Autism

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This page is hosted by Vivienne Wire, Princial Teacher of the Communication Centre at Loudoun Academy in East Ayrshire, Scotland.

In recent years the numer of pupils being diagnosed with autism has increased considerably. Some of them are included in modern language classes, perhaps with support, and some are withdrawn specifically from this subject. Yet all are young Europeans, entitled to an opportunity to learn a foreign language and to acquire some cultural awareness. My experiences have convinced me that pupils with autism should be offered the same opportunities as other young people and can benefit from them.

The material on this page provides the evidence which underpins my conviction and describes some of the strategies which have proved useful. I shall from time to time add other resources which seem to me to be hepful in this context, and I should be glad to hear of any other resources or strategies which teachers, parents or carers have found helpful. Please contact me.


	Learning a second language - everyone's right, or not right for everyone? This is an account of research I carried out as part of my Masters Degree. I set out to explore the experience of foreign language learning for pupils in Scotland who have a communication disorder of the high functioning autistic type.

Introduction:
Chapter 1:
Chapter 2:
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:
Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Epilogue & Post Script

Abstract, Acknowledgements, Contents & Prologue

Literature review and general background

The research questions

Methodology

Case Study

Results from data collection

Discussion and evaluation of results

References

Appendix 1:

Appendix 2:

Summary Planning Grid:

Questionnaires

Gaelic medium education

Learner characteristics and implications for MFL learning and teaching


	Communication & Interaction Difficulties
	My contribution to the EU report mentioned on the news page can be downloaded here as a PDF file.


	A difficulty, oui, a deficit, non
	Link to an article published by the Times Educational Supplement Scotland in May 2002.


	Autistic Spectrum Disorders and learning foreign languages

	This is an electronic version of my article published in Support for Learning, the British Journal of Learning Support, Volume 20, Number 3, August 2005. © NASEN 2005


	DfES resource Children with autism: strategies for accessing the curriculum: modern foreign languages Published in 2004 by North West SEN Regional Partnership. Available to download at: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/sen/teacherlearningassistant/ ASDKS34/


	AUTISM-EUROPE A portal linking related sites in 31 European countries. Includes the EU Charter for Persons with Autism. http://www.autismeurope.org/portal/Default.aspx?tabid=469


	Times Educational Supplement online staffroom A thread about teaching languages to children with autism was started on 11th May 2007 http://www.tes.co.uk/section/staffroom/thread.aspx?story_id=2379703&path=/modern%20languages/&threadPage=1


	The National Autistic Society (http://www.nas.org.uk) has launched a page on working with an Asperger pupil in secondary school. See: http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1393&a=12212 See also the page on support during lessons and breaktimes: http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1393


	This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.


	This page updated: 1.11.07		TOP
	This page updated: 1.11.07