If the goal of education is to prepare students for success beyond the classroom, it’s crucial for teachers to understand the importance of teaching social, behavioral, and organizational skills alongside academic subjects.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that impacts a minority of students. It poses challenges for them in learning basic skills through conventional educational approaches. In this neurological condition, an individual experiences differences in brain development that can impact a student’s ability to focus, process information, and interact socially.However, with the right support and strategic approach during their early years, teachers can create a healthy educational environment for students with ASD. Keep reading this blog to learn more about a few teaching methods for autism spectrum disorder and ADHD, to help teachers adapt to the needs of an inclusive classroom.
The Importance of Inclusive Education
Inclusive education involves strategic curriculum planning that benefits both autistic students and their neurotypical peers. In this environment, students with ASD have more opportunities to develop social skills and feel a sense of belonging within the school community. The after effect of such teaching efforts can be seen in the following ways:
- Improvement in their ability to empathize with others
- Understand and accept other peers who are different than them
- They keep a positive mindset towards learning and growing as an individual
Building a Supportive Learning Environment
After completing the autism teacher training course, an educator assigned with the task of teaching students with autism must be aware of various factors regarding this condition. The list goes down as follows:
1. Minimizing Sensory Overload:
Sensory overload occurs when an autistic student is bombarded with excessive sensory stimuli, leading to discomfort and distress. Here are some strategies to create a more sensory-friendly classroom:
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Allow students to use noise-cancelling headphones to filter out distracting sounds
- Quiet Space: Designate a quiet area in the classroom where students can go to de-stimulate when overwhelmed.
2. Establishing Predictable Routines:
A fixed routine matters a lot for autistic students! Knowing what happens next helps them feel calm and ready to learn. Instead of surprises, routines give them a sense of control. This is how teachers can create a consistent structure:
- Visual Schedules: Use visual schedules with pictures or symbols to depict the day’s activities and transitions.
- Timers: Employ timers to signal upcoming transitions, helping students anticipate changes in routine.
- Consistency: Maintain consistent routines as much as possible, including daily schedules, classroom layout, and teacher expectations.
3. Promoting Social Interaction:
Making friends and interacting with classmates can be challenging for students with ASD. Here are some strategies to help them connect with their peers at a comfortable pace:
- Cooperative Learning Activities: Incorporate activities that require students to work together towards a common goal.
- Social Skills