What we think about our ability to learn matters. Believing that we can only learn a fixed amount, or that others can only learn a fixed amount, does not offer anyone the opportunity to grow. Without the belief that we can learn and grow, a “C” student can never become an “A” student. Continue reading “The Potential of a “C”: Developing a Growth Mindset”
Revealed: Twice Exceptional Learners
Twice exceptional learners may remain undiagnosed, by educational professionals including Speech Pathologist, because of their unique abilities in other areas. The language assessment in a neuropsychological battery and in some speech pathology tests often require only one-word or limited responses. Continue reading “Revealed: Twice Exceptional Learners”
I Don’t Need Help! Problems of Adolescence
Even though teens and young adults often continue to have problems managing their language based learning disabilities in middle and high school, some are initially resistant to accepting help from specialist. Continue reading “I Don’t Need Help! Problems of Adolescence”
Vocabulary Development: Teachable Moments
I am holding up a bright yellow jacket at the LL Bean outlet in New Hampshire. “Hey look this is really bright it will be great for biking,” I say to my daughter. “No, it’s dull she says!” Continue reading “Vocabulary Development: Teachable Moments”
Unidentified: Twice Exceptional Children of Color
“I’m dumb!”  “I can’t learn!”  Often underserved in public schools, twice exceptional children of color,  especially children of color who are of African or Hispanic descent spend their entire academic career unidentified and underperforming. Continue reading “Unidentified: Twice Exceptional Children of Color”
Learning disabilities: I can learn….
Parents fear that their child’s language based learning disability will limit opportunities, but with additional supports like speech/language therapy this is not true.  Continue reading “Learning disabilities: I can learn….”
Dyslexia: Should you tell them?
In the documentary called “Embracing Dyslexia,” a father asked the principal of his child’s school if he should tell his child that the child has dyslexia. The principal says, “No!” Continue reading “Dyslexia: Should you tell them?”
Yucky fiction!!! books books books
The value of reading fiction for people with Asperger Syndrome is that reading this genre offers them the opportunity to improve non-verbal skills, in spite of the fact that some people with Asperger Syndrome do not enjoy reading fictional books. Continue reading “Yucky fiction!!! books books books”
Asperger Syndrome: Nonfiction vs Fiction
 
Do people with Asperger Syndrome prefer fiction or non-fiction? It has been suggested that people with Asperger prefer nonfiction because it provides fact-based information related to their special interest. However, I have known people with Asperger syndrome who enjoyed fiction.
The lack of interest in reading fiction usually begins in childhood when children begin asserting their independence in choosing how they occupy their time. Parents often see them steering away from fiction toward their special interest, but that is not the only reason people with Asperger Syndrome prefer non-fiction. Other reasons can be related to deficits associated with their deficits including difficulty interpreting inferred content,  understanding the implication of context to the story line, and problems understanding other’s perspectives. This is made even more difficult because of their inability to see the big picture.  Based on these facts it is easy to see why people with Asperger enjoy reading nonfiction.
However, at the “Asperger’s Association of New England,” they have a saying, “If you see one person with Asperger’s syndrome you have seen one person.”  What they mean by this is that each person with Asperger’s syndrome is uniquely their own person and although they have common deficits each person is vastly different. As with any disability, the disability does not define the person, the person defines the disability, so I have had clients that loved science, adventure, and horror fiction. My Asperger friends and clients have read “Harry Potter”, “Divergent,” and many other titles and found enjoyment in these stories.  Anecdotal evidence suggests that many people with Asperger’s Syndrome find enjoyment in reading fiction, but not only that it is a great vehicle to help strength social skills and critical thinking.  Not every person who is Italian loves pasta, just as not every person with Asperger syndrome hates fiction!
If you want to help, your child learn to enjoy reading fiction there are many ways.  Reading books with Aspie characters is one way. If you are an adult, you might enjoyreading the “Memory Man” by David Baldacci, which references Asperger syndrome and has a character that has an acquired form of high-functioning autism.
References
Giles, A. (2007, July 6). The best Aspie fiction. Retrieved April 27, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2007/jul/06/thebestaspiefiction
Stuff Asperger People Like. (2008, July 28). Retrieved April 27, 2015, http://stuffaspergerpeoplelike.com/2008/07/28/11-non-fiction-and-the-hatred-of fiction/
Did I read that right?
Asperger Syndrome and reading comprehension
In class Tim, a ninth grader was seen as an excellent student ( not his real name), and he received A’s in English. Continue reading “Did I read that right?”