Teaching Children with Autism and Autism Spectrum
Traits
Sameness:
These children are easily overwhelmed by change, even the slightest change can set them off.
How to Help:
Classroom:
Social Interaction:
How to Help:
Restricted Range of Interest
May have an intense fixation on unusual things. They tend to restless "lecture" on areas of interest, ask repetitive questions about interests, and have trouble letting go of ideas. They often follow their own inclinations regardless of external demands, and sometimes refuse to learn about anything outside their limited field.
How to Help:
Sensory Issues and Poor Concentration:
How to Help:
Poor Motor Coordination:
May be physically clumsy and awkward. May seem accident prone and have a hard time playing games involving motor skills. They often have fine motor deficits that can cause penmanship problems that affect their ability to form letters or write clearly.
How to Help:
Language Difference:
How to Help:
Things to think about!
Many people with autism are visual thinkers. They think in pictures. To learn words in a "visual description", a verb should be acted out by the teacher. An airplane flying up and down is used for the words "up and down". It is then stored as a picture in the brain. Some children learn better with cards. Either way helps the child to learn. Nouns and Verbs can be taught in this manner.
Long verbal commands should be avoided. Our kids have problems remembering sequence. This is why visual schedules work so well. Step by step procedures can be photographed into their minds.
Our kids have problems remembering sequence. This is why visual schedules work so well. Step by step procedures can be photographed into their minds.
Areas of talent should always be encouraged. Developing talents could lead to future careers. If they are good at drawing, art, photography or computer programming, use these areas to build on future employment.
Fixations can be used to MOTIVATE school work. Whether they are fixated on trains, maps, animals or anything that is special to them, use it in lessons to gain achievement.
Concrete visual methods can be used to teach number concepts. A set of blocks which have a different length and a different color for each number for one through ten. Addition and subtraction can be taught using this. Fractions can be mastered with use of educational toy fruit cut into fractional pieces, this is what you already have in your classrooms. If not they can be found at educational stores.
Many children with autism have problems with handwriting. Most likely the worst in the classroom. Motor control and low muscle tone are to blame. Neat handwriting is very hard and can totally frustrate a child. To reduce the stress and help the child enjoy writing, let them type on the computer. This is much easier for them.
Learning to read can be taught with phonics. Phonics rules are enforced and then begin the process of sounding out words. If this does not seem to work then try picture cards with words on them. The two must appear on the card together and seen together. Saying the word and seeing the picture will help that word to be imprinted in the mind. For verbs, the picture is shown ,the word is spoken and then the action is demonstrated.
Many people with autism are visual thinkers. They think in pictures. To learn words in a "visual description" should be acted out by the teacher. An airplane flying up and down is used for the words "up and down". It is then stored as a picture in the brain. Some children learn better with cards. Either way helps the child to learn. Nouns and Verbs can be taught in this manner.
Long verbal commands should be avoided. Our kids have problems remembering sequence. This is why visual schedules work so well. Step by step procedures can be photographed into their minds.
Children with Autism need to be protected from sounds that hurt their ears. For example : school bells, PA systems and buzzers can be muffled with tissue paper and chairs that scrape the floor cam be muffled with tennis balls that have been sliced to fit on the chair leg. In many cases the child may be able to tolerate a sound if slightly muffled. A child may fear a certain room because he is afraid he might suddenly be subjected to the squealing from the microphone or hear feedback from the PA system which can bring on bad behavior. Covering of the ears is an indicator that a certain sound hurts their ears. Even other children can make sounds that can bother a child with autism. Coughing at night has woken my son up in a fit of rage. He will hit the person coughing and then crouch in the floor with his hands over his ears rocking back and forth.
Another area of concern is the Fire Alarm. This can be desensitized by having the child listen to a recorded fire alarm sound and gradually raising the volume. Allow the child to control the volume, when it becomes to annoying then it can be turned down. The next time start at that volume and work up to a louder sound.
Some children with extreme sound sensitivities will respond better if the teacher talks to them in a lower whisper or even allowing the child to sing the answer.
