Nathan’s interests

Nathan has many interests that have provided a rich learning environment throughout school and beyond, as well as given him incredible motivation for independence and being more flexible.

Thomas the tank engine, maths, music, reading, maps and running are some of his most favourite interests. Nathan is always highly motivated to communicate and engage in interactions when his interests are included. They give him confidence, build his self esteem and most importantly give him the certainty he is needing in a very un certain world we live in.

He has developed many skills through the incorperation of his special interests in his daily school / home / community life and is now beginning his career journey through his interests.

Nathan has a gift with so many of his interests. He is highly motivated and is much more confident with communication when his interests are included.

Thomas the tank engine is one of thee most important interests to Nathan.

He sees himself as Thomas ( are really useful engine) and is literally understanding more about his environment, people, emotions, skills, flexibility and independence through Thomas and his characters.

Some examples below how special interests have helped Nathan

 Teaching emotions

 Curriculum subjects at school

 Flexibility

 Using visual independent work systems

 Communication

 Social interaction

 Employment ( delivery job map)

 Learning new skills

 Fun and interactions with family and friends

 Understanding of people and personalities https://www.throughdifferenteyes.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/57925/NarrativeAssessment_a-guide-for-teachers.pdf

Further readings about Special interests and strengths.

Narrative Assessment: A Guide for Teachers and The New Zealand Curriculum Exemplars for Learners with Special Education Needs will support teachers to identify, broaden, and deepen understandings of what students can do and the progress that they make. These resources will help teachers to focus on what their students’ learning looks like when opportunities are maximised and possible learning pathways within the New Zealand Curriculum are identified.

Support tips for others to use with Nathan

Key tips for Nathan to thrive and work through his emotions is to have positive, responsive people around him.

Nathan does prefer everything in his day to be routine like and very much same same, this provides certainty for him in a very uncertain world we live in. He is always working so hard to be more flexible but note when he is feeling dysregulated being flexible is almost impossible.

Nathan is a huge perfectionist and sometimes he is very hard on himself, this can make it challenging for him to recognise his emotions and how to work through them. The best way to support and teach is model your own emotions and how you work through them. The next 3 pages have key tips for helping Nathan through his emotions.