2.     I created a job for Max to take care of the class pet, Bernard The Bearded Dragon, during vacations and weekends. After I discussed it with his parents, I offered him the position of 'Classroom Pet Caretaker'. This gives us more communication opportunities. He freely shares his weekend and vacations with me more openly. At the beginning of the school year, getting anything besides insect facts out of Max was difficult. This makes our communication more personal. This has made it possible for me to attend a recreational basketball game of his.

3.     I make it a point to ensure Max is comfortable in my classroom. I ask him if all is going well with other students, to make sure there are no issues with bullying. I also regularly inquire if there is anything I can change to benefit his learning, such as teaching activities. Open communication is an effective avenue to reach students, in my opinion. 

2.     Signals have been created for Max and his peers so they can visually signal to him that they would like to change the topic of conversation. We use the American Sign Language (ASL) sign for change. This makes Max's peers feel like they are heard and have the ability to change conversation topic without Max having an episode.

3.     As a requirement of the school, students are required to be involved in at least one school club. Max has been talking about starting a Zoology Club. To create a club, he needs have fifteen student signatures and one staff sponsor. This will allow him to express his interest focus while interacting with other students. I feel that the club will build his communication skills. He will have to learn how to compromise with others and hear their viewpoints. Max's peers will be able to see Max in a new light, a very intelligent peer that they can learn from and build a relationship with through similar interests.

4.    In my classroom setting, I plan to create multiple ways to incorporate station rotations. This will create small group connections. The more intimate settings will allow students to connect with Max. They may be able to have conversations and learn things about each other that they wouldn't be able to in a large classroom setting. 

1.     Max and I have been working on eye contact while talking. This has been a difficult hurdle for him. I have set in place a reward system. For each 'Damselfly Eye Day', Max gets an insect sticker of his choosing. Eye contact will help with his communication skills later in life. 

2.     I make sure Max is given positive feedback in written form. He doesn't always process verbal feedback and does not like things like high-fives, because he despises physical touch of any kind. For instant positive feedback during class, I may drop reptile or 'good job' stickers at his desk for good responses or speaking in turn.

3.     Max has a tendency to have episodes or outbursts in class during times of change or when he is upset with something. To limit outbursts, I created a coin reward system. Each day Max goes without an outburst, he gets one nickel filled in with marker on his laminated coin sheet. Once he gets five nickels filled in, he receives a quarter to get Skittles from the candy machine in my class. They are his favorite candies and this has been a very beneficial system for him. 

4.     Max is extremely intelligent and understands most of the course load, due to Asperger's Syndrome being on the 'high functioning' side of the autism spectrum. He often gets bored due to completing assignments early; other days he becomes defiant and will not even start course work due to seeing the work as 'useless'. I have found that Max loves utilizing the laptops in the classroom. After completing assignments, he is able to get onto the laptops to create something for extra credit.