Dinosaurs and the autism spectrum
Autism is a life-long debilitating disease that affects a surprising number of people. Research from the National Autistic Society suggests that up to half a million people in the UK have some form of autism or have a related condition, such as Asperger’s syndrome. Autism is a condition that affects the way people relate to themselves and the world around them. Sufferers may be hypersensitive to sensory input and may have difficulty making sense of their surroundings. Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome have a hard time communicating and interacting with others. Neither autism nor Asperger syndrome are related to low intelligence; in fact, from our experience with children who have Asperger’s syndrome, the child in question often has a higher than average IQ. For example, one of the attractions of dinosaurs for children on the autism spectrum is the long names and all the complicated facts associated with these prehistoric monsters. Some children on the spectrum seem able to retain a great deal of information related to their favorite dinosaurs and can recite a staggering amount of factual information about them.
Detecting children on the autism spectrum
These conditions cannot be detected just by looking at a person, there are no visual symptoms but they manifest in certain behaviors. If these behaviors can be identified in young children at an early age, steps and processes can be implemented to help them and their families manage their condition effectively. As they are called “hidden disabilities,” it can be very difficult to diagnose the condition. Fortunately, thanks to the campaigns of various charities and other organizations, awareness of autism, Asperger’s syndrome and other related conditions has increased substantially in the last twenty years and many teachers and teaching assistants are now trained to be able to identify Autism. in the schoolchildren in his class.
Children with Asperger syndrome may have fewer difficulties with speech and generally do not have the learning difficulties associated with autism, but they may have specific learning disabilities. These can include dyspraxia and dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Fortunately, society’s understanding of these conditions has greatly improved since my time at school. Recently, a friend was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum and having related dyslexia, but when she was a child in school her condition was not noticed and she (and neither were her parents), she received help and support necessary.
With the right help and encouragement, people on the autism spectrum and with Asperger’s syndrome can lead fully independent and fulfilling lives. What is important from our perspective as teachers is understanding the condition and providing support at an early stage to help children and their parents / guardians / family members manage.
Autism is a spectrum
When teaching a class, it can be difficult to identify behaviors in a young child that could indicate that this child has autism or a related condition. The problem is that there are “degrees” of autism. I always prefer the term autism spectrum condition rather than the alternative title autism spectrum syndrome, but in my experience both are used. I envision the condition of autism as a long bar with a person with this condition fitting somewhere on this bar, as each individual can be affected differently. It is true that while all people with autism will share certain behaviors and difficulties in making sense of their world and their environment, some people will be able to live an independent life, while others, who may have learning difficulties and related disabilities, will require support. from a specialist. Throughout their lives.
Where do dinosaurs fit in?
There are certain types of behavior associated with children on the autism spectrum. Not all people will display the same behaviors, autism affects people in different ways. One of the mantras that I use when teaching in a class where there is a child or children on the autism spectrum is to remember to “celebrate their uniqueness and rejoice in the way they are able to see the world differently from me.” However, there are common behaviors and the dinosaur theme seems to lend itself to them.
For example, some children may be natural scholars and come to have great knowledge on a subject that they enjoy. Studying dinosaurs seems to check a lot of the boxes for them and they are almost completely immersed in their topic. Children on the autism spectrum may be able to remember information better than their peers, with so many facts and figures surrounding the study of dinosaurs that they seem to be naturally drawn to this topic. For example, being able to cite facts and statistics about dinosaurs: which was the biggest, fiercest, heaviest, fastest, longest? Vertebrate paleontology and Dinosauria in particular appear to be a rich source of information that is often recited repeatedly and parents / guardians are bombarded with questions and demands for more data.
Also, young people on the autism spectrum may often not want to play games with other children, preferring to play alone, immerse themselves in their favorite subject area, and play with models of dinosaurs and other replicas. They can often repeat the game over and over or insist on doing the same activity over and over at the same time every day. The availability of videos and DVDs about dinosaurs can help with this. Children on the autism spectrum can enjoy watching repeated plays of the same DVD.
Dinosaur days
Fortunately, there are several museums that have exhibits of dinosaur fossils and other items that can be visited. However, for a family taking a child off the autism spectrum during the day can be a daunting prospect and a difficult episode can cause parents / guardians to lose all confidence.
We hope there are some helpful tips and suggestions that we can pass on to help parents / guardians manage the day and ensure that it is a rewarding activity for all concerned.
1). Remember the Sensitivity
Some children on the autism spectrum may be overly sensitive to loud noises and bright lights. If you intend to visit a dinosaur attraction, we recommend that you contact the vendors before you go to understand any items that may be distressing to your child.
two). Contact the provider before your visit
Contacting the museum before the day gives you the opportunity to learn about any special arrangements that may exist to help you make the most of your day. You can also receive expert advice and organize support during the day if needed.
3). Get the guide before you go
By obtaining a guide or brochure before your visit, you and your child can plan their day. This can help your child prepare for the experience to some degree and allow you and your family to get the most out of the visit.
Obsessing over dinosaurs
Not all children on the autism spectrum will have obsessions. Those who do, do not obsess over dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. For example, we have come across several young children who are completely immersed in subjects as diverse as cars and “Thomas the Tank Engine”, but some children develop a fascination with Dinosaurs. This in itself is not a bad thing, as with the establishment of the creative curriculum in most parts of the UK, schools often cover this subject area within their teaching work schemes. Learning about dinosaurs can help build confidence; after all, many children will share this common interest and love for all things dinosaur related. There are a host of resources that can help, from the local library, the regional museum, and of course the internet. For parents / guardians too, learning about dinosaurs can be a rewarding experience, especially if it is an area that allows them to celebrate the way their particular child views the world.