The panel for this session discussed their experience implementing "My Turn: A Sensory Friendly Sunday," it's inception, success, and the immense impact of uniting multiple partner museums and community organizations. Panelists will include education and accessibility staff from the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and project partners from Aim High School and The Center for Neuropsychology, Learning and Development.
Children of various disabilities; which include children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are one of the fastest growing developmental disorder in the US.
This panel discussed their experiences on influencing their community to move their ways in helping children with ASD.
But first- What is Austism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs a child's ability to communicate and interact with others. It also includes restricted repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. These issues cause significant impairment in social, occupational and other areas of functioning. (Mayo Clinic, 2014)
Challenges Faced:
1) Social interactions
- Trouble eating, depends on mood and sleep.
- Trouble Focusing - twirls, fidgets objects to prevent from going through daily productivity
- Trouble with making connections: no eye contact, unreciprocating communication, inability to put themselves in someone's shoes (can't expect reciprocacy)
Methods of Support-
- Reinforce behavior- specific praise. "I like how you share."
- Model the activity - show how to engage with the materials. Get on their level, and lead by example. Find what works for them, and connect it to their interests.
Example: Child likes robots, spell their name out with a robot voice!
- Demonstrate social interaction, turn- taking and reciprocity.
- Use their strengths including sense of humor, affinity for music, rote memorization or visuals (timer).
- Use social stories and picture cues.
2) Speech and Language Challenges
- It's hard to maintain eye contact to generate a sentence.
- Hesitation, stumbling
- Have very straightforward simple thinking skills.
Methods of Support:
* Train staff to be enthusiastic, without overwhelming the child.
* Don't take it personally if children with ASD doesn't reciprocate communication.
* Do whatever you can to communicate and engage, and make the child feel safe and welcomed.
3) Sensory processing Disorder
- Children with autism may process sensory input differently
- Visual, tactile, and sensory overload can put the child in distress.
Methods of Support:
Have various sensory friendly items ready, which include noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, weighted lap pads, and maintaining neutral tone of voice.
4) Behavior
- Look at behavior as communication. The child is trying to let you know how they feel.
- Stay as neutral as possible.
- Use pictures to help understanding, or get communication across.
- Don't force participation
- Talk to parents/ give personal space/ ignore mild issues- fight bigger battles, but don't let the little ones go.
So what can we do to help support children with ASD?
GET YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVED!
Reach out to community organizations that foster help for children with ASD, partner with organizations that have similar mission statements and goals, and work together to share resources provided for the community.
The underlying message of this panel, is to create awareness, empathy, and understanding of children with ASD, and to be active by encouraging the community to explore more sensory friendly resources and interactions. Most of the time, they can't communicate like we do- but it's our mission and goal to have their voices heard.
Some resources provided:
Free sensory friendly program, registration done online
Social stories, written in 1st person from childs perspective.
Schedule cards
Other outcomes and partnerships:
Project - Sean is conductive research sensory tactile to help with sensory motor function. He brought prototypes (Sensory surface stretch color - stretchy IPAD to composite color on how hard they touch surface)
Masterpieces - nonprofit organization that focuses on music and art therapy class for individuals with special disabilities.
Growing Together - volunteer project - pair up college student with child with special disabilities through different modules.
-Megan
Sounds like a great session - really useful information to help with our Sensory Storytime! This definitely ties back to Holly Peete's opening discussion yesterday as well - getting the community involved and creating opportunities for these children and their families!
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