Asperger Syndrome Support Group
Asperger syndrome - also referred to as Asperger's syndrome, Asperger's, Aspergers or just AS - is one of five neurobiological pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), and is characterized by deficiencies in social and communication skills, normal to above normal intelligence, and standard language development.
I need some help please. My grandson, who lives with me, has an issue with school and I am going to see them about it. He has aspergers and is quite bright and tries so hard. He has a contact book that the teacher signs after every lesson and if he gets good comments he gets reward time at the end of the week where he used to be able to chat to someone. Now she has 13 kids to chat to with him! We live in Wales in the UK and there is NO help here, for anything let alone aspergers! I must say the headmistress of the school is excellent as is the special needs people, there is simply NO money. The school pay for him from their funds. However some teachers need help. The kids on report also have contact books so one of his teachers shouted out to all that 'that is about right for you, you are always on report!' The other kids now think he is naughty and keep away. Also they want to know why he goes to the 'hut' every Friday and etc and gets out of classes. He has no friends anyway and this comment and others have alienated him more. I need to tell the head this but don't want to sound bad against other teachers. I am sure they are just ignorant. My grandson is so upset about having no friends and asks why? He does stand out too unfortunately so gets extra picked on as he has blond hair and is 6' 2" at 13yrs!! Please can anyone give me their comments. Thankyou
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I think the teachers at your g-son's school need to have more information about Asperger's. Maybe you can find material to help educate them. The head mistress would most likely appreciate being informed of the way the other teacher singled your g-son out. You can word the "complaint" in such a way as not to be critical, but just information that this particular teacher, as well as others, may need to have more information provided to them on Asperger's, etc. And that you would like to be a part of that sharing of information, if it is appropriate. Mention that you can understand how the teacher might have been confused about the contact book and think that your son was on report, that she may be seeing your g-son with a different perspective if she knew more about ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) specifically Asperger's. Also explain that this is not just for your g-son but for all the kiddos in the school, now and in the future, since ASD is becoming more and more frequently diagnosed.
I am sure your g-son does not understand why an adult (the teacher) would single him out when he did not intend to be a problem. Those with Asperger's interpret what is said not what is meant. Difficulties in social communication and differences in brain functioning can interfere with social awareness and the ability to understand another person's point of view. Some concepts such as modesty and discretion can also be confusing to the adolescent.
My g-daughter also has what you refer to as a "contact" book. She is responsible for taking it to each of her classes and giving it to the teacher for comment about the day, homework, upcoming test date, etc. This has worked very well for us. I think the teacher that made the comment needs to be informed by the head why your g-son has the "contact book" so she can understand better. Also maybe his contact book needs to be a little different so as to look different, maybe in color, etc. We just use a 3 ring binder that I put in a week worth of sheets with subjects listed, and room for the comments, etc. There are pockets in the front and back of the 3 ring binder to allow returned paperwork, and assignments to be sent back and forth from home to school, etc.
I hope this has been helpful...I wish you luck, please let your g-son know he is not alone that there are many other young people (as well as older) that share his disorder and things will get better as he matures and understands and accepts himself.