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Autism and Classroom Strategies
Many children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have difficulties at school and in the classroom. They may require the curriculum to be adapted in some way so that they can understand and achieve. For many, it is important to have a trained teacher aid to guide them, as well as specialist input such as speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy. The other students also need to have an understanding and awareness that the student with autism might behave differently and have different needs.
Before we design a program, implement an Individual Education, or Learning Plan (IEP / ILP), and put strategies into place, we have to have an in-depth knowledge of the student.
Sensory Sensitivity
We have to have an awareness of the child’s sensory needs and sensitivities. For instance, if the child has a sensitivity to light, we have to look at their placement in the classroom and also at things like curtains and blinds. Special glasses may also be appropriate for light sensitivity. If the child has a sensitivity to noise, the other students have to have an awareness of their own noise levels. The child with ASD may not be able to take part in lessons such as music, if they have noise sensitivity. A sensitivity to touch may mean that certain art subjects are not appropriate.
Understanding
We must have an awareness of the child’s level of understanding. Some children on the autism spectrum will not be able to follow classroom instructions at all and will need constant one-to-one guidance, preferably from a trained teacher aid. It is important not to assume the child understands what is going on if they do not ask for help. To help with understanding and following a timetable a child with autism may need written instructions or visual aids. Verbal instructions should be kept short and simple (possibly using the minimal speech approach). The child should be given time to process verbal information, and visual cues should be used to enhance the message.
Visual Aids
Visual aids and supports can be used in many ways to facilitate children with autism to learn and understand in the classroom. Single visual pictures can be used as tools to help understanding and visual timetables can be used to help children follow a daily routine. A visual breakdown of an activity can facilitate a child to follow a sequence of activities to complete a task (see our section on visual strategies). A token system with rewards can be used to encourage motivation and attention. A visual clock (see below) can be use to help with attending to, and completing a task.
Adaptation of materials
Some materials will need to be adapted to help learning. Certain tasks may need visual guidelines. Some children with autism will learn more effectively using “hands-on” tools, for instance using play-dough to shape letters, or sand to draw the shape of letters with their fingers.
Social stories
Social stories are a great way to teach and communicate with children with ASD. Social stories are easily produced, focus on real life situations and can be used repeatedly, whenever they are required. The stories are based on a written story form, but can contain pictures to help with understanding. They offer the individual information on what is going to happen, information on a particular social situation, and focus on who is performing certain actions and why they are performing those actions. Stories can provide place and time related information about when and where things might happen. The story can focus on particular areas of need such as social skills or communication, and can also provide the individual with socially appropriate responses (see the section on social stories).
Imaginative Writing
For many children with ASD it is difficult to write from imagination. One way to overcome this is to act out a scene or scenario prior to writing it down. The child then has a “blueprint” to work from.
Adapting the Curriculum
Trying to rigidly follow the curriculum is not going to work if the student with autism lacks communication skills, social skills, attention skills and has difficulties with learning. For some individuals, time would be much better spent learning some functional skills and trying to adapt subjects so that they incorporate aspects of communication and social skills learning. This can be achieved with small group work and involving class mates. Functional skills refer to skills that the child is going to need every day, skills that are important and useful, and skills that can be generalized to help with other aspects of their life. For instance, is it important that the child knows that the Normans invaded in 1066, or is it important that the child knows how to ask for help when he does not understand, or that he can tell you that he needs to go to the toilet rather than urinate in his pants.
Communication
If communication is an issue then a communication strategy and communication aids should be trialled. A speech and language pathologist/therapist can plan, implement and support this strategy and program. Using a total communication approach can greatly enhance communication and understanding. This approach encompasses as many communication modalities as possible (e.g. sign, visuals, speech etc) to try and give as many cues to the individual and the listener.
Other issues to remember
Teachers must also be aware of other issues around the student. Knowledge of motivators and agitators are useful when planning lessons for the child. If some lessons are more motivating than others, try and mix these up, with a motivating lesson following one that is not so motivating. You can then use the motivating lesson as a reward for completing the non-motivating one. Teachers should also be aware of diet and medication, not only for general health but because they may effect the child in various ways. The child may also display challenging and/or inappropriate behaviour so it is important to have a strategies and a behavioural plan in place. An Educational Psychologist can devise a suitable behaviour plan, and a speech and language pathologist/therapist can put visual strategies in place to help with understanding and communication breakdown, so that challenging behaviour is reduced.
Trips out of school or transitioning
Making trips outside school or transitioning to a new classroom can be stressful for many children on the autistic spectrum. To help the process, warn the child well in advance of a trip or change, schedule it in on their visual timetable and if needed, write a social story. Transitions to a new classroom can also be planned in a similar way, and the new teacher must have a good knowledge of the child prior to the move.
Individual Educational / Learning Plan (EIP / ILP)
As the above goals and strategies are developed, they must be included in the student’s Individual Education, or / Learning Plan (IEP / ILP), and updated as required. Goals should be SMART (Specific, Measureable, Achieveable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Based)
For more information about autism and other communication difficulties, and ideas and strategies to help communication, see our Resources, or for specific fact-sheets with helpful hints about Autism go to the Autism Downloads section.
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