SPOTLIGHT on Aspergers

Lights, Camera, Action-7

What makes Randi Rentz's approach to teaching children with Asperger's Syndrome different?

The Asperger's Class of Worrall Elementary School air their own version of a local newscast called, Action-7 in June at the end of every school year not only for the entire school, but for the community as well. This year-long project is designed to develop expressive language, written language, social and life skills, non-verbal body language, pragmatic skills and the hidden curriculum. All of these skills are worked on during the school year and used to increase the self-esteem of the students with this specific disability.

Data has been collected throughout the years on all students goals and objectives and the data speaks for itself!!!! All students involved in the broadcast have increased their goals in all areas; especially in the areas of pragmatic skills, non-verbal body language and the hidden curriculum.

Throughout the school year, the seven students learn to work video equipment, have the opportunity to meet people in the media, design backdrops and props, research, and write and edit their own pieces.

The students also take on many of the roles at a news station including anchors, reporters, camera people, editors, sportscasters, weather forecasters, traffic reporters -- even writing their own persuasive commercial about topics of high interest and/or destinations addressed in the school curriculum.

Randi is the producer of this project which has been well received in the community, with peers and parents, and real life broadcasters. All of her students learn to work on adult directives, work in a real life scenarios, and love seeing themselves excel on film.