Importance of the hidden curriculum

Factors involved in the value of teaching hidden curriculum include:

• Social acceptability
• Vulnerability
• Safety
• Anxiety
• Self-image

Understanding the world around us is a key factor in our ability to manage the world around us. Imagine what life would be like if you never knew what would happen next, or why people are doing or saying the things they are. Living your life in this way can cause severe anxiety, and can also affect mood, behavior and the ability to function.

A person’s ability to successfully manage a variety of situations often determines how socially acceptable he is perceived to be by others. But there is more at stake than simply opening social doors. Some children enjoy watching others in uncomfortable circumstances and revel in others’ mistakes. Some children will "set up" students with ASD because they quickly realize that they are "unable to figure things out." This is an issue that schools need to take very seriously.

Adults on the spectrum are equally susceptible to being taken advantage of because they may not be able to interpret the hidden curriculum involving false investments or giving their ATM card to someone asking to borrow money. They can easily put themselves in harm’s way if they misinterpret the curriculum in certain circumstances. For instance, think of what could happen to somebody who is unable to recognize a drug deal on the street?

The anxiety level of individuals with ASD is known to be a factor in disruptive or inappropriate behaviors. The anxiety level can remain at very high levels as the individual continues to be "on alert" in trying to cope with all the events in her day. If the anxiety level can be brought down by making some expectations clearer and some events more predictable, and therefore less stressful, the resulting inappropriate or troublesome behaviors should diminish. The classroom experience would then be enhanced for everyone, and the individual’s ability to focus on the work itself would likely improve.

The ability to self-manage can greatly enhance a person’s self-image. Because positive self-esteem is built through successful experiences, and individuals on the spectrum have far fewer successful experiences than most, adults with ASD have higher levels of depression and suicide than the general population (LaVoie, cited in Bieber, 1994). Their ability to be independent as adults is very dependent upon how they perceive the world around them, understand the expectations of others, and formulate plans of action.

Therefore, it is, imperative that a child’s teachers and parents provide direct instruction about the hidden curriculum during the school day and outside of school as well as opportunities for practice. The hidden curriculum should be considered as important as the math, science or any other school curriculum that we choose to teach.

Example

John belongs to Boy Scouts and he wants very much to fit in. But every time he goes to a meeting, he seems to get in trouble for what he thinks are the silliest things. Some of the kids tell him to do embarrassing things, and when he does, they laugh, and he gets in trouble. He doesn’t know why they do these things. He is now nervous about going to the meetings, because he is bound to make mistakes and get in trouble. It seemed like a good idea when mom suggested joining, but now he is not so sure. Everyone else seems to be able to stay out of trouble, but he has no idea how to do it. He thinks he must be very stupid not to be able to handle Boy Scouts, which everyone else seems to think is so much fun.

John’s mom realizes John needs help understanding the rules or his behavior will become a problem for him (and for her when she tries to get him to go to the meetings). He seems sad and nervous, and that always means trouble! John needs to learn the basic rules for Boy Scouts, and how to stay out of trouble. He needs to avoid the kids who tease him and complete the things he’s asked to do so he can feel good about participating and want to continue to be a Scout. She needs a plan. How is she going to get him to understand the hidden curriculum involved in "going to Boy Scouts"?