hello.......
yes I too teach autistic children in a Special Education Unit who understand
visual communication far easier than spoken or written communication.
I often use a tool called 'Social Stories' which are simple drawings I do
and the student interacts with by drawing as well. These explain emotive,
or social issues which may be found difficult to understand or process but
drawing the issue out assists the processing.
However, one child of 8 I teach, draws quite unendly at home and his
imaginative world is so rich it is awesome to behold. Visual literacy is his
key communication source. My job (as i see it) is to connect the worlds of
visual communication with verbal and written to expand his word/ open it out
HOPEFULLY without destroying his wonderful visual perception/s. I also dont
want to derail his visual development in lieu of his written etc
communication which is held in greater respect in the cognitive sphere of
the schools i have worked in.............
He draws great, horizontally long, narratives on bits of A3 paper stuck
together. He started to use this format when I showed him some oriental
scroll drawings/work and spoke about how their drawings unfolded bit by bit
and one is not to see them totally unfolded. We often draw/write together
and develop stories with me acting as scribe for his wonderous stories
(since he dislikes handwriting) and inventions of times, places, people, and
ideas.
I feel a little lost as to the directions to take with him as he is one of
the most amazing drawers I have ever seen and I am not a 'Special' Education
teacher but am trained as an Art Teacher. Mostly, I take the route of
serendipity, randomly meandering though what he has seen and experienced and
thought about in his eight years of life.
It seems strange that this form of communication (visual literacy)has
little credibility educationally from where i sit but in an increasingly
visual world maybe the mix of communication systems will be a thing of the
future.............. janet holmes
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robin Whitmore" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 6:48 PM
Subject: Drawing with adults with learning disabilities
>I run a group for young adults with learning disabilities- about half of
>whom are autistic. Drawing is a vital part of the work we do. For our
>students it is a tool for developing concentration; is a vital means of
>self expression for those who find communication difficult; it has a
>profound effect on self esteem and can help calm someone whose mind is
>racing and confused.
> One of our most successful projects has been to work with one young
> autistic man who finds understanding social rules very difficult. He would
> not understand for example that you cannot approach a strange woman in the
> street and hug her. By encouraging him to draw a cartoon sequence of
> events just after they have occurred he is able to show his thoughts and
> actions separately and is beginning to understand that although he is free
> to think what he likes, social mores require him to control his actions.
> This would be so difficult to explain verbally without picture references.
> The fact that he makes his own drawings means he is able to process the
> information more clearly, as well as helping us, the support staff , to
> understand his perception of the world.
>
> We are currently putting together a book with a range of exercises and
> games for use with anyone with learning disabilities. I would be
> interested to know if anyone has any suggestions for drawing activities
> that might be included or if you know of anyone whose work might be
> relevant.
>
> Thanks
> Robin
>
>
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