http://www.infomontessori.com/ •

Barbara · **Joined:** Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:44 pm **Posts:** 7

Hi all,

Anyone familiar with the benefits of Montessori on Autistic children ?

Thanks

Barbara

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Patricia · **Joined:** Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:32 pm **Posts:** 11

Hi Barbara,

I am really not an expert in the field but I remember reading that the strong emphasis on sensorial activities in the Montessori method helps the Autistic child as it helps him or her be a little be more in tune with its senses.

Patricia · **Joined:** Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:32 pm **Posts:** 11

I actually just found on Google this great interview of Michelle Lane , founder of The Lane Montessori School for Autism in Toronto, Ontario on Montessori for Everyone.

What I took away from the interview was that the environment and the material used was very similar to a normal Montessori classroom but Michelle does emphasize that the way to teach is indeed different as the ratio student to teacher is usually 1 to 1 at best 1 to 2 when a Montessori class usually has a 1 to 10 ratio.

Quote:

We work one-to-one, with prompting and reinforcement schedules based on each step of the task analysis. In addition we have set programs/activities that the child must do each day. This is different to a typical Montessori approach which allows the child to have choice and to be shown a presentation before using the activity.

The interview does emphasize how the material can help on the sensorial side of things but can go much further with practical life actions such as cleaning which also helps them with their social skills as they have to take turns.

Finally the overall work done on the language front seems pretty amazing

Quote:

Another child picks classified cards and we do a small group circle where the teacher will give the least amount of prompting for the children to imitate the words on the cards. If all of the children are non-verbal, we simply say the words while they sit in the group. This is to prepare them for integration where they will have to sit in small groups while encouraging language development.

I like how Michelle (her website here) reminds us that Maria Montessori did work originally with children with special needs, which I am sure had a big impact on how she developed the method.

Tania · **Joined:** Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:44 pm **Posts:** 7

I think it is indeed important to note that Montessori works but with a few adjustments. What's great with Michelle is that she is originally trained to work with Autistic children. Without proper additional training, a Montessori Teacher might have difficulties dealing with the constant movement and noise of these children.

The best information I have ever found on the subject was on the National Autistic Society which fully analyses how the Montessori method can be beneficial

Triad of Impairment
It reminds us of the "Triad of Impairment", restrictions to normal functioning in the Austistic child:
- Difficulties to communicate. Speech and body language impairment
- Difficulties to socialize. Rejection of normal interaction
- Difficulties to imagine. Ritualistic behavior preventing imaginative play.

The Montessori method does focus as mentioned before on various language lessons which might help. From a socialization perspective, even a limited class surrounding I am sure helps. Michelle lane in her interview does also mention that "twice a week we integrate our children with the children of the typical Montessori program on their walk days"

On the imagination front, Montessori is very much rooted on the real world. However what the article wants to emphasize here is the overall "rigidity and inflexibility of thought processes". This is where I think the method can help by introducing material which can help with ease any future thought process.

Sensorial
It was also mentioned before but the site does emphasize how much sensory environment can help autistic children:

Quote:

In general, special needs children respond very well to the multi-sensory, interactive Montessori teaching/learning approach; it is very difficult for a child with, say, dyspraxia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to maintain concentration on any activity without being continuously stimulated and practically involved with the learning process. The Montessori approach provides this continuous stimulation

The article does mention that Montessori teachers have to be careful with extra sensitive material such as the Montessori bells Sudden loud may indeed frighten them.

As mentioned before also by Patricia, Autistic children dislike change. Therefore it could be reassuring to let them watch first others work on some material before letting the autistic child work on it.

Practical Life
As mentioned before, autistic children have a hard time with their overall co-ordination.

Quote:

The practical life activities help all boys and girls to fine-hone the visual-motor skills necessary for carrying, lifting, folding and rolling. This also has the great advantage of developing children's early awareness of their body parts in space; a very necessary aid to preventing unhelpful rocking and flapping movements.

Language
The various language lessons give austistic children the opportunity to watch other children speak out, act out and use the right intonations to express what they understand

I have not found anything related to Montessori Mathematic activities and autism but it is pretty clear from the previous posts and the article quoted that Practical Life, Language and Sensorial activities can really help as long as you are ready to adjust the way you use the method to make it really work

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