A foreign language learner with autistic spectrum disorders

A Foreign Language Learner with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

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Introduction
n Ian has a statement of special educational needs. His educational psychologist has diagnosed a condition on the autism spectrum, possibly Asperger syndrome. He has performed poorly on cognitive aptitude tests. Ian lacks many of the social skills that are taken for granted in a mainstream classroom. He finds it difficult to "read" other people's behaviour and is slow to react. Nevertheless, he shows ability in MFL lessons and members of your school's Special Educational Needs department have recognised that French may serve to boost his self-esteem.

Problem 1
n Your Head of Department asks you to find out about the teaching of MFL to school learners with autistic spectrum disorders.
n Read Eleanor Caldwell's report A difficulty, oui, but a deficit, non about Vivienne Wire's work as a teacher of French to pupils with Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism, at Hillpark Secondary in Glasgow. Which strengths do her pupils bring to the subject and how do they benefit educationally from its study? Read next ASD/Asperger's advice about an individual learner of Spanish with Asperger's Syndrome. What factors have contributed to his enjoyment of, and progress in, the language? Then browse through the Department for Education and Skills and North West Regional Special Educational Needs Partnership publication Children with autism: strategies for accessing the curriculum: modern foreign languages. Can you identify strategies that would assist you in accommodating an autistic learner in your modern foreign language lessons?

Problem 2
n You decide to find out what learners on the autistic spectrum say about their experience of studying MFL.
n Read Hilary Hays' Asperger Memories, particularly her "Memories of High School", where she describes her success in foreign languages. In which aspects of MFL does she perform well and badly? Then read On living with autism by Mary-Minn Sirag, who is now a freelance journalist. How does she explain her aptitude for foreign languages?

Problem 3
n You come across the case of Christopher, a polyglot "savant" with autism.
n Savants are people with mental and/or physical disabilities who happen to be endowed with one outstanding talent. The award-winning movie Rain Man featured Dustin Hoffman as an autistic and mathematically gifted savant. One case of a linguistic savant has reached prominence. He is the subject of The Mind of a Savant: Language, Learning and Modularity, a book written by Neil Smith and Ianthi-Maria Tsimpli of University College, London and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne respectively and published by Blackwell in 1995. Dr Darold Treffert has written a summary of the book Glean what you can about the savant's assets and deficits. Read what Elizabeth Bates of the University of California at San Diego says about the book in On language savants and the structure of the mind. Consider whether the book, from Bates's perspective, truly enlightens the reader about the nature of Christopher's individual needs and abilities. Now establish what underlies Smith/Tsimpli's interest in Christopher and how Bates reviews their approach and findings. Then assess whether this case study contributes anything of significance to MFL/SEN theory and practice.

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