Title: Chess and autism
1Chess and autism
- Chess a bridge between two worlds
2Introduction
- Karel van Delft
- Psychologist
- Chess trainer
- Journalist
- www.kvdc.nl
- www.schaaktalent.nl
- www.chesstalent.com
- www.schaken-en-autisme.nl
- karel_at_kvdc.nl
3Talent development and autism
- Interested in development of talent.
- Talent is innate possibility to develop skills.
- Developed skill brings performance, succes and
fun. - Questions
- How to develop talent.
- Which are conditions to learn and train.
- Which are conditions to perform.
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6Conclusions
- Chess fits autistic children and adults.
- Chess stimulates the cognitive, social and
emotional development. - Chess brings a bridge between two worlds.
7Chess stimulates
- Cognitive development
- Thinking, reasoning
- Social development
- Contacts with others, social skills
- Emotional development
- Selfconfidence, pleasure
8Why chess fits autists
- Not physical
- Logical
- Safe
- Structured
- Quiet
9Needs of autistic kids
- Rest, structure, obvious rules
- Safe environment
- Predictable procedures
- Clear, concrete communiction
- Acceptation, empathy
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13Trix Meurs, mother of Tom
14- Trix Meurs presenta su cartel
- La idea mía es, que los niños con autismo
(normalmente) están enfocados. El contacto con
autistas es a menudo comparado con un buzón de
correo, puede entrar algo, si el buzón tiene al
menos una abertura, o puede salir algo, pero no
simultáneamente. Esta última es una condición
para reciprocidad, intimidad y sexualidad. Ser
uno mismo y al mismo tiempo poder trasladarse a
otra persona. Junto con ese enfoque, hay
oportunidades para aprender habilidades, lo que
he escrito aquí. Un enfoque básicamente puede ser
cualquier cosa, ajedrez, pintura, música,
horarios de los autobuses, el aeropuerto, juegos
de ordenador, juguetes que dan vueltas, el tambor
de la lavadora, etc. La idea es que usted y el
niño, entren en el mundo enfocado del niño con el
objetivo final de aprender, así el lenguaje y la
fascinación pueden descubrirse. Dentro de esos
ejercicios, el buzón de correo puede abrirse un
poco más o durante mas tiempo. El niño requiere
seguridad y confianza para conectar habilidades
al enfoco o el desarrollo cognitivo. Para
compartir el enfoque se necesitan dos, un
conjunto, así con tiempo se puede crear un
enlace, un intercambio entre dos líneas. Y,...
cada cambio es uno. Luego, en el campo de los
enfoques se puede ir practicando, me refiero por
ejemplo al ajedrez, o jugando en una habitación
con otras personas. Entrenarse en la casa del
entrenador. Y a continuación, expandir ... Decir
hola y adiós, cuando vienen o van. Ofrecerle una
bebida a su oponente después de una partida y
darle las gracias. El siguiente paso puede ser
una charla, o comer en la cafetería o
restaurante. Pasar la noche en otro sitio. A
veces en una casa compartida con los demás.
Aceptar tanto una victoria como una pérdida. Para
nosotros quizá habilidades simples, pero para los
niños con autismo, puede que cada vez sea un
importante obstáculo que deben superar. - Esto requiere coraje y superación de miedos, y
romper con algunas costumbres. Cada niño y joven
con autismo, por supuesto tiene un límite a lo
que se le puede introducir. "Un techo en la casa"
del conocimiento y el coraje. Un desafío de mucho
amor para padres y entrenadores - See the hand out for the text in which Trix Meurs
explains her poster. - As a mother of two autistic sons she knows
autists focus. - Via this focus you can get contact with them.
15Purpose of this lecture
- Understanding of aspects connected with chess and
autism. - Practical ideas of how to use chess for
stimulating the development and emancipation of
autistic youth.
16This is a story about
- Tom
- Maarten
- Jaap
- Caspar
- Laurens
- Jeroen
- And many more autistic children and adults.
