What is Autism?

Max's Spice 2 class did a presentation for the teachers at his school to help them understand more about Autism. Max's special needs teacher is an amazing lady. She does so much for the her classes at Max's school. WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE  HER.
Here is the outline of the presentation.

WHAT IS AUTISM?
Autism is a developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact with others.
Just to clarify a few things, What we are explaining is NOT a disease.
As explained in the previous slide, Autism is DISABILITY!
Each person with Autism id different in some way.

What is SPICE?
S- Social
P-Pragmatics
I-Independence
C- Communication
E- Emotional Regulation

SPICE teachers students with Autism and other mental disabilities how to operate in Social environments, manage their emotions, work on organizational/executive functioning skills and focuses on learning independent living skills.

DID YOU KNOW?!
 -  The creator of Pokemon had Autism?
 -  Satoshi Tajiri
 -  Guess who else?
 -  Dan Harmon
 -  Susan Boyle
 - Temple Grandin

SOMETIMES STUDENTS WITH AUTISM GET STRESSED EASILY...
Homework overload.
Hard to understand directions.
New Surrounding. (New Class, New School)
Fire Drills/Lock-downs
Test Taking
Getting to school later than usual (road closures, rush hour).
Not getting work down on time.

-NOTE TAKING-
Let's say someone is taking notes and they are
 falling behind the rest of the class.
What is a way that they can stay on track while taking notes?

- Use Chromebook for notes. (Google Docs)
- Give copy of notes ahead of time
- use fill in the blank notes
- Post notes on Google Classroom

-UNCLEAR DIRECTIONS-
Give clear and slow directions.
Clarify and /or repeat directions.
Give a written directions.
Have a peer repeat and clarity the directions to them.
Check for understanding.

MORE THINGS THAT MIGHT CAUSE STRESS
New events on a schedule either in class, personally,
 or any event on campus at school.(Pep Assemblies,
Field trips, Doctors appointments, Etc).
 Presenting a project in front of a class.
     (Stage Fright)
Trying to keep up with the class while taking notes.
Reading aloud in class.
Silence at times.
Being called out in class.

WHAT TO DO TO HELP WITH HOMEWORK OVERLOAD
Less homework problems/questions.
Do not give homework every single day.
Allow homework completion in class,
give the last 10 minutes of class to start working, that way,
questions can be answered if the students have them.
One specific due date for all homework assignments
(Example: All homework due by Thursdays).

TEST TAKING
Multiple Choice Questions - Less Choices
Provide word blanks.
study guides given ahead of time.
Able to test in another room (small group testing)
Have the test read aloud.

IF THERE IS A FIRE DRILLS / LOCK DOWNS
Don't tell students when fire drills / lock downs are.
Give out specific jobs

HOW TO HELP WITH A SCHOOL PROJECT.
Explain the directions on how to complete the project.
Give specific roles so your group can succeed.
Assign an appropriate peer partner.
     To promote and help with social skills,
communication skills and organizational skills.
Chunk large projects.
     Give due dates for chunk projects
Allow alternative way to present the project.
     One on one, not in front of the entire class,
before school or after school, etc. 

INFORMATION OVERLOAD
Simplify directions.
Say the information clearer
chunking information
Focus on specific topics.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, each person with Autism is different.
If you've met one person with Autism,
you've truly only met one person with Autism.

HAVE RESPECT
HAVE COMPASSION
BUT MOST OF IMPORTANTLY, HAVE PATIENCE.

Max's own words

8/2/2018
Max wrote this ;letter to him self last year in his 5th hour class.

Dear Max,
You I hope will have a wonderful year. I often now have a perspective of that I am often seeing what I have done as much. Well, when someone come up to me they often say, "Your awesome, you did a great job for blank." My response is usually I smile or nod or some acknowledgement that I heard them. The point you meed to know how special you are. Your Olympian, Tiger, Eagle Scout, and a Child of God. You should find gratitude in all things. 

Max attended the AZYLF 2019

During the month of April, I was trying to figure out what
Max could do over the summer. 

I knew I didn't want him sitting around playing on his iPad.

 I prayed that I could find something for him to do. He did get a job and loved it,

 but I felt there was something more he needed.

 So, I search for programs that he could attend and found the

 Arizona Youth Leadership Form. 

He loved it!

He went for five days and had the most amazing time. He stayed in a dorm on the 14 floor and had a roommate and was learning about how to
transition from a youth to an adult. 

It was hard to let him go, but I have realized I need to let him spread his wings. 

Max came home so happy that he went. He even graduated from the program. 

We were not able to attend the graduation,
but was able to get some pictures from it. 

Max is wearing the navy blue shirt in the pictures. 

Here he is speaking at the Graduation. 

After he came home, he was thrilled that they invited him to come to state.

His peers are on church missions, getting married or moving on in life. 

Max on the other hand, is learning how to someday make that step. 

I think we did the right thing in holding him back in high school
 for two extra years on top of the regular four.

This next year will be Max's second year of being a senior. 

I have noticed Max is recognizing what is happening more around him. 

It warms my heart to see him growing into a wonderful young man. 

He is learning how to advocate for himself.
That has always been a struggle for him.

 I have noticed lots of people that have autism
 have a hard time advocating for themselves. 

The way we have helped him learn to advocate for himself is

 through rehabilitation, a goal in his IEP at school and

 I have made it a goal for him at home. 

About six months ago, Max noticed the young men in
our church who are a year younger than him
were preparing to serve a church mission. 

He said, "Mom everyone around me is growing up." 

My heart broke, broke into a million pieces

 that he felt left behind. 

I tried to hold back the tears, but they came. 

When you have a special needs child the tears often come
 when you least expect them to. 

I knew though, that Max had surpassed them
in ways they would never reach. 

He is gentle, kind, loving, friendly, helpful and he always smiles.

 Max doesn't see the bad in people only the good. 

Max has been an example to me.
He has taught me how to have patience. 

He has taught me how to love others.

He has been a blessing. 

Pure joy!

A trophy named after Max!

This Trophy is named after Max that the high school swim team coach

gives to one male and female once a year. 

So cool.

Max at his last orchestra concert. 

Max at the Night To Shine Prom with his swim team friends. 

Max and his date at Night to Shine prom

Max when he was in the Mr. Wonderful Pageant. 

Max went on the Pioneer Trek in 2016

Max on Crutches.

Max inured  his ankle playing baseball. 

He was running from second base to third when he twisted his ankle. 

He has been a trooper though it all. 

I made covers with padding for the arm rest on his crutches with Diamondback material. 

He is now glad to be off of crutches and so am I.

This picture was taken on Mother's day. It was a special day for three reasons.

1. A day to remember our Mother's

2. A day we spent as a family before Max's brother left for Basic Training. 

3. Max was ordained an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Max with his Grandma, brother Malachi and Dad. 

Max with most of his siblings. Missing his sister. 

Max got his first job ever!!!

June 10, 2019 

Max got his first job and he loves it.

 It's hard to believe that Max once was unable to talk and now he is working. 

He is learning how to communicate with others outside the walls of our home.

 He is learning the value of work and how he can contribute to the society. 

Congratulations Max!