Autism Basics & Strategies...
Click here for a presentation on the basics about
autism spectrum disorders and strategies that can be used in the classroom!
autism spectrum disorders and strategies that can be used in the classroom!
Autism in Middle & High School...
The following information was taken from a document produced by the Organization for Autism Research in collaboration with The Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Click the link at the bottom of the page for the full document.
Challenges of Secondary Settings:
Secondary settings can be especially challenging for students with autism because of the complexity of the environment, both social and academically. Some things that these students may struggle with are:
Learning Styles:
Students with autism have unique learning styles. Teachers can support these students by incorporating their strengths and needs when planning for instruction. This thoughtful preparation will help students with autism maximize their potential and make valuable contributions to class discussions and activities.
Students with autism are visual learners - they need the opportunity to see information in order to interpret its meaning.
Students with autism are literal learners - they need expectations, instructions, and feedback to be explicitly stated.
Students with autism need consistency and predictability - they need well-structured, predictable classrooms and schedules.
Integrating Supports in the Classroom:
For most secondary school students, the classroom is a comfortable environment. This isn't necessarily the case for students with autism. As a teacher, there are a number of strategies you can implement to help students with autism be successful and avoid frustration. Remember to work in collaboration with special educators and instructional aides when integrating these supports for any student.
5 Essential Support Strategies:
Challenges of Secondary Settings:
Secondary settings can be especially challenging for students with autism because of the complexity of the environment, both social and academically. Some things that these students may struggle with are:
- Learning the different rules and expectations of each class, such as obtaining a hall pass or which materials to have ready when the bell rings
- Basic skills such as organizing papers, following directions, and understanding how the components of each assignment fit together
- "The Hidden Curriculum," which refers to the unwritten rules and codes of social interactions that most people just naturally know. It becomes increasingly important as students reach middle and high school. These rules are especially challenging for students with autism to grasp because they are not explicitly discussed; they may not know how to behave or engage with others in various social contexts, such as the school bus or cafeteria. This could include unwritten rules such as providing enough personal space when choosing a seat on the bus.
Learning Styles:
Students with autism have unique learning styles. Teachers can support these students by incorporating their strengths and needs when planning for instruction. This thoughtful preparation will help students with autism maximize their potential and make valuable contributions to class discussions and activities.
Students with autism are visual learners - they need the opportunity to see information in order to interpret its meaning.
Students with autism are literal learners - they need expectations, instructions, and feedback to be explicitly stated.
Students with autism need consistency and predictability - they need well-structured, predictable classrooms and schedules.
Integrating Supports in the Classroom:
For most secondary school students, the classroom is a comfortable environment. This isn't necessarily the case for students with autism. As a teacher, there are a number of strategies you can implement to help students with autism be successful and avoid frustration. Remember to work in collaboration with special educators and instructional aides when integrating these supports for any student.
5 Essential Support Strategies:
- Priming: Allows students to become familiar with the material, reduce stress, and ensure that key concepts are understood in greater depth.
- Academic Modifications: Can make the scholastic environment easier to navigate while still ensuring that a student learns necessary content.
- Home Base: Can help a student cope with a particularly challenging situation without distracting other classmates.
- Visual Supports: Help students stay focused on their schoolwork throughout the day and help streamline the learning process.
- Reinforcement: Increases the likelihood that a student will behave in the same way again. This is a good way to keep the focus on students' positive behaviors, with the added benefit of building rapport. Students with autism may not respond to typical reinforcers.