Learning Styles for Children with Autism By: Eleanor Gustafson - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Learning Styles for Children with Autism By: Eleanor Gustafson

Introduction… • Multiple Intelligences • Right Brain vs Left Brain • Gregorc Style Delineator • Learning Skills • Strategies for Practitioners

• Three “main” styles of learning • Visual • Audio • Kinesthetic

Left Brain vs Right Brain • Visual • Verbal • Intuitive & Simultaneous • Analytical & Sequential • Details Whole • Whole -> Details • Pictures Whole Brain Development. 2015

Multiple Intelligences • Theory of Multiple Intelligence Howard Gardner • Late 1970s - Early 1980s • Challenges IQ - Promotes Intellectual Capacities Multiple Intelligences Oasis

Multiple Intelligences • Interpersonal • Visual/Spatial • Bodily/Kinesthetic • Intrapersonal • Musical/Rhythmic • Naturalist_____ • Verbal/Linguistic • Existential • Mathematical/Logical • Pedagogical

Visual/Spatial • Visual Learners • Spatially Organize Environment • Learning Strengths: Maps, Charts, Puzzles, Lists

Bodily/Kinesthetic • Use Part or Whole of body to solve problems or create products • Games & Movement • Learning Strengths: Hands-on Tasks, touching, moving, processing through bodily sensations

Musical/Rhythmic • Rhythm, Pitch, Meter, Tone, and Melody • Learning Strengths: Picking up sounds, remembering melodies, Singing • Sing, Play Instruments, Compose Music

Mathematical/Logical Verbal/Linguistic • Word Meaning & Order • Numbers • Sound, Rhythms, • Reasoning & Logic Inflections and Meter of Words • Learning Strengths: Problem-solving, math, • Learning Strengths: patterns Reading, writing, memorizing dates, thinking in words

Intrapersonal Interpersonal • Self Intelligence • Social Intelligence • Aware of Feelings, • Sensitive to moods, Goals, and feelings, temperaments Anxieties and motivations • Learning Strengths: • Learning Strengths: Work alone, Sharing, Comparing, Reflecting, Setting Understanding People goals

Naturalist Others • Existential Intelligence: big • Nature Intelligence questions • Values the outdoors, ✦ “Why are we here?” animals, nature “What is our role in the world?” • Learning Strengths: Understanding and • Pedagogical Intelligence: Working in Nature, Teaching Intelligence Exploring, Making Distinctions ✦ The ability to convey knowledge or skill to others

Gregorc Style Delineator • Four Learning Styles • Concrete Sequential • Abstract Sequential • Concrete Random • Abstract Random

Concrete Sequential • Direct, hands on experience • Order and a logical sequence to tasks • Follows directions well • Learning Strengths: Checklists, Outlines, Charts

Concrete Random • Experimental • Risk Taker • Uses trial and error to work out solutions • Learning Strengths: Creating Products, Open- Ended Work, Games and Simulation

Abstract Sequential • Likes working with ideas and symbols • Logical and sequential in thinking • Likes to focus on the task without distractions • Learning Strengths: Reading, Working alone, Lecture, Essays

Abstract Random • Focuses attention on people and surroundings • Prefers discussions and conversations that are wide ranging • Wants time to reflect on experiences • Learning Strengths: Role play, Group Discussion, Peer group work, Arts, Media & Music

How does this relate to Autism? • Learning deficits • Learning skills needed • Strategies for Practitioners

Learning Deficits • Social Communication • Social Interaction • Restricted and Repetitive patterns of behavior • Impairment in Social, Occupational, other areas of functioning

Learning Skills Needed • Social Skills • Emotion Regulation Skills • Managing Change in the Environment

Social Skills • Communication • Reciprocal Interaction • Eye Contact • Staying Engaged

Emotion Regulation Skills • Deep Breathing Exercises • Fidgets • Staying Calm • Problem-solving Process • Flexibility

Managing Change • Visual Supports • Early Preparation • Social Stories • Relaxation Techniques

How do you find Learning Style? • Provide an environment in which there are multiple learning methods presented • Show a task that needs to be accomplished (Visual), describe the task (Audio), demonstrate the task (Kinesthetic). • Sing during the task or put a rhythmic cadence on the task • Identify distractions - make appropriate modifications

Gregorc Learning Possible Multiple Intelligences What you may see in these How they learn Clues to successful regulation Useful strategies Style learners Concrete Sequential Visual/Spatial • Ordered • Checklists • Visual Input • Visual Charts and Timelines Mathematical/Logical • Structured • Outlines • Open/close windows • Puzzles Bodily/Kinesthetic • Practical • Charts • Oil and Water toys • Coloring • Hands-on • Computers • Vestibular Input • Time Duration Maps • Detailed • Short Lectures • Circles • Hands-on Experience • Exact • Crash and Bump • Demonstrations • Up/Down/Front/Back • Board Games Abstract Sequential Verbal/Linguistic • Logical • Reading • Auditory Input • Listening to Classical music Intrapersonal • Academic • Working Alone • Variations in Noise Level • Singing during task Musical/Rhythmic • Structured • Lecture • Variations in Rhythm • Work in quiet room • Intellectual • Essays • Listening Programs • Reading • Reader • Content • Allowing for time alone • Evaluative “Type a quote here.” Concrete Random Intrapersonal • Independent • Games and Simulation • Oral Motor Input • Problem Solving Activities Existentialist • Creative • Creating Products • Drink Through Straw • Creating • Risk-Taker • Independent Study • Suck on Candy • Experimenting • Inventive • Open-Ended Work • Slow deep breaths • Open-ended Activities • Curious • Options • Chewies • Sequencing Activies • Problem Solvers • Few Restrictions • Intuitive • Investigative –Johnny Appleseed Abstract Random Bodily/Kinesthetic • Sensitive • Group Discussion • Tactile Input • Use Parachutes Music/Rhythmic • Emotional • Media & Music • Massage • Dancing Games Interpersonal • Personal • Personalized Work • Pet something soft • Allow for Fidgets to remain regulated • Imaginative • Role Play • Rub gently on skin/clothes • Use Music • Colorful • Arts • Fidgets • Social/Peer Groups • Discussion • Peer Group Work • Vestibular Input • Imaginative Play • Deep Feelings • Circles • Interpersonal Interaction • Flexible • Crash and Bump • Up/Down/Front/Back

Strategies for Practitioners • Sensory Regulation • Identify Multiple Intelligence • Identify Learning Style • Strengths!

Resources • Multiple Intelligences Oasis - Howard Gardner’s Official MI Site. (n.d.). Retrieved July 9, 2015. • Whole Brain Development. (2015). Retrieved July 9, 2015, from http://www.ucmas.ca/our-programs/whole- brain-development/left-brain-vs-right-brain/ • (2014, October). Gregorc Style Delineator. Counseling Children & Adolescents . Lecture conducted from Adler Graduate School, Richfield.