Why classical myth and autism?

Why classical myth and autism?

The idea for this project started to take shape at a meeting in 2008 with a special needs teacher, who mentioned that, in her experience and those of her colleagues, autistic children often enjoy classical myth. I began to wonder why this might be the case, and whether – as a classicist who researches, and loves, classical myth – there was anything I could contribute. I started this blog to report on my progress which was often sporadic until the launch of the Warsaw-based European Research Council-funded project Our Mythical Childhood (2016-22) to trace the role of classics in children’s culture.

My key contribution to the project is an exploration of classics in autistic children’s culture, above all by producing myth-themed activities for autistic children. This blog shares my progress, often along Herculean paths, including to a book of lessons for autistic children focusing on the Choice of Hercules between two very different paths in life. The image above, illustrating the homepage of this blog, is one of the drawings by Steve K. Simons, the book's illustrator, of a chimneypiece panel in a neoclassical villa at Roehampton in South West London. The lessons centre on this panel.

Friday, 12 April 2019

Looking back on what Hercules did in Nebraska - including multi-sensory possibilities

Although I wasn't able to get to Nebraska in person for CAMWS last week, thanks to Shannon DuBois, I was able to follow live-tweeting. The thread is below. I hope I've caught everything. I understand that quite a bit of colouring-in went on! If anyone present who reads this would like to send me (s.deacy@roehampton.ac.uk) a photo of their work, I'd love to see it. I've included a live-tweet about my fellow panellist Krishni's reference, in her paper, to the multi-sensory potential of my research. Since the conference, I've had a fruitful initial discussion about multi-sensory studies and autism with another panellist, John Coetzee from Stanford Medical School who spoke on 'putting dyslexia into context'. While I was at a conference in London - in person this time... - on Tuesday, I also briefly sounded out members of the Sensory Studies in Antiquity Network. So one outcome of the panel, an unexpected one, is the possibility of research into sensory aspects pertinent to my autism and myth project.

I'm sorry that the formatting isn't perfect - this is the best I've able to manage...
 
 
  Retweeted
 Apr 6
Come to this paper and panel!! I'm reading Susan's paper in her absence and I can assure y'all it is as great as it sounds -- "What Would Hercules Do? Turning Classical Myth into a Learning Opportunity for Autistic Children"

What would Hercules do? Susan's paper for different learners panel up later today at , Lincoln, Nebraska - also blog post here for World Awareness Week Day 6: …
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@ala_Camillae

will read the next paper, written by Susan Deacy (who couldn't be here today), called "What Would Hercules Do? Turning Classical Myth into a Learning Opportunity for Autistic Children." Susan Deacy provided multi-sensory aids (coloring sheets + colored pencils!!!!)
11:47 AM - 6 Apr 2019
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Roehampton ClassicsTweet text
 
 

    1. New conversation
    1.  Apr 6
      The handout is front and back, which audience is encouraged to fill in while listening to the talk. ( is very excited, and I am sad that I can't join in.) Editorial aside by : Check out Susan's blog! SD: Where Classical myth sits in autistic children's culture
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    2.  Apr 6
      SD: Why did Susan opt for Hercules? The potential for Hercules to speak to the difficulties autistic children face, considering the many difficult labors he has to complete. On the image SD selected: 1st side, Hercules flanked by two women, one carrying a sword while the other
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    3.  Apr 6
      sits down and looks up at him; the environment includes a rock behind Hercules, a stream, fruit, and trees. SD: The figures have genitals and breasts covered, since some autistic people may have trouble looking at pictures of nudity. The exercise is meant to help autistic
      2 replies1 like




    4.  Apr 6
      students work through potentially confusing gestures, facial expressions, interactions, etc. SD: So why Hercules? He's at home in the wild and needs to learn the rules of each new situation. In the wild he overcomes obstacles; in "civilization," something goes terribly wrong
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    5.  Apr 6
      SD recounts a story of someone who thought Hercules sounded like a person with autism. SD has tried out this activity w 7-11yos - as well as UGs, as a way to get them to think about new ways of interpreting the myth and thinking outside their own experiences.
      1 reply4 likes




    6.  Apr 6
      Audience is welcome to send pictures of the coloring sheet :) [Pic to be added later]


      exam, instructor gathered essay prompts through class discussion. Krishni follows up by pointing out Susan Deacy's excellent example of a multi-sensory activity, which helps with memory. Audience member mentions recording answers for class to put online as an add'l resource
      12:46 PM - 6 Apr 2019
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