K-12 Schooling
Planning a family vacation with Autism – 10 tips for success
By Alex Plank on November 2, 2018
Going on vacation is is supposed to be relaxing but it can often turn out to be the opposite for those on the spectrum if we don’t plan it right. And for parents of autistics, that stress can spread to the whole family. When I was a kid, my parents made a lot of efforts […]How to Deal with Classrooms and Autism
By Alex Plank on March 31, 2013
I realize that not every part of this will be applicable in every country. We have different educational systems, and this is tailored to mine. This is meant as an inspiration to what you can do to make the student-teacher relationship go well from the beginning.
When I begin a new semester there’s a...
An Autism Anthropologist in Need of Help: Special Education and Autism
By Alex Plank on January 24, 2012
I remember well the first time I heard the title of Oliver’s Sack’s book, An Anthropologist on Mars (1995.) I had seen the movie Awakening and read a couple stories from The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. I remember hearing that it was how a woman with autism described her experience in the...
Back-to-School Basics – Asperger Mom
By Alex Plank on September 14, 2011
OK, I’m a nerd….I’ll admit it. I’m one of those kids who loved school, adored books and even enjoyed a challenging homework assignment! (Can’t you just see that...
Two students suspended for hair styles pull out of school – Denton Record Chroni
By Alex Plank on September 21, 2005
Google News reports:Two students suspended for hair styles pull out of school Denton Record Chronicle (subscription), TX - ... Aug. 22. Skyler Burns is autistic and suffers from Asperger's Disorder, a type of pervasive developmental disorder, she said. The ... |
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Parents claim teacher restrained kid – Boston Herald
By Alex Plank on September 17, 2005
Google News reports:Parents claim teacher restrained kid Boston Herald, United States - ... But Barry Grushkin said he was never told restraints were being used on his daughter, Anaya ? who has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism ? until he ... |
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Teacher abuse worries parents of autistic kids in N.C.
By Alex Plank on November 28, 2004
The New Observer carries this AP report::Parents commit an act of faith every day when they send their children to school, trusting that teachers and administrators will take proper care of their offspring.
That's especially true for parents of autistic children, some of whom can't speak for themselves when trouble arises. And a couple of recent cases alleging abuse by teachers are especially troubling for that reason. The Charlotte...
East Lansing, Ingham schools sued over autistic student’s care
By Alex Plank on October 26, 2004
Detroit Free Press Reports:A woman says in a lawsuit that an agency working for the East Lansing School District repeatedly left her 21-year-old autistic son alone in a locked car rather than caring for him.
Social skills in school
By Alex Plank on September 18, 2004
The site www.naspcenter.org has a factsheet page on social skills. I found their definition of the different types of social skills very interesting.1. Survival skills (e.g., listening, following directions, ignoring distractions, using nice or brave talk, rewarding yourself)
2. Interpersonal skills (e.g., sharing, asking for permission, joining an activity, waiting your turn)
3. Problem-solving skills (e.g., asking for help, apologizing,...
Back to school – homework
By Alex Plank on September 2, 2004
Home work - love it or hate it, if you are going back to school or college soon you will most likely be getting lots of it. Heres a good site for help with basic topics, www.factmonster.com . They have a user friendly site for looking up facts and figures, with a daily spelling bee too. It also has games and quizzes. One important point with homework is planning it, so that its not left to the last minute and panic sets in!