17Understanding
- They have problems understanding the world around
them. - People around them have difficulties to
understand them. - Results misunderstandings, confusion, fear and
frustrations.
18What is autism?
- Autism is a congenital neurological disorder.
- Symptoms are limited social skills, a need for
structure, and problems with emotions, empathy,
self-image, language, imaginative powers and
locomotion. - Autists have trouble internalizing sensory
stimuli as a coherent whole. - Autists often have a limited field of interest,
in which they can specialize strongly. - To cope with the complexities of the outside
world, autists seek refuge in fixed habits and
patterns. - We speak of the Spectrum of Autism Disorders.
- Category classifications are classical autism,
MCDD (Multiple Complex Development Disorder), the
Aspergers Disorder, and PDD-NOS (Pervasive
Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified).
19Prevalence
- Approximately one in every 100 persons has an
autistic disorder. - Boys suffer from it six times more frequently
than girls.
20Environment
- The better their environment is geared to their
needs, the more autists will be able to develop
their qualities.
21How to recognize autism (1)
- Rigid behaviour, strange
- Difficult normal contact
- No eye contact
- Very sensible for sensory stimuli
- Often alone
- More difficulties playing with other kids,
compared with adults - Language often different
22How to recognize autism (2)
- Mood can change fast
- Dealing with changing circumstances is difficult
- Fear, panic attacs, depressions
- Sometimes difficulties with futilities
- Not predictable
- Pure, friendly
- Incomprehensable
23Limitations youth with autistic disorder (1)
- Social skils limited no or a few friendships
- Communication, language
- Non-verbal communication
- Imagination
- Need for structure
- Emotions, empathy, fears
- Self-image
24Limitations youth with autistic disorder (2)
- Locomotion
- Internalizing sensory stimuli
- Concentration
- Physical contact threatening
- Limited field of interest
- Changing situations
25But No autist is the same
- Different types of autism
- Level of disorder
- Nature nurture
- Innate character
- Intelligence
- Special talents
- Upbringing
- Social circumstances
26Movie With autism you can participate in a chess
training and tournament
Everything in the life of Laurens should be
planned, his mother says. Except for chess.
Then he likes to investigate.
27You can influence level of performance
- Create conditions
- Talent innate abilities can be improved.
- Circumstances good trainer, materials.
- Motivation grows by succes experiences.
- Physical condition improved by excercises.
- Mental condition created by respect, empathy.
28Strong aspects of autists (1)
- Own logic, system thinker
- Can concentrate well on one topic
- Can work concentrated a long time
- Understands well schematical representations
- Has a strong visual memory
- Works well by him self
29Strong aspects of autists (2)
- Is polite to others
- Is reliable (agreement is agreement)
- Works well via plans and procedures
- Can reproduce many facts
- Has eye for details
- Has much knowledge about certain issues
30First article about chess and autism in Magazine
Dutch chess federation KNSB
31Translation in English, f.e. India
32Translation in Spanish, f.e. Mexico
33More in Spanish, just google
34Spanish translation initiative by German Chessbase
35Jaap de Vries
36Jaap and his Nintendo
- Jaap has Asperger. Between rounds in a chess
tournament, Jaap plays games on his Nintendo.
This is precisely what does allow him to make
contact with other children, who come to him to
see what game he is playing. If you share his
interest, he is open for contact, his mother
Annemieke has noticed.
37Maarten Beekhuis at his chess club
38Quotes Maarten
- I think that I like chess because I am good at
it. - Im probably more self-involved than most
people, but I like to have social contacts. My
autism makes this difficult.
39- Tom Meurs with trainer IM Merijn van Delft. At
the moment - they play in the same team of Homburg Apeldoorn
in the - highest Dutch chess league.
