Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Autism and Asperger Syndrome

Autism and Asperger Syndrome are two "pervasive developmental disorders", a cluster of disorders
characterized by marked impairments in the development of social interaction and communication
skills.

Characteristics:
 often display a lack of responsiveness and unawareness of social situations
 may have little or no spoken language
 often exhibit restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour

How to help students with Asperger Syndrome:

 Establish a safe area in which a student can calm down, away from the overstimulation of the
classroom
 Modify the environment
 Modify instructions

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

A disability in which children consistently show one or more of these characteristics over a period of
time:

 Inattention: fails to give close attention to details, makes careless mistakes, has difficulty
sustaining attention in tasks, does not seem to listen, does not follow instructions, has difficulty
in organizing, avoid and reluctant in engaging, easily distracted

 Hyperactivity: often fidgets with hands or feet, leaves seat in classroom, runs and climbs
excessively, has difficulty playing, talks excessively

 Impulsivity: often blurts out answers before questions have been completed, has difficulty
awaiting turn, interrupts and intrudes others

How to help students with ADHD:

 Seat them close to teacher, among attentive and well-focused students

 Make frequent eye contact
 Make sure their desks are free of distractions
 Provide opportunities to move around (exercise breaks, etc)
 Use physical contact to focus attention
 Most importantly, DO NOT PUNISH, DO NOT ASSUME STUDENTS ARE LAZY, DO NOT
GIVE UP ON THEM