Autism Awareness Week: Lessons from the Pandemic
Neurodiversity and ASC
Have you ever heard of the term Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is a term that views brain differences are normal, rather than deficits. The idea of neurodiversity can have benefits for people with learning and thinking differences that help reduce stigma around it; by being open and aware of these concepts and embracing diversity, we can become more inclusive. These differences can include those labelled with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASC), Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), to name a few.
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is a developmental condition that affects communication and behaviour. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is said to be a “developmental” condition because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.
Common traits associated with ASC are:
Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
Restricted interests and repetitive behaviours
Symptoms that affect person’s ability to function properly in school, work, and other areas of life
Autism is known as a “spectrum” condition because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience. ASC occurs in all ethnic, racial, and economic groups. Although ASC can be a lifelong condition, treatments and services can improve symptoms and the ability to function.
According to the British Medical Association, it is estimated that around 700,000 people in the UK have a diagnosis of autism, including 1 in 100 children.
World Autism Awareness Day
The National Autistic Society observes Autism Awareness Week from 29th March - 4th April. The world will also be observing World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) on 2nd April. The day aims to put a spotlight on the hurdles that people living with autism face every day.
“ Having a SEND or being taught in a second language is not a barrier to learning. These difficulties are simply obstacles which these learners need to overcome on their road to success and with your help, they can truly achieve” ”
Learning Online: Lessons from the Pandemic
The health crisis caused confusion, fear and anxiety amongst parents with school going children. It was even harder for the young person’s and parents of those with autism. Educators had to think quickly about how learning would continue. Many schools adopted online learning in response to the pandemic and, like any transition, the switch came with different challenges for everyone.
Life threw us lemons. What did we do?
The pandemic taught us is that technology can enable and enhance the learning process and engagement. Many argue that children with autism are not able to receive the attention that they need or desire from from physical class lessons, and this may be true.
However, many of our tutors who have been conducting online one-on-one tuition for young people with mild, medium and severe autism have shared insights into the lessons we can learn.
Some of the benefits include:
Learners could adjust the volume of the computer when they felt a teacher was speaking in low or high tones, as opposed to a classroom setting.
Some appreciate the fact that they don’t have to put up their hands, they simply message the teacher (they said it helps with anxiety).
One student said that the online lessons have helped her feel less “stupid” as she can quickly look up things online as the lessons are ongoing.
One expressed that he could easily go on a toilet break and not worry about missing out on the lesson because his tutor awaits him as opposed to larger classroom style teaching where the teacher would carry on with the lesson.
Some young people expressed gratitude to the new normal because tutors allowed them to record the lessons meaning, they could go back and listen over and over.
Some students who received iPads from Equal Education say that they are grateful as they have begun using the iPads more intuitively.
Having access to more online resources and tools has helped them explore interesting learning techniques that have made learning much easier and more fun.
Digital learning has made huge strides in a short time frame and is still evolving. We still need to look at adopting a hybrid model of learning to incorporate both the online and in-person? How can we meet the emotional and social needs of young learners, especially those with more complex needs?
As they say, Rome was not built in a day, so we will keep exploring and discovering new approaches and solution. We will make mistakes along the way but we will learn from those mistakes.
Anecdotally, thinking of a friend whose child had autism and were totally new and unaware of the condition who eventually, they took their son to a SEN school. They got a private tutor who walked the journey with the couple and child. Now they are 3 years in and the young lad is reading, writing and communicating with much more ease. He was integrated into mainstream school and is now at the top of his class!
Call to Action
Autism is not an abnormality, a disability or death sentence, it is simply a difference, a variation of the human brain which no young person should ever suffer by ridicule, stigmatisation or shame for living with it. Instead, we should embrace those living with ASC. We should support them and give them a chance to participate in the community and society. It is great to see companies including Microsoft implement neurodiversity recruitment programmes. Let us spread the word by sharing this article….Let us show support and care to those living with Autism.