How to make moving school make sense: a parents' guide to smooth school transition for the child with Asperger syndrome

Moving to a new school can be a daunting prospect for the child with Asperger syndrome, and parents are often left feeling powerless to help prevent the anxiety and loss of confidence which may ensue. Clare Lawrence's new book provides parents of children with Asperger syndrome with practical advice on how to prepare their child for moving to a new school, and how to help make the transition as smooth as possible. A wide range of material is covered, including useful guidance on choosing the right school, supporting the child during the period prior to the move, and identifying and practising the different social rules and expectations of the new school. The strategies in the book can be adapted for children of all ages and include working out a transition time-line, identifying a named adult and'safe haven'at the school, and effective communication between parents, teachers and support staff. This clear and accessible book will be an invaluable resource for parents of children with AS who are moving to a new school, and will also be of interest to the teachers and education professionals who work with them. AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND THE TRANSITION INTO SECONDARY SCHOOL: A Handbook for Implementing Strategies in the Mainstream School Setting by Marianna Murin, Josselyn Hellriegel and Will Mandy......Page 5 Acknowledgements......Page 9 Introduction and Instructions for the Transition Pack......Page 11 Part One - Creating an Individualised Transition Plan......Page 15 Part Two - Resource Chapters......Page 27 1. General Support With Transition to Secondary School......Page 28 2. Social Interaction......Page 34 3. Language Difficulties......Page 40 4. Difficulties with Imagination and Flexible Thinking......Page 47 5. Bullying......Page 54 6. Planning and Organisation Problems......Page 63 7. Sensory Sensitivities......Page 71 8. Anxiety......Page 78 9. Challenging Behaviour......Page 87 10. Conditions that co-occur with ASD......Page 95 Bibliography......Page 102 Part Three - Appendices......Page 105 Appendix 1 - Adult Screening Questionnaire......Page 106 Appendix 2 - Child Screening Questionnaire......Page 114 Appendix 3 - Transition Management Plan......Page 117 Appendix 4 - Pupil Profile......Page 120 Appendix 5 - How Does the Triad of Impairments Present in the Classroom?......Page 122 Appendix 6 - Turn-Taking......Page 127 Appendix 7 - Rules in Conversation and Rules when Entering a Group......Page 129 Appendix 8 - Carol Gray’s Social StoriesTM......Page 131 Appendix 9 - Circle of Friends......Page 133 Appendix 10 - Personalised Timetable......Page 136 Appendix 11 - Prompt Cards......Page 138 Appendix 12 - Lunch Time Activity Timetable......Page 139 Appendix 13 - Buddy System......Page 140 Appendix 14 - Emotional Thermometer......Page 141 Appendix 15 - Emotional Toolbox......Page 142 Appendix 16 - STAR Record Form......Page 144 Appendix 17 - Sensory Equipment......Page 145 Appendix 18 - Bullying Resources......Page 147 Appendix 19 - Goal, Plan, Do, Review......Page 149 Appendix 20 - Homework......Page 150 Appendix 21 - Explaining the Diagnosis of ASD to the Child: A Handout for Parents/Carers......Page 152 Appendix 22 - Relaxation Strategies......Page 157 Appendix 23 - Skills and Abilities......Page 167 Appendix 24 - My Transition Workbook......Page 169 Blank Page......Page 2 Moving to a new school can be a daunting prospect for the child with Asperger syndrome, and parents are often left feeling powerless to help prevent the anxiety and loss of confidence which may ensue. Clare Lawrence's new book provides parents of children with Asperger syndrome practical advice on how to prepare their child for moving to a new school, and how to help make the transition as smooth as possible. A wide range of material is covered, including useful guidance on choosing the right school, supporting the child during the period prior to the move, and identifying and practising the different social rules and expectations of the new school. Strategies covered in the book include working out a transition time-line, identifying a named adult and 'safe haven' at the school, and effective communication between parents, teachers and support staff. This clear and accessible book will be an invaluable resource for parents of children with AS who are moving to a new school, and will also be of interest to the teachers and education professionals who work with them. "Lawrence, a teacher, autism worker, school governor, and mother of a child with Asperger's syndrome, helps parents of children with Asperger's syndrome, as well as teachers and education professionals, prepare their child to move to a new school. She addresses choosing the right school, supporting the child before, during, and after the transition, and identifying and practicing the new social rules and expectations of the school. Focusing on transitions from primary to secondary school, she suggests such strategies as identifying a named adult and "safe haven," identifying useful technologies, looking at strategies to minimize distress at leaving the old school, and monitoring and supporting homework." --Reference & Research Book News, 05/01/2010 A practical resource to help schools support pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder as they transition from primary to secondary school Asperger syndrome,photocopiable