachers have to rely on other means to engage the students.  We cannot even get buses for field trips now.  I really would appreciate any assistance.  I just love to hear students say that the class went by quickly instead of asking what time the class ends.

I am a teacher with the Pasadena Unified School District and my site is Wilson Middle School.

Here is the Blick Art Materials link: https://www.dickblick.com/ara/lists/8138/home

Experimental Watercolor 3

Experimental Watercolor 3

Experimental Watercolor 4

Experimental Watercolor 4

Twenty plus Autistic and Asperger’s signs and traits in adults

 

 

22 Asperger's signs and traits in adults

22 Asperger’s signs and traits in adults

 

Twenty Two Asperger’s signs and traits in adults

How many of these do you have?

For more about autism and adults please have a look at the earlier blog post about getting a diagnosis of autism as an adult!

Boy makes heartfelt video about his autism for classmates

My Autism - by George

My Autism – by George

George’s journey with autism at 9 years old. This is the video he shared with his fourth grade class to help them understand why he behaves the way he does sometimes (during lunch, group activities, recess, etc). This is just his own experience, and should not be taken as a blanket explanation of autism. The original audience was a fourth grade class. Please remember that (and be kind if possible) when commenting. Enjoy!

Does My Child Have Autism? – How To Spot Mild Autism, Asperger’s?

Does My Child Have Autism? - How To Spot Mild Autism, Asperger's?

Does My Child Have Autism? – How To Spot Mild Autism, Asperger’s?


This video explains traits associated with mild Autism or Asperger’s.

Wende Parsley, M. Ed.

LESS SEVERE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IS HARDER TO DIAGNOSE
TODDLERS
• No babbling by age 1 year
• No single words by age 16 months
• No 2 word phrases by age 2 years
• Doesn’t respond to their name—had hearing checked
• Loss of language skills
• Poor eye contact—babies stare at mothers’ faces and eyes
• No smiling—babies smile when smiled at
• No social responsiveness—beyond being shy
• Issues with textures or tastes—abnormal gag reflex; Anthony and potatoes

YOUNG CHILDREN
• Uses few gestures
• Flat robot-like voice
• Impaired ability to make friends
• Impaired ability to converse with others
• The absence of imaginative or social play repetitive or unusual language—echoing, telling different people the same info.
• Preoccupation with certain objects
• Inflexible adherence to rituals or routines
• Wants to be alone
• Cannot be comforted
• Upset by changes

OLDER CHILDREN
• Abnormally intense or focused language
• Preoccupation with certain subjects
• Inflexible adherence to rituals or routines
• Wants to be alone
• Facial expressions are not appropriate
• Cannot “read” facial expressions
• Upset by changes
• Trouble understanding emotions
• Use few gestures

OTHER SYMPTOMS (ALL AGES)
• Hyperactivity
• Impulsivity
• Short attention span
• Aggression
• Self-injury
• Temper tantrums/ meltdowns
• Unusual eating or sleeping habits
• Unusual moods
• Unusual emotional reactions
• Lack of fear/ extreme fear
• Unusual reactions to sights, sounds, tastes, or textures
• Digestive issues: constipation, diarrhea
• Overly organized
• Messy, unorganized, destructive

Hollywood Actor Ed Asner and his son Matt Asner deliver a candid and heartfelt interview about being fathers of sons who have autism.

Hollywood Actor Ed Asner and his son Matt Asner deliver a candid and heartfelt interview about being fathers of sons who have autism.

Hollywood Actor Ed Asner and his son Matt Asner deliver a candid and heartfelt interview about being fathers of sons who have autism.

Hollywood Actor Ed Asner and his son Matt Asner deliver a candid and heartfelt interview about being fathers of sons who have autism.