Podcasts -WOW!

Spending the past weeks exploring podcasts and Youtube has truly been an eye-opening experience. I have come to see how valuable the internet can be as a way to exchange ideas and spread information. The students at my high school have often described the unique ways in which they use the internet. When they need information, advice, or assistance, the internet is usually the first place they go. Now I understand why and all I can say is WOW!

The voice analysis done on Speechmatch was incredible. By visually indicating the similarities and differences in speech patterns, an observer not only hears the differences in speech patterns but actually sees the different configurations that occur in the in varying patterns of speech. This is a valuable tool for all students struggling with speech and language problems. The opportunity to actually see the dissimilarities between your speech patterns and those of an errorless model provides new opportunities for addressing disparities in speech as well as providing a visual and audible model for normal speech. This double reinforcement can only increase the possibility for success.

Listening to the interview of a mother by her son, who has Asperger’s, gives us wonderful insight into their relationship. It provides a unique occasion for those of us who constantly look in on the Asperger’s world from the outside to hear what it sounds like on the inside. It affords an intimate view and an extraordinary opportunity to understand the inner dynamic of a family affected by this disorder. Educators often view parents as part the team (sometimes part of the problem). We see them in meetings, or while working with their children, or when discussing particular situations that must be addressed. Parents are the child’s advocate. Rarely, as educators, do we have an opportunity to listen to such an honest and heartwarming conversation between the parent and child. This interview provided a more natural insight into the rapport between a parent and her neurodiverse child. The question is asked, “Am I the son that you thought I would be when I was born?” The mother’s answer reflects what all mothers feel. Mothers may face different problems with their children but their response to these problems is universal. Mothers love, support, and want the best for their children and will do what it takes to get them what they need.

The video of the “angry professor” was humorous. Congressman Charlie Bass’s words were appalling. These recordings should be a caution to us all. Always remember someone could be watching… and recording!

The video of Professor Welkowitz on the men’s talk show Monadnock Men’s Resource Center provided another opportunity to educate the community about individuals with Asperger’s. Dr. Welkowitz quickly ran down the list of markers for this invisible disability. He discussed how individuals with Asperger’s are often social outsiders with restricted interests. He described how they are often rigid in their thinking and can have noticeable sensory sensitivities. Mostly male, Welkowitz explained how individuals with ASD are pragmatic thinkers whose contributions to society are uncontaminated by emotion or social constraint. Because of this variety of attributes, people with Asperger’s often have problems getting and holding jobs and establishing relationships. Dr. Welkowitz described Keene State’s efforts to assist these individuals in becoming valuable members of the community by helping them to achieve social success. The dating program, originated at Antioch New England, includes an “ask as you go” policy which recommends that each step of the way the question is asked, “Is it okay if I….(call you, ask you out, kiss you, etc.).” In a very brief period of time, this program presented the viewer with a well-rounded view of an individual with Asperger’s. In his closing remarks, Dr. Welkowitz offered this encouraging assessment, “The more you know them, the more you find ways to like them.” I have found this to be true and believe that through informational programs such as this, the community is educated on how to better understand and accept individuals who are differ from the norm.

On Asperger’s Conversations, Professor Welkowitz also offers valuable links to other informative Asperger’s sites. You can find information on some new offerings for people with Asperger’s on Kathleen Seidel’s site, neurodiversity.com/main.html. As a mother of a child with Asperger’s and a librarian, Kathleen examines public policy regarding AS and investigates recent biomedical and pharmaceutical claims regarding people on the spectrum and offers her insight. Andy Silvia and Marc’s Page have sites that offer first hand personal information about living on the spectrum. The support group sites wrong planet.net and Asperger Support Group Online offer a place for people with Asperger’s to communicate, ask questions, compare notes, and tender support. For their family members, Welkowitz lists sites that have forums for the exchange of valuable information by the families involved.

Having experienced the incredible variety of information that is available through podcasts, I can longer think of education in the same way. The internet offers an incredible amount of information, presented in such a variety of ways that educators can no longer fail to include it in their everyday teaching.