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

• Verbal
• Analytical & Sequential
• Details Whole
• Visual
• Intuitive &

Simultaneous

• 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

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

• Numbers
• Reasoning & Logic
• Learning Strengths:

Problem-solving, math, patterns

• Word Meaning & Order
• Sound, Rhythms,

Inflections and Meter of Words

• Learning Strengths:

Reading, writing, memorizing dates, thinking in words

Intrapersonal Interpersonal

• Self Intelligence
• Aware of Feelings,

Goals, and Anxieties

• Learning Strengths:

Work alone, Reflecting, Setting goals

• Social Intelligence
• Sensitive to moods,

feelings, temperaments and motivations

• Learning Strengths:

Sharing, Comparing, Understanding People

Naturalist Others

• Nature Intelligence
• Values the outdoors,

animals, nature

• Learning Strengths:

Understanding and Working in Nature, Exploring, Making Distinctions

• Existential Intelligence: big

questions

✦ “Why are we here?”

“What is our role in the world?”

• Pedagogical Intelligence:

Teaching Intelligence

✦ The ability to convey

knowledge or skill to

• thers

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
• f 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

–Johnny Appleseed

“Type a quote here.”

Gregorc Learning Style Possible Multiple Intelligences What you may see in these learners How they learn Clues to successful regulation Useful strategies Concrete Sequential Visual/Spatial Mathematical/Logical Bodily/Kinesthetic

• Ordered
• Structured
• Practical
• Hands-on
• Detailed
• Exact
• Checklists
• Outlines
• Charts
• Computers
• Short Lectures
• Visual Input
• Open/close windows
• Oil and Water toys
• Vestibular Input
• Circles
• Crash and Bump
• Up/Down/Front/Back
• Visual Charts and Timelines
• Puzzles
• Coloring
• Time Duration Maps
• Hands-on Experience
• Demonstrations
• Board Games

Abstract Sequential Verbal/Linguistic Intrapersonal Musical/Rhythmic

• Logical
• Academic
• Structured
• Intellectual
• Reader
• Evaluative
• Reading
• Working Alone
• Lecture
• Essays
• Content
• Auditory Input
• Variations in Noise Level
• Variations in Rhythm
• Listening Programs
• Listening to Classical music
• Singing during task
• Work in quiet room
• Reading
• Allowing for time alone

Concrete Random Intrapersonal Existentialist

• Independent
• Creative
• Risk-Taker
• Inventive
• Curious
• Problem Solvers
• Intuitive
• Investigative
• Games and Simulation
• Creating Products
• Independent Study
• Open-Ended Work
• Options
• Few Restrictions
• Oral Motor Input
• Drink Through Straw
• Suck on Candy
• Slow deep breaths
• Chewies
• Problem Solving Activities
• Creating
• Experimenting
• Open-ended Activities
• Sequencing Activies

Abstract Random Bodily/Kinesthetic Music/Rhythmic Interpersonal

• Sensitive
• Emotional
• Personal
• Imaginative
• Colorful
• Discussion
• Deep Feelings
• Flexible
• Group Discussion
• Media & Music
• Personalized Work
• Role Play
• Arts
• Peer Group Work
• Tactile Input
• Massage
• Pet something soft
• Rub gently on skin/clothes
• Fidgets
• Vestibular Input
• Circles
• Crash and Bump
• Up/Down/Front/Back
• Use Parachutes
• Dancing Games
• Allow for Fidgets to remain regulated
• Use Music
• Social/Peer Groups
• Imaginative Play
• Interpersonal Interaction

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.