Autism Awareness: Friendships

Be A Meadow Brook Hero!

Safe. Respectful. Responsible.

Meadow Brook Elementary School is fortunate to serve lots of friends who are impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Here are some ways we can strengthen our bonds with friends who have ASD:

  1. Remember that friends with ASD value the friendships we share.  Just like our friends who don’t have autism, friends with ASD are each unique. Some friends with ASD are more social and some are less social.  We should make sure all our friends know we care about them.
  2. Remember to be patient when talking with and listening to friends with ASD.  Our friends with ASD tend to communicate in unique ways. If it takes a bit more time to share thinking with some friends than it does with others that’s ok.  You’ll find that taking the time to listen carefully and respond with kindness helps friendships grow.
  3. Speak clearly and show friends with ASD what you mean. Sometimes our friends with ASD need a little more time to understand what we’re talking about.  It’s important that we speak slowly and clearly when we’re talking with friends who have ASD.  We can also use hand gestures and even pictures to help communicate.  Our friends with ASD often like to see the things they’re hearing about.
  4. Include friends with ASD in your plans. Our friends with ASD like to play and have fun just like anyone else. Your parents can help you communicate with families so that you’re including friends with ASD in your plans in and outside of school. Playing together and sharing time can help build strong and lasting friendships.
  5. Think about and be respectful of differences. Our friends with ASD often experience something called “sensory challenges,” which means they might not like loud noises, bright lights, and/or the way some fabrics feel to the touch. As we get to know our friends with ASD we should keep this in mind, work hard to understand our friends likes and dislikes, and take those likes and dislikes into account when we’re talking and playing with them.
  6. Be real. The fact is, our friends with ASD are friends just like anyone else. We all have differences that make us unique. Always make sure that you treat friends with ASD like you would anyone else through the typical challenges and celebrations that come along with being friends.

For more information about ASD and friendships you can click the following link: How To Be A Fiend To Someone To Autism

Sharing our stories with open hearts and open minds,

Your MBE Diversity and Inclusion Team

 

Autism Awareness: Did You Know?

Did you know that Autism is officially called Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD?

So what is a “spectrum disorder?”

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the name of a group of developmental disorders which includes a wide range, or a “spectrum,” of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability.

In a nutshell, spectrum means that some people are mildly impaired by their symptoms, while others are severely disabled.

Really it’s just like anyone who has strengths and weaknesses.

You can find more information at: Statewide Autism Resource Training (START) Project

What will you do this week to extend your friendship with a friend affected by ASD?

Sharing our stories with open minds and open hearts,

Your MBE Diversity & Inclusion Team

Autism Awareness: Genuine Friendships

Be a Meadow Brook Hero! Safe. Respectful. Responsible.

The friendships we forge at Meadow Brook are so incredibly important.

When we think about being safe, respectful, and responsible, we often think about how we interact with one another and who we are as a community of thinkers, learners, and doers.

Among our many sources of great pride is our wonderful visually structured programing, through which we serve friends of all ages, from pre-school to fifth grade, who have unique communication needs.

Not all friends in our visually structured programs are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), however, I found the following article to be good guide to thinking about how we can form genuine friendships with one other, regardless of where we are in the development of our communication skills.

How To Be Friends With A Child Who Has Autism

The article give simple and practical strategies like:

  • including all friends in events like birthday parties
  • talking to our neurotypical kids about differences in communication and the importance of patience
  • thinking through unique needs and making accommodations when we learn and play together
  • looking for areas of interest
  • using and responding to humor
  • playing games that are predictable
  • engaging in activities that each friend is good at and enjoys
  • getting to know and seeking to understand all of our friends

Students, teachers, and parents in the Meadow Brook are compassionate and kind. I am extremely proud of the way we get along and care for one another.

I am also very proud of the fact that we are set on a foundation of growth and always working to make our school an even better place to learn and grow with each passing day!

Please touch base any time with thoughts, ideas or questions. Your input is always welcome and very much appreciated!

Thank you for your patience and your partnership…in it together for the kids!

With gratitude,

 

Seth

 

Seth E. Berg

Principal

Meadow Brook Elementary

Call: (248) 726 -4101

Click: sberg@rochester.k12.mi.us

My Reflective Journey: Berg’s Eye View

Autism Awareness: Looking Inside & Love

Safe. Respectful. Responsible.

Greetings, Meadow Brook Partners!

One of the greatest sources of pride for all Meadow Brook Heroes that we are a diverse learning community, sharing our journey together with compassion, kindness, and love!

We live and learn with a growth mindset, which means with hard work, dedication, and open minds and hearts we know we can alway get better in any area of focus.

Here’s the thoughtful & creative John Spencer sharing his thinking on Carol Dweck’s work around Growth Mindset if you’re interested:

At Meadow Brook, one of things we are constantly seeking to grow is our understanding and apperception for one another.

This week I woful ask you to think about autism.

Did you know that some of our friends are not yet able to communicate in ways that most others their age are?  Not yet.

This communication challenge can lead to unique frustrations and even communication that can seem out of the ordinary and even confusing at times.

As we think about autism and communication this week, let’s work with one another and with our incredible students to strive for growth in our already compassionate school community.

Let’s remember that the best way to communication is on a foundation of love.  After all, our shared love, understanding, and a dedication to kindness makes this world a better place for all of us with each passing day.

How about these Meadow Brook Heroes who spend their weekend making a kindness poster for all to learn from and enjoy:

Finally, here’s David Flood – a “Youth Inspirational Speaker” talking about the incredible impact of looking inside & love:

Thank you to Mrs. Nazione for bringing this video to our attention.  It’s one that you will be glad you watched.

I’m certainly better off for it!

Thank you for your patience and your partnership…in it tougher for the kids!

 

Seth

 

Seth E. Berg

Principal

Meadow Brook Elementary

Call: (248) 726 -4101

Click: sberg@rochester.k12.mi.us

My Reflective Journey: Berg’s Eye View