Successful School Change and Transition for the Child with Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for Parents

by Clare Lawrence

Overview

Moving to a new school can be a daunting prospect for the child with Asperger syndrome, and parents are often left feeling powerless to help prevent the anxiety and loss of confidence which may ensue.

Clare Lawrence's new book provides parents of children with Asperger syndrome with practical advice on how to prepare their child for moving to a new school, and how to help make the transition as smooth as possible. A wide range of material is covered, including useful guidance on choosing the right school, supporting the child during the period prior to the move, and identifying and practising the different social rules and expectations of the new school. The strategies in the book can be adapted for children of all ages and include working out a transition time-line, identifying a named adult and 'safe haven' at the school, and effective communication between parents, teachers and support staff.

This clear and accessible book will be an invaluable resource for parents of children with AS who are moving to a new school, and will also be of interest to the teachers and education professionals who work with them.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849050524
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	01/15/2010
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.20(d)

About the Author

Clare Lawrence is a teacher, autism worker and mother of two children, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. She works closely with schools across the UK, exploring practical solutions for how to make education more accessible for children with AS. Clare lives in Cambridgeshire, UK.

Table of Contents

Foreword 9

Introduction 13

Chapter 1 Planning the Move 19

1.1 Identifying the problem 19

1.2 Planning ahead - the '2-year plan' 24

1.3 Choosing the new school 26

1.4 Involving wider autism professionals 30

1.5 Preparing your child 31

Chapter 2 Before Moving On 35

2.1 Collecting your data. What has worked up to now? 35

2.2 Sharing information about your child 40

2.3 Visiting the new school 44

2.4 Collecting support materials 47

2.5 Identifying a named adult and 'safe haven' 49

2.6 Identifying sensory difficulties and 'flagging them up' to the new school 52

2.7 Identifying useful technologies 54

2.8 Identifying key skills to be developed (and habits to be broken) and working them into the transition plan 57

2.9 Encouraging the 'named adult' to visit the current school 61

2.10 Working out a 'transition time-line' with clear identification of responsibilities for all involved 66

2.11 Dealing with rumours 68

2.12 Adapting current strategies that work for supporting transition 72

2.13 Utilizing existing AS community of the school 73

2.14 Familiarizing your child with the school, and with the concept of the school 76

Chapter 3 The Holidays 79

3.1 Looking at strategies to minimize distress at leaving the old school 79

3.2 Providing preparation and support during the holiday period 82

3.3 Addressing practical issues 84

3.4 Taking on a project 89

3.5 Identifying and practising the different social 'rules' and expectations of the new school 91

Chapter 4 The First Days 95

4.1 Considering a flexi-start 95

4.2 Using support 98

4.3 Checking his needs have been understood 100

4.4 Providing practical and organizational support 105

4.5 Monitoring and supporting homework 109

4.6 Helping with management of workload 112

4.7 Facilitating communication 115

4.8 Ensuring that the 'simple' supports are in place (and remain so) 119

4.9 Accessing transition support from 'Asperger community' of school 123

4.10 Evaluating the first days 125

Chapter 5 Into the Future 129

Appendix: Transition Check-list 143

Further Reading 155

Editorial Reviews

Written by the parent of a talented child with Asperger syndrome, Clare Lawrence's book offers a deceptively simple yet ingenious and insightful set of guidelines on how to cope with school transitions. Reflecting her background in teaching, Clare is able to illuminate with remarkable clarity not only the pitfalls that may await families an schools at this time, but also effective ways of avoiding them.

I recommend this book to all parents of children with Asperger syndrome who are concerned their child may have difficulty coping with school transitions. If these recommendations were implemented widely, by teachers and parents, much distress and disruption experienced by families and schools could be averted.

David Skuse

Clare has combined her ability to articulate simply and concisely the ever complex issues surrounding AS and education with her depth of knowledge of the subject area to produce a valuable and intelligent book. I would certainly recommend this to any parent or professional involved with a child with AS who is facing transition and congratulate Clare on (another) excellent publication in this field.

Dr Luke Beardon

This is a much-needed book on a very important subject. Highly recommended.

Carolyn Unsted

This book is full of good practical tips for parents wanting to help their child manage the transition into a new school...The advice is tinged with reality, for example pointing out that although planning ransition might be helped by giving access to a timetable before the start of term this is rarely available. A worthwhile read for parents looking for advice for their child in the run up to the start of a new school term.

Youthinmind.info/UK

Moving schools for children on the spectrum can be a positive experience if approached in the right way. It requires an understanding of autism, knowledge of the individual child and planning. This book provides both parents and teachers with some excellent tips and strategies to make a successful school transition possible.

Andrew Powell