Aspergers

syndrome
Grace Healey

Aspergers syndrome
Discovered by Hans Asperger in the 1940s
He started noticing behaviors resembling Autism

in children that had the intelligence and language

skills of typical children
Falls under the Autism Spectrum Disorder
High-functioning form of autism
Described as having a dash of autism

Behaviors Associated with

Aspergers
Limited or inappropriate social interactions
Difficulty expressing themselves and communicating

nonverbally (facial expressions and gestures)

Average or above average verbal skills but with a

lack in eye-contact or reciprocal conversation

Behaviors Associated with

Aspergers contd.
Self-centered conversations

Inability to understand social/emotional issues or

nonliteral phrases

Being obsessed with unusual and specific topics

Adaptations for students

with Aspergers syndrome

To prevent the student from experiencing anxiety when a

transition arises during the school day:

The teacher should provide a schedule in the front of the room

The teacher should have a schedule on an index card ring with

pictures that can be used when the schedule for the day
changes at a moments notice

The teacher should make a point to talk to the student with

Aspergers one-on-one and explain the change in the schedule
and why it is taking place

Adaptations for students

with Aspergers syndrome
To enhance verbal skills:
The teacher should give verbal cues that are short

and to the point

The teacher should refrain from using idiomatic

expressions and slang when in the classroom

because the student with Aspergers struggles to
understand that type of language

Adaptations for students

with Aspergers syndrome
Additional adaptations:
Extra time for in class assignments
Visual aids
Graphic organizers
Praise for efforts
Reassurance
The teacher should speak in a slow, clear and concise

manner

Adaptations for a Writing

Assignment in an English
class

Writing assignments are especially difficult for students with autism and
Aspergers syndrome

If the student is writing a specific type of essay (expository, narrative,

informative) the teacher should model the essay prior to giving the students
the assignment

Graphic organizers are extremely helpful for students with Aspergers

The graphic organizers should be partially filled in prior to the student

receiving it and must have clear directions on what the student needs to look
for as they continue to fill in the handout

Additionally, the student with Aspergers should be given at least double the
time of the typical students

Students with Aspergers tend to need double the time to do half the work so
this is essential when completing a writing assignment