ASPERGERS SYNDROME AND GIFTEDNESS

Presented by:
Dee Free
Karen Klein
Diane LeFevers
Joy Albano
June 4, 2014

THIS CHILD IS SO.

Quirky
Obsessiv
e
Clumsy
Awkward

FAMOUS AND AUTISTIC?

Thomas Jefferson
~genius
~shy
~inability to relate to
people
~poor eye contact
~sensitive to loud noises

FAMOUS AND AUTISTIC?

Albert Einstein

~genius
~repeated sentences
obsessively
~had no friends as a child
~shunned intimacy
~described as being in his
own world

FAMOUS AND AUTISTIC?

Bill Gates

~socially awkward
~high intelligence
~single-minded focus
~flat tone of voice
~rocking motion

FAMOUS AND AUTISTIC?

Susan Boyle

~above average IQ
~bullied as a child
~shy
~relationship difficulties
~struggled in school
~artistically gifted

IS IT ASPERGERS SYNDROME?

Autism:

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a

group of complex disorders of brain development

Aspergers Syndrome:
A high functioning form of Autism; a lifelong
disability that affects how a person makes sense
of the world, processes information, and relates
to people

ASPERGERS CHARACTERISTICS
~Average or above in measured intelligence
~Difficulties with social interactions
~Stereotypical behaviors and interests:
repetitive movements, sensory sensitivity,
poor motor coordination, compulsive
repetition, and intense area of interest
NOTE: Gifted children who are quiet or intense may be
misdiagnosed as having Aspergers Syndrome

SORTING ACTIVITY

Within your group:

~Open your envelope and sort the
characteristics into two
categories:
Gifted Child
Gifted with
Aspergers

GIFTED, ASPERGERS OR BOTH?

Gifted Child

Gifted Child with

Aspergers
*Sees the whole picture
*Tends to focus on parts
& patterns
*Insight is unusually good *Are not blinded by
common assumptions
(due to lack of insight
about the feelings, needs,
and interests of others)
*Can see multiple
*Sees one correct
solutions to a problem
solution to a problem
*May have language of an *Pedantic, seamless
older child
speech
*Early development of
*Early development of
reading with extensive
reading with extensive
vocabulary; understands
vocabulary; prefers

TEACHERS OF GIFTED ASPERGERS

CHILD
What should we do?
*Use their interests to motivate
*Increase structure, predictability and consistency throughout
the day to reduce anxiety graphic organizers, maintain
schedule, smooth transitions
*Chunk long term projects
*Use precise and concise language
*Assign pairs/groupings based on interests
*Monitor peer interactions (watch for signs of bullying,,
growing frustration)
*Role play difficult social challenges
*Provide an atmosphere where the student will feel accepted

FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS

1. Which of the following is characteristic of a
person with Aspergers Syndrome?

a. They do not see the big picture and focus on

parts and patterns.
b. Speech patterns are often pedantic, and
delivered in a flat affect.
c. Are able to immerse themselves in material
and often hyper-focus.
d. All of the above

ANSWER #1
1.Which of the following is characteristic of a
person with Aspergers Syndrome?
a. They do not see the big picture and focus on
parts and patterns.
b. Speech patterns are often pedantic, and
delivered in a flat affect.
c. Are able to immerse themselves in material and
often hyper-focus.
d. All of the above

FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS

2. One way a gifted student with
Aspergers differs from a gifted student
is:
a. The AS gifted student sees the whole
big picture.
b. The AS gifted student has good
insight.
c. The AS gifted student has pedantic,
seamless speech.
d. The AS gifted student sees multiple
solutions to a problem.

ANSWER #2
2. One way a gifted student with
Aspergers differs from a gifted student
is:
a. The AS gifted student sees the whole
big picture.
b. The AS gifted student has good
insight.
c. The AS gifted student has pedantic,
seamless speech.
d. The AS gifted student sees multiple
solutions to a problem.

FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS

3.

Which of the following is a way to

differentiate for an AS student?

a. Provide multiple worksheets for student to

practice skills.
b. Teach social skills through scenarios and role
playing.
c. Encourage student to work in an unstructured
environment.
d. Allow the student to complete and present all
assignments to The Happy song.

ANSWER #3
3.

Which of the following is a way to

differentiate for an AS student?

a. Provide multiple worksheets for student to

practice skills.
b. Teach social skills through scenarios and role
playing.
c. Encourage student to work in an unstructured
environment.
d. Allow the student to complete and present all
assignments to The Happy song.

FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS

4. Why should a teacher provide the AS
gifted student with open-ended
questions?
a. To support creative and critical skills
b. To support problem solving and decisionmaking skills.
c. Open ended questions are easier to grade and
teachers hate true/false assessments.
d. Both a and b

ANSWER #4
4. Why should a teacher provide the AS
gifted student with open-ended
questions?
a. To support creative and critical skills
b. To support problem solving and
decision-making skills.
c. Open ended questions are easier to
grade and teachers hate true/false
assessments.
d. Both a and b

FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS

5. Which teaching accommodations are
helpful to a gifted child with AS?
a. The teacher sends the student to Ms.
Chanss office for extended periods of
the day.
b. Provide visual, auditory, and tactile
methods of input.
c. Frequent use of organizers, diagrams,
and concrete visual images.
d. Both b and c.

ANSWER #5
5. Which teaching accommodations are
helpful to a gifted child with AS?
a. The teacher sends the student to Ms.
Chanss office for extended periods of
the day.
b. Provide visual, auditory, and tactile
methods of input.
c. Frequent use of organizers, diagrams,
and concrete visual images.
d. Both b and c.

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