By Dr. Sarah Levin Allen
Earlier this month, Amy Mackin wrote an article for The Atlantic magazine about her experience as the mother of a child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder entitled How My Autistic Son Got Lost in the Public School System. She highlighted some of the most important challenges facing special education, and the critical role of parents. Public school systems are charged with educating students with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. They are experts in education, but they must rely on external experts for specific clinical and medical input. “Outside” clinicians and medical professionals often have a limited understanding of schools and classrooms, and therefore can only be so helpful. I have watched clinicians argue over a correct diagnosis while weeks, months, and years go by, and all that time, schools must continue to educate students. Public schools can only do so much. That is one reason why many parents have turned to homeschooling —which may not be an option for some parents—or private placement. Read More
“The Y.A.L.E. School has been a blessing for my son. Finally, he is in a place where he is understood and can thrive and be successful being himself. The teachers are patient and knowledgeable and my son has flourished... If it were up to him he would be going to school seven days a week!" — Sharon C.
Related Pages
Quick Links
Y.A.L.E. School News & Events
Archive of all articles tagged: Asperger’s
Opinion: Finding The Right Place For Students “Lost” In The Education System
Y.A.L.E. School “On Cue” Speaker Dr. Mieke Goossens Addresses ASPEN Chapter
Recently, Dr. Mieke Goossens, School Psychologist at the Y.A.L.E School Medford and Mansfield Township campuses spoke to parents and professionals involved with the Burlington County ASPEN group about the educational process of transitioning students from self contained to mainstream settings.
She highlighted the hidden curriculum within mainstreamed settings and the necessity of teaching social and executive skills to be successful in the transition process. Read More
Having A Frank Discussion: Dr. Isabelle Hénault Talks To Students About Sexuality And Asperger’s
Introducing the topic of sexuality to a gym filled with high school teens and young adults might seem like a recipe for disaster. But on November 9th, Y.A.L.E. School students quickly stifled their giggles and listened attentively as Dr. Isabelle Hénault, an internationally respected educator, researcher and clinician specializing in Asperger’s and sexuality spoke to them. She is the author of Asperger’s Syndrome and Sexuality: From Adolescence Through Adulthood. Read More
Dr. Mieke Goossens to Present at ASPEN Chapter Meeting
| November 28, 2012 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Dr. Mieke Goossens of the Y.A.L.E. School Medford and Mansfield Township campuses will give a presentation to the Burlington/Camden County chapter of ASPEN on November 28th at 7:00 PM. The presentation is entitled “Educational Opportunities for Students with Asperger’s In and Out of Mainstream Settings.” You can learn more at the ASPEN Burlington/Camden County webpage.
Learning by Doing at Y.A.L.E. School Mansfield Township
Project-based instruction has always been appealing to students with Asperger’s Syndrome, because it brings multiple modalities to instruction, and makes learning come to life.
At Y.A.L.E. School’s Mansfield Township campus, middle school students get the chance to design a hypothetical business, and in so doing, reach across the curriculum as they tie their ideas together.
This year, student entrepreneurs are making plans for the Yo-Yogurt Shop, American Body Guards and Gymster Fitness. Read More
Register Now For Free Lecture With Dr. Isabelle Hénault
Online registration is now open for Approaching Intimacy: The Developmental Challenges of Sexuality and Asperger’s with Dr. Isabelle Hénault, author of Asperger’s Syndrome and Sexuality: From Adolescence through Adulthood on November 8th and 9th.
This free two-part lecture for educators, health professionals, and parents of teens and young adults with Asperger’s will focus on managing emotions, developmental stages, friendship, dating and intimacy, and problem behavior strategies. The lecture is open to the public. Educators who register as professionals may receive 4 CEU credits.
The Y.A.L.E. School at the ASPEN NJ Fall Conference
| November 2, 2012 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 4:30 pm |
Representatives from the Y.A.L.E. School will be on hand in the exhibit hall at the annual ASPEN NJ Fall Conference in Iselin NJ. More information is available at www.aspennj.org.
The Y.A.L.E. School Presents Dr. Isabelle Hénault
| November 8, 2012 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
| November 9, 2012 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Approaching Intimacy: The Developmental Challenges of Sexuality and Asperger’s.
A two-part series for parents of teens and young adults with ASD.
The Y.A.L.E. School Presents: Dr. Isabelle Hénault, author of Asperger’s Syndrome and Sexuality: From Adolescence through Adulthood on November 8th and 9th, 2012 at the Y.A.L.E. School Cherry Hill campus in Cherry Hill NJ (Google Maps).
This free two-part lecture for educators, health professionals, and parents of teens and young adults with Asperger’s will focus on managing emotions, developmental stages, friendship, dating and intimacy, and problem behavior strategies. The lecture is open to the public. Educators who register as professionals may receive 4 CEU credits.
Dr. Hénault worked for over two years at Dr. Tony Attwood’s clinic in Australia. She lectures internationally and is both a researcher and clinician in the field. Dr. Hénault will also give a daytime presentation at the Cherry Hill campus tailored for teen/young-adult Y.A.L.E. School students only which is not open to the public.
OPINION: Autism, Asperger’s and Bullying
By Karen Huber
At The Y.A.L.E School, intake interviews often begin by asking students and parents why they are leaving their public school. Quite often, the answer is a sad and sometimes horrific story of bullying and social isolation in mainstream classes.
There is evidence to support this: a new study in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine shows that 46 percent of kids with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are bullied. Sadly, this comes as no surprise to those of us who parent, teach and counsel these unique, wonderful kids. Read More
John Elder Robison, Jack Robison, Alex Plank and Kirsten Lindsmith Panel Discussion On Relationships and Dating
VIDEO: Recently The Y.A.L.E. School was honored to welcome back John Elder Robison for another special guest appearance at the Cherry Hill campus. This time he brought along his son Jack Robison, Jack’s girlfriend Kirsten Lindsmith and their friend Alex Plank, founder of WrongPlanet.net and Autism Talk TV. Together, the four autism advocates conducted a panel discussion for our high school students about friendships, relationships and dating for people on the autism spectrum. All of the panelists are on the autism spectrum themselves, so their unique perspective on these issues was valuable for our teen and young adult students. Continue on to watch the video »
All content is ©1987-2013 The Y.A.L.E. School Site Help