Guest Speaker Series:

School Modifications Help Reduce Challenges for ASD Kids

Dr. Lisbet Montero, OTR/L, ASDCS, Founder and President of Mindful Occupational Therapy, Corp.

Dr. Montero shares with us on how parents and their ASD children are often faced with challenges in the school system and how a variety of changes may improve a child’s quality of life and impact on their success in the academic setting.

ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorders

ASD or autism spectrum disorders include social, communication, and behavioral challenges. These problems can be mild, severe, or somewhere in between. A diagnosis is based on the level of support needed - so getting an early diagnosis means treatment can begin sooner. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity.

Discussion of School System Challenges

In the past couple of months, I have noticed some wrinkles in the system that we should be discussing and developing a workable plan. Several parents have approached me about the difficulties that they are facing with the different schools, their protocols, and the way their programs are set up for children with special needs.

I am not saying that by any means there is a perfect system, but improvements can definitely be instituted. At times, because teachers and staff are often working in auto-pilot mode, is important and beneficial to have an outsider’s point of view for the clinicians, students, and parents alike.

Checklist of School District Services & Programs

Using a checklist works best if starting from selecting a school at the district or designated office. For the district, or superintendent’s office to make available a list of schools in the community that provide exceptional student education (ESE) services, class sizes, accommodations, the teacher-student ratio in the classroom, certified specialists if any, protocols for different situations, and availability of after-school programs for kids that are in the ESE program is a wonderful resource to work from.

The parents know their own child’s abilities, skills, strengths, and areas that need more support better than anyone else. Having a checklist of the possible programs within the different schools would help the parents make an informed decision on their child’s behalf.

Using a checklist as a resource would greatly improve the quality of life and the likelihood of that child succeeding in the academic setting.

Development and Management of Routines for ASD Kids

Routines are an extremely important aspect that provides stability and an expected structured base for neurotypical kids - for neurodivergent children, this becomes even more important.

Having a set routine and expected structure in place helps to decrease the possibilities that the routine will be disrupted. Keep in mind, that adhering to a new daily routine, setting, rules, expectations, etc. at the new school is hard enough for a child. Imagine now, having to switch teachers, classrooms, or even schools, because the school the parent enrolled the child in does not have the necessary resources to provide adequate education for the child’s needs.

Each and every time the child has to switch rooms, schools, teachers, etc, they have to “reset” to a new plan and new routine. The switch and reset episodes can be hard on the kids, parents, and teachers. The teachers, have my utmost respect, as they try to work wonders with the limited resources available to them.

Occupational Therapy Involvement

Another thing to consider is to have the occupational therapists at the schools not only complete evaluations and/or screenings but to take an active role as consultants to the families and teachers.

Occupational therapists can provide assistance not only in designing the classrooms to decrease distractions and improve attention, social skills, self-regulation, and problem-solving, but also by providing strategies to the teachers on how to help the child transition between tasks and reduce outbursts of frustration or other behaviors that may negatively impact the classroom’s dynamic.

While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, intensive, early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children.

Additional Information about Dr. Lisbet Montero, OTR/L, ASDCS, and Mindful Occupational Therapy, Corp.

Dr. Montero’s personal goal: “To assist kids to become as independent and functional as possible within their own limitations”

Website: Mindful Occupational Therapy

Mindful OT / Dr. Montero on LinkedIn

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