Teaching Strategies
“The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, amended 1997, stresses the importance of the child with disabilities having access to the general education curriculum. For preschool students with autism spectrum disorders, this suggests participation in programs and activities in which other preschool children participate”.
Classroom Management
Students with autism are often bothered by loud noises and bright lights as this might stress the students thus initiating an undesired behavior.
It is essential for a teacher to have well structured and organized lectures as well as to use visuals in their presentations.
Another important point is that students with Autism may need some time to cool down, take a walk or simply take a break from in-class work. This might include creating a space in the classroom, where children could take a break and do something else.
It is essential for a teacher to have well structured and organized lectures as well as to use visuals in their presentations.
Another important point is that students with Autism may need some time to cool down, take a walk or simply take a break from in-class work. This might include creating a space in the classroom, where children could take a break and do something else.
Daily Routine
Children with autism are hypersensitive to change and feel stressed by it. This is why it would be a good idea for a teacher to establish a routine in the classroom, like for example, students can do a specific type of assignment at a specific hour everyday and activities at another, or at least avoid many drastic changes in her/his teaching methods. Autistic students operate best when they have personalized daily written schedules, since it allows them to follow their progress more closely.
Providing Feedback
Providing consistent and detailed feedback is very beneficial since it lets students know what progress they have made, as well as what their weaknesses and strengths are along with what exactly is expected of them and how they can proceed in order to meet deadlines.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Teachers may also use the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) technique, in which, they observe and modify their students’ behavior and address disruption by manipulating the class environment. The theory characterizes the components of any behavior by an ABC model: the antecedent to the behavior (A; stimulus/event that occurs prior to the behavior), the behavior itself (B; child's action in response to a stimulus), and the consequence (C; outcome or result of the behavior). After having identified the cause of the disruptive behavior, the teachers could then address it by using various strategies and activities in order to diminish it. They could seek the collaboration of the child’s parents and ask them to apply the same strategies at home, so the child has consistency between his school and home environments. If the inappropriate behavior is addressed in this manner, the likelihood of it occurring again is very slim.
Positive Encouragement
The teacher should take note to positively encourage and motivate the students every time they have made a progress or succeeded, but they should also state and make it clear when the child has mistaken.
More class-wide activities
It is crucial for a teacher to try to intervene with class-wide activities, instead of constantly using individualized practices when teaching autistic students. In general, many of the activities could be used for all students in the classroom and not only for exceptional students. By doing so, the teacher avoids putting students with learning differences on the spot and gives them anonymity, as the rest of the students will not know who the activity is actually for.
Patience
It is essential for a teacher to modify their instructional strategies, in order to better meet the needs of each one of his students. Furthermore, teachers should be very patient, since oftentimes students, especially students with exceptionalities may not advance as fast as expected. In the end, there are no difficult students, there are only difficult teachers who are not willing to try hard enough.