40Quotes Tom
- About chess It is a strategic game. It offers
you a full scope to apply all your understanding
and your creativity. You really have to work
hard analyze, make plans, look deeper than your
opponent. - A kid with Aspergers who is enthusiastic can do
a lot more. Such kids should be allowed to go
ahead.
41Principles of emancipation
- Everyone has limitations and disabilities.
- We have to make the best of it.
- If possible together.
- Speak about limitations.
- Create conditions for discussion about it.
- No shame.
42Perspective
- Autism can not be cured
- You can learn to deal with it
- There is room for development of personal
qualities - Autists and people around them can learn to deal
with handicaps - Important recognize and accept limitations
- Talk with autist in a normal way
43Perspectives of better life quality via
- Behaviour therapy
- Psycho education
- Medical treatment
- Creating predictable circumstances
- And
- Join activities like chess to stimulate qualities
44Chess is about combining rules and patterns
45Qualifications of a trainer
- Know chess (limited level already enough)
- Empathy
- Didactical skills
- Understanding autism
- Social skills
46How to develop as a trainer
- Read, talk, get experiences
- Understanding, expertise, patience
- Consistent attitude and procedures
- Offer structure and make this clear
- For example via week schedule
- Personal contact
- Small groups
47Principles for a trainer
- Start with possibilities of autists, f.e.
intelligence, eye for detail, strong memory,
possibility to focus. - Give own responsibility where possible and help
where necessary.
48Be practical
- Be practical if there arise difficulties.
- For example make agreement with autistic kid and
group you give him a time out if he gets very
angry or panics. - Time out is not a penalty, it is a practical
solution. - Because if somebody has a headache he also needs
some rest. - Ask the kid why he shows this behaviour. Maybe
things can be done different next time.
49How to develop skills as a trainer or coach
- You can learn how to teach, it is a skill.
- You are not aware about a problem.
- You realize the problem.
- You deal with problem conscious.
- Skill becomes automatism.
50Tips of trainers (1)
- Small groups, individual attention
- Unambigious use of language
- Quiet environment
- Enough time for tasks, avoid stress
- Announce clearly what you will do
- Immediately interfere when problems arise
- Mention wrong behaviour and explain why
51Tips of trainers (2)
- Useless to get angry, tell what you expect
- Clear structure in lessons and programm
- Dont stop fast self study (Aspergers)
- Emotional support, explain situations
- Check always if the kid understands what you are
saying - Watch the situation by the eyes of a autist
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53How can you train and improve your chess
- Play games.
- Analyze games together and with a chess computer
programm like Fritz. - Tactics study via Step methods.
- Study commented games (with comments in
variations and words). - You need a board, pieces. For a game also a
clock. - On the internet is much gratis information.
- For a lot of information about how to train, see
also the book Developing Chess Talent
www.chesstalent.com
54How to train chess tactics
- Steps method (www.stappenmethode.nl)
- Structured method with introduction and exercises
on each topic (circa 100) - In books, but also on dvd
- Advantage direct feedback
- Advantage self study possible
- Cheap circa fifteen euro
55Step method very structured method
56With explication
57And excercises (with direct feedback)
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59Play and analyze with programm Fritz
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61How and where can you train
- Self study
- On a club
- Via the computer and internet
- With friends and family
- With a qualified trainer
62There are a lot of nice chess books.
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64You can play a game with a pupil, annotate it and
discuss it afterwards.
6515 year old pupil, gets individual lessons, says
I learned
- Persistance
- Taking into account different things at the same
time - Knowledge and technique of chess
- More pleasure in the game
- Proud because I win more often
- Dealing with loosing a game
- Concentration on a task
- Doing research
- Discussion with another about
- Verbalizing matters
- Self study
66Caspar Hermeling (Asperger) became a youth chess
coach himself, movie at www.schaken-en-autisme.nl
67Conclusions
- Chess fits autistic children and adults.
- Chess stimulates the cognitive, social and
emotional development. - Chess brings a bridge between two worlds.