Grunnan,+Anika-Autism



//**About me: **// My name is Anika Grunnan and I grew up in Marin County, California with my very Norwegian family. I am a bit indecisive about my life. I change my mind constantly about the direction I want to go, however teaching has been in the plan for quite some time. I attended an independent study high school which allowed me to have a nearly full time job. I began working at a pre-school my Junior year of high school and spent two years working as an assistant teacher as well as a few summers after going to college. It was at the pre-school when I decided I wanted to go into teaching.

//**My education & career goals: **// Until I knew that I wanted to be a teacher, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to college. Everyone in my family went to a college of some sort but I was never pressured to go. Once I knew I wanted to go into teaching, college as well as graduate school was a given. Now that I have been at SOU for nearly three years, I am so happy with my decision. I haven’t decided if I will be getting my MAT here at Southern or somewhere farther north. Time will only tell.

My family gives me the most joy. In my family I am including my closest of friends because they really are family to me. I also really enjoy sewing. I learned the basics of sewing at a young age and through the years I have become quite good at it J It’s very rewarding to make your own clothes, especially when people complement them without knowing I made it.
 * //What brings me joy: //**

//**My greatest fear about being a teacher: **// My greatest fear about being a teacher is failing to get through to my students. I want to be a supportive, inspirational, productive and exciting teacher, but I am so nervous about not being ready to take on the challenges of teaching.

Math and Science have always been very difficult to me. I was always told “it just a matter of memorization,” but when the concepts behind it don’t make sense to me, how was I supposed to memorize it? I have learned in my education classes that there is so much more than memorization to it and if you know to concept behind the formula, or process, it will make far more sense.
 * //An experience when something was extremely difficult to learn: //**

I always felt like I was missing part of my brain when everyone in my classes so easily understood math and science. I was so easily frustrated and much of the time I would quickly give up. Thankfully in college I had a professor who worked with me through my struggles and gave math a new meaning to me. I really enjoy math and science when I understand what is going on and they are two very interesting subjects, but I believe it will always be my biggest struggle.
 * //How this experience made me feel: //**

I think it will help me see that pace is and conceptual understanding is huge when trying to reach my students. Everyone works at a different pace, with different learning methods. I have had so many different teachers who had vastly different teaching methods; some successful, some not so successful. Being exposed to all of these methods, I hope I will be able to accommodate each and every student’s learning needs.
 * //How this experience may help me connect to students with learning differences: //**

I hope to gain a better understanding and knowledge of children with special needs and how to properly instruct and include all students in daily instruction. I am excited for this class and I have already been inspired to consider a job in Special Education.
 * //<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">What I want to gain from this course: //**

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">* <span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">*

**//<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Topic Introduction-Autism: //**
<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">I chose to research about Autism because a close family friend has a son who was recently diagnosed with the condition. This past summer we spent a lot of time together and I was able to play with the child enough to understand his strengths as well as recognize where he was struggling. Autism is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain and the exact causes of these abnormalities is still unclear, although it is most likely due to a number of factors. Autism is still a very active area of research and I hope to further my knowledge on the condition to better myself as a personal as well as provide my support to others in need.

//**<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 150%;">Top 5 things I learned about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): **// <span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 150%;"> 1. <span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 20px;">Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that usually appears before the age of 3. It impacts the normal development of the brain with social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function. Individuals with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities <span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 150%;"> 2. Co-morbid conditions often associated with autism include Fragile X, allergies, asthma, epilepsy, bowel disease, gastrointestinal/digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, PANDAS, feeding disorders, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, OCD, sensory integration dysfunction, sleeping disorders, immune disorders, autoimmune disorders, and neuro-inflammation. <span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 150%;"> 3. Children with autism do progress – early intervention is key <span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> 4. Scientists aren't certain about what causes Autism, but it’s likely that both genetics and environment play a role. Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with the disorder as well as children’s vaccines. <span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 150%;"> 5. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. The signs usually develop gradually, but some autistic children first develop more normally and then regress. <span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 20px;"> ***Autism varies from person to person (no two people with autism are alike)

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 18px;">//National Autism Association.// (2012). Retrieved from []
 * //<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 20px;">Top Resource: //**

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 18px;"> The National Autism Association website provides you with detailed information about autism, the signs and symptoms, autism screening, facts, causes, research, prevention, family support, treatment, and ways to get involved. What stood out compared to the other resources was about autism and safety. I think it is extremely important to understand the risks and safety precautions regarding children with Autism, especially as a future teacher. Although all of my resources were packed with information this particular website covered just about every issue, question, fact and stat, as well as references for support programs and information. I highly recommend this website for anyone looking for high-quality information about Autism.

//**<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Eight Additional Resources: **//
<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">**1.** Autism Speaks. Retrieved from []

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Autism Speaks is a website dedicated to the research, understanding, and support for Autism. It provides the reader with daily news updates, a research section, what autism is, ways to give back, events, and there is even an area for family services and support. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">*5 out of 5 stars*

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">**2.** //U.S National Library of Medicine-PubMed Health//. (2010). Retrieved from []

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">This website provides many of the basic and detailed information dealing with Autism. It talks about the possible causes, symptoms, what to expect and when, different forms of Autism, treatment, testing, and support groups or resources for those in need of help or information. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">*4 stars out of 5*

**3.** //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Autism Fact Sheet //<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">. NINDS. (September 2009). Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">[]

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">I enjoyed that this website provided the steps of how a child with Autism is diagnosed. There are many additional resources that are also used for support to many families. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">*4 out of 5 stars*


 * 4. **<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Dowshen, Steven. //Kids Health-Autism//. (2009). Retrieved from [|http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/brain/autism.html#]

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">This is a wonderful site for children and adults. The information about Autism is presented in a very relatable and understandable way, especially for young children. There is step by step information regarding what a child with Autism goes through each day. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">*3.5 out of 5 stars*

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">**5.** //Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention//. ASD. (2011) Retrieved from []

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">The question and answer section of this site is beneficial because there are real people asking real questions in order to get real answers. Each page/section of the site provides many useful and helpful resources and they have updated the site recently; the information is current. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">*3.5 out of 5 stars*

**6.** //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Autism Society //<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">[]

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">As stated in the Autism Society’s mission statement they are working to improve the lives of all effected by Autism. It was refreshing to see that this site wanted to give information and support for all families, friends, and of course those on the spectrum. There are also many resources and information to help equip families with some of the basic tools they may need to provide the best outcomes for their loved ones on the Autism spectrum. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">*3 out of 5 stars*

**7.** //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Wikipedia-Autism. //<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">[]

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;"> Wikipedia is always a good place for information. There was a lot of good and useful information about Autism; however unlike the other resources I found the website did not use people first language. Although this is great for information and facts, it is not a site for information on support and family help. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">*3 out of 5 stars*

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">**8.** //Autism Research Institute//. (1967-2012). Retrieved from []

<span style="color: #550f55; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;"> This site was the only source I found that had information about the school years for a child with Autism. From school lunches and diets to educational plans and what to expect in school this site really digs deep to make anyone feel more comfortable with the information provided. This could be very useful for teachers. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">*4 out of 5 stars*