Dear all
We have recently recruited a number of students with Aspergers and Autism
to a number of Humanities based courses in the University. One course has
three students with autism in the same year. This is a Creative Writing
course with large amounts of group work involved.
Two or three of the students are very vocal in lectures. Often the
contributions are appropriate but frequently they are not. On several
occasions students have made offensive remarks to staff and other students.
For one student we have recruited an assistant to give him signals as to
when is appropriate to contribute and when not. We have also offered staff
development sessions on autism and Aspergers.
Staff have also been given advice on giving clear instruction to students
as to when contributions are acceptable and when they aren't. However,
lecturing staff are saying they are still struggling and would like some
guidance as to at what point the behaviour becomes so unacceptable we can
no longer use reasonable adjustments.
Has anyone had a similar situation arise and have any of you been able to
deal with it satisfactorily? Does anyone have any thoughts on the issues?
If people would prefer you can contact me off-list at [log in to unmask]
Thanks for your patience.
Steve O'Melia
|