One of the topics we're discussing this week in class is transition. Could you comment on Cooper's transition from elementary school to junior high? And also his transition into adolescence? Any difficulties with either of the above?
transition from elem. school to middle school was pretty smooth. -the 5th grade class as an entire group takes a field trip to the new school to check it out. -cooper went back a few more times at different points of the day (before school; in between classes, lunch, end of day.. to see exactly what goes on. -he received a copy of the schools campus with all his classes high lighted and a route dotted out for him to each class. -we requested that his ESY (summer school) services be at the middle school so over the summer he could get used to the school when no one was there -he had a locker to practice on the 6 weeks of summer school; then was given that locker on the 1st day of school (working a combination can be difficult when a time constraint is added) -his shadow was with him for most of these visits; activities along with me as well for some of them -the week before school began, he got his schedule and walked the schedule /route he'd be taking each morning. -he made a journal of how to get to each class and put the map in it.. -the day before school began; when all the teachers were there; we made a scavenger hunt for him to go and find things and have the teacher sign a paper; so he had to use social skills as well as logical thinking to get from one place to the next.
transition in adolescence is very difficult- the unknown of what is happening to his body is really driving him crazy... we bought a book from barnes/nobles about "what is happening to my body"... has drawings of female/male things and events that happen all through the teen years.. social awkwardness; pimples; showering; shaving; hair in weird places; drugs; sex... its a great book.. he reads it all the time. no real photos...all drawn
we have had him talk with male friends his age in a neutral setting about questions he would have; his father and I both have talked about how we grew up.. since we dated each other in high school; we have photos of us "growing up" together.. so its great to be able to show him that we have also changed and physically grown.
explaining it is difficult because he has a fantasy world that he likes to live in.. he does not want to grow up. gets angry or upset; but he knows he has not choice because we've told him everyone grows up. for a while he cried at night afraid he was going to die; then we had a family member die at age 93; so we used it to talk about how most live to 90 and he had a lot more to go.. etc.. that helped alot.. the state autism society in columbia has had many speakers come and talk about puberty and growing up.. I have not been to any of those as I can not just drive 6 hrs roundtrip and attend the mtg. no childcare, kids in school, etc.. I have been online and visited many websites and belong to several facebook groups that promote awaress about autism and young adults. I also use my friends who have older kids and friends that are in the school system to help me with questions we have.
transition from elem. school to middle school was pretty smooth.
ReplyDelete-the 5th grade class as an entire group takes a field trip to the new school to check it out.
-cooper went back a few more times at different points of the day (before school; in between classes, lunch, end of day.. to see exactly what goes on.
-he received a copy of the schools campus with all his classes high lighted and a route dotted out for him to each class.
-we requested that his ESY (summer school) services be at the middle school so over the summer he could get used to the school when no one was there
-he had a locker to practice on the 6 weeks of summer school; then was given that locker on the 1st day of school (working a combination can be difficult when a time constraint is added)
-his shadow was with him for most of these visits; activities along with me as well for some of them
-the week before school began, he got his schedule and walked the schedule /route he'd be taking each morning.
-he made a journal of how to get to each class and put the map in it..
-the day before school began; when all the teachers were there; we made a scavenger hunt for him to go and find things and have the teacher sign a paper; so he had to use social skills as well as logical thinking to get from one place to the next.
transition in adolescence is very difficult- the unknown of what is happening to his body is really driving him crazy... we bought a book from barnes/nobles about "what is happening to my body"... has drawings of female/male things and events that happen all through the teen years.. social awkwardness; pimples; showering; shaving; hair in weird places; drugs; sex... its a great book.. he reads it all the time. no real photos...all drawn
ReplyDeletewe have had him talk with male friends his age in a neutral setting about questions he would have; his father and I both have talked about how we grew up.. since we dated each other in high school; we have photos of us "growing up" together.. so its great to be able to show him that we have also changed and physically grown.
explaining it is difficult because he has a fantasy world that he likes to live in.. he does not want to grow up. gets angry or upset; but he knows he has not choice because we've told him everyone grows up. for a while he cried at night afraid he was going to die; then we had a family member die at age 93; so we used it to talk about how most live to 90 and he had a lot more to go.. etc.. that helped alot.. the state autism society in columbia has had many speakers come and talk about puberty and growing up.. I have not been to any of those as I can not just drive 6 hrs roundtrip and attend the mtg. no childcare, kids in school, etc.. I have been online and visited many websites and belong to several facebook groups that promote awaress about autism and young adults. I also use my friends who have older kids and friends that are in the school system to help me with questions we have.
Interesting. Such detailed, structured approaches to the school transition. I can see how the transition to adolescence would be more difficult.
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