Autism Transitions - Conor Loved His First Year of Middle School

Transitions can be difficult for children with autism. We were anxious at the start but we were prepared with a good plan and good help from everyone at the school and district. Very special thanks to Teacher Assistant Brad Daniels who was outstanding.

Conor himself though was most responsible for his great year. Above is Conor with his Perfect Attendance certificate for which he also received the trophy above, right. Conor received ABA instruction, including Discrete Trial Training, as well as activity and time in general areas like the gym, pool, kitchen and library.

For those who think that ABA is somehow "oppressive" and "robs an autistic child of his personality" Conor's perfect attendance, and the enthusiasm he showed each day being the first in our household, every single day without fail, to head for the family car to get to school, say otherwise.

autism

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Conor Eager to Get to Middle School

We were anxious about how Conor would handle the transition to middle school this year. We put a plan in place and carried it out with the help of the school team. But Conor is the main player on the team and he has done very well. These pictures taken yesterday show Conor ready to go to school, heading out the door 20 minutes early. He wants to get to middle school!











C'mon Dad get away from the computer.
























Dad put the coffee down, let's go.




















Dad, you are so old and slow!












Ah! Finally, it's about time!

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Autism Transitions - Middle School

Transitions are often difficult for children with autism, particularly those at the lower functioning end of the autism spectrum, for whom it is more difficult to explain major changes in their lives. When we moved from our old house to our current home in December 2005 we prepared Conor with a storybook with pictures of "old house" and "new house" and we took him for drives over to the new house to see it several times before making the move. It went well.

Tuesday will be Conor's first day at Nashwaaksis Middle School after 6 years, K-5, at Nashwaaksis Memorial School. All summer we worked with Conor trying to get him ready for the transition to Middle School. Fortunately, the Middle School also hosts two community events the Fredericton Indoor Pool which has been like a second home for Conor who loves to swim and a public library which Conor has visited often with his therapists. We visited Middle School with Conor and toured the school earlier in the summer and did so again this week. We were able to introduce him to his Methods and Resource teacher and show him the area where he will be spending most of his time.

Conor is fortunate to have two Teacher Assistants who will work with him for on shifts for most of the school day who have received training at the UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training Program. One of them is a TA who worked with him his last year of grade school which should help ease the transition. The Resource Teacher working with Conor this year has also received AIT training and has substantial autism intervention experience. Nothing is guaranteed, particularly with such a big transition, but there is much reason to be hopeful - and thankful - as Conor starts his transition to Middle School.

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