Social Communication Problems

1531 Words7 Pages
In this assignment, the writer will focus on what he sees as the main challenge faced by students on the autistic spectrum as they transition from primary to mainstream second level education, paying particular attention to the unstructured times in the school day. The writer will discuss the challenge of social communication and social interaction a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder faces each time they step outside of the classroom and into the general population. The writer will address how poor social communication and interaction can lead to ones isolation from his peers. The writer will reference how this challenge can impact on the child’s anxiety levels, which in turn can result in, misinterpreted behavioural issues and meltdowns…show more content…
Social communication, social interaction are at the forefront of this. In the writer’s experience, schools are becoming increasingly dynamic environments and it is during unstructured times, a lot of incidents of note occur. As schools focus on forging an inclusive environment, supports are heavily weighted towards the classroom. Teachers differentiate their teaching and learning intentions to accommodate students, often serving as a gatekeeper for those students on the spectrum as they control and manage the social structure within the classroom. School for the most part is full of rules designed and implemented by adults and children with autism often excel at rules especially once they have an understanding and rationale for the rule. Social rules amongst adolescents however aren’t as clearly defined as there are a lot of factors at play. Navigating a corridor with crowds of students using abstract language whilst rushing to or from lessons can be a harrowing experience for most people, let along those students on the spectrum. At several stages throughout the day, students have unstructured times, before and after school, break times and transitions from one lesson to the next. It is during these times that the writer believes that a student on the spectrum can encounter an abundance of…show more content…
A trait of ASD is the struggle to initiate conversation with their peers, and if they do, they may talk incessantly about their interests or obsession as a coping mechanism in such a stressful environment. Whilst each individual on the spectrum is unique, verbal communication can prove a challenge for many, especially when there are sensory issues at play also. Naoki Higashida declared in his book, ‘The Reason I Jump’ that ‘he wondered for a long time why people with autism couldn’t talk properly’ and how he struggled to say what he meant, his words replaced with ‘verbal junk’. They may talk incessantly about their interests and not recognise that their peers are uninterested in their interests. Theory of Mind, which allows NTD student to interpret another’s thoughts, feeling or opinions and reciprocate is in stark contrast to a student on the spectrum who doesn’t possess ToM and fail to accept their peers point of view or observation during a conversation. Failure to regulate conversation coupled with an inability to recognise the intentions of others could ultimately lead to their isolation from their peer group as their peers become weary of one way conversations and
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