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  • 1.  Curriculum/Activities for Young Non-Verbal ASD Students

    Posted 09-09-2024 18:30

    Hello

    One of the sections I am teaching this year includes several different groups of small ASD classes. Variety of ages. A lot of the practice in special ed and Autism in theatre is geared towards upper elementary or teenagers who, even if they can't read fluently, can at least speak and listen beginning enough to grow in those areas.

    A couple of the groups I have are very young and some/if not all are non-verbal and are also getting 1:1 on support from one of our assistants most the time.

    So a lot of the elementary theatre curriculum doesn't fit and a lot of the ASD oreinted activites are still a bit advanced for these young kids in small groups.

    Kind of have to switch to a new activity every 10-15 minutes or sooner too So requires a lot of planning. Can't really soak and savor an activity.

    Fortunately I am teaching a broad subject of all performing arts. Theatre/Dance/Music. So I can try and hit a lot of different mediums in order to keep it fresh and stimulating.

    Curious if anyone has any advice with highest setting level alternative school special ed theatre. The school normally never has any performing arts so there's no precedent to jump onto. Also nice because the school is open to any ideas. Non-verbal is tricky. and for some classes when they are verbal they are just screaming.

    Thanks in advance for any ideas or advice



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    Wesley Hortenbach
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  • 2.  RE: Curriculum/Activities for Young Non-Verbal ASD Students

    Posted 09-18-2024 09:35

    Hey Wesley!

    There's a great thread here that may be worth checking out as a starting point!



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    Kirsti Lewis
    People Like Us
    http://peoplelikeusdoc.com
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    We help theatre educators create more effective learning environments for students with developmental disabilities.
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  • 3.  RE: Curriculum/Activities for Young Non-Verbal ASD Students

    Posted 09-18-2024 15:49

    Thank you Kristi for the suggestions

    My big hold up is that so much of the common special ed curriculum doesn't work for my students. I have taught special ed and disability theatre work in the past and have books but this group this year is a much more intense setting.

    Trying to figure out what sorts of activities are possible when they are non-verbal and also can't really listen or take in directions super well either.

    So many videos and examples I see are with artists with down syndrome or wheelchairs or Autism. They are all great and there's something to learn from all of it but I have groups of just four people or less or more and a couple support staff and the students maybe run around make Nosie or scream or hit themself but can't really take direction or engage collaborative without almost being puppeted by para



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    Wesley Hortenbach
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    Original Message


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