Learning to Learn

A good education is an important part of a healthy childhood, and it’s a part that many of us can take for granted.

We are fortunate to live in Grand Rapids, where excellent schools and varied educational opportunities abound. But what do you do if your child doesn’t learn the same way other kids learn? What if your child is unable to access or benefit from traditional education because of how his or her brain works or due to his or her behavior?

Autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental disability that affects 1 in 68 children, interferes with learning, social development, and adaptive behavior. Some of the challenges associated with autism can make it difficult for children to be successful in a typical classroom. In addition to having difficulty learning the academic content, many children with autism spectrum disorders do not have the prerequisite skills to learn from traditional instruction. Without explicit teaching, children with autism may not easily pick up on skills such as sitting at a desk or table, working in a group, attending to a teacher, matching items, taking turns, waiting, imitating others, sharing materials, and following directions. Therefore, many children with autism benefit from early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI), a major goal of teaching them to learn as their peers learn and help them develop the repertoires that are critical to success in their natural environments. The goal of EIBI at Wedgwood’s Autism Center for Child Development is to prepare children to enter school and succeed with minimal supports.

To learn more, please visit: www.wedgwood.org/autismcenter or call 616-965-3492