Nonverbal children can not process visual and auditory input at the same time. They should not be asked to look and listen at the same time. They will need to be given a VISUAL TASK or and AUDITORY TASK, not both!
Older nonverbal children often rely on touch. It is easier to feel. Letters can be taught by letting them feel plastic letters. The daily schedule can be taught by allowing them the chance to feel objects before a scheduled activity. For example: holding and touching a spoon before lunch or a small car before dismissal.
For nonverbal children it is recommended that flashcards have real objects and photos first. Most of our children do not understand line drawings.
Fluorescent lights can cause visual distractions due to the flickering. Place the child's desk near the window or try to avoid using these lights. The newer bulbs flicker less. You can also place a lamp with an incandescent bulb next to the child's desk. IRIEN colored glasses may also help.
Children with autism can also have hyperactivity. A child that fidgets all the time will often be calmer if given a padded weighted vest. The pressure from the weighted vest helps to calm the nervous system. Wear the vest for 20 minutes and then take off for a few minutes and if need be put back on again. To keep little hands busy I have found that fidget toys help also. They are small pocket toys that fit into a pocket. When needed they can be held onto to help that child regain security and confidence of a situation. These are toys that have texture, like a small ball with rubber bumps on it.
SENSORY INPUT is very important to our children. Deep pressure from a mat or swinging help our kids perform better, have improved eye contact and improved speech. This should be used as a game and NEVER forced.
The computer is another area that will need some adjustments. Children will learn easier if the computer keyboard is placed closer to the screen. The child will be able to see the keyboard and the screen simultaneously. A computer mouse can be difficult to use. Try a roller ball or tracking ball that has a separate button for clicking. If motor problems are an issue, moving a mouse and clicking is going to be difficult to master. Another area of concern is the mouse and the arrow on the screen. Tape a small arrow like the cursor onto the mouse so that a connection can be made between the two. ( The mouse causes the cursor to move). If the child has a visual processing problem and can see the flickering of the computer screen or TV monitor, then they will see better on a laptop or flat panel displays which have less flickering.
To promote communication and language learning, have the child ask for a plate (any object) . If they do ask for that object, but mean something else (do not correct them, yet) Give them the object that they are asking for. They may become upset and say "NO". This is showing that the incorrect word will result in the incorrect object! Then teach the correct word.
Speech is very important for children with autism. Consonant sounds could cause a problem if they have difficulty hearing hard consonants. Teach them to stretch out and enunciate hard consonant sounds.
Closed captions on the television can help children to read. Children with autism can read the captions or listen if they are younger. While visually matching the printed words and listening to the spoken speech they can pick up the correct way to read. Children's programs are advised!
Individuals with visual processing problems find it easier to read black print that is printed on colored paper. It does reduce the contrast. Avoid yellow, but try light tan, light blue, gray or light green paper. Irien colored glasses can also be used. www.irien.com
Teaching children rules such as do not run across the street, must be taught in many different areas. The same applies for paying for items bought in a store. Repeat, repeat, repeat is the answer to this problem. Children tend to generalize and think that it only applies to one situation. Use every moment as a teaching moment to reinforce what most children learn right away. Do not assume they will remember.
Toileting is another problem. Our children may do it perfect at home, but as I have noticed that different toilets will throw them off. Even a different bathroom in your own house can be an issue. When at school, at a park, friends house etc……. if the toilet is not the same , the tissue is in a different place, or it smells different you will face a set back. If accidents are happening at school then parents are the best resource. Look at both bathrooms and try to make them similar for a small amount of time until the stress is relieved.
Sequencing is difficult. Stop and think about the many steps that are involved in putting on your shoes, using a slide, and many others. Break everything down into steps. Cards are good to use or you can walk the child through each step yourself. It won't be long and they will be doing it on their own.
It is the best feeling in the world to know that you were able to help a child take another step to becoming a better person! Teaching is the hardest job, but the most rewarding when your students succeed because of what you did to help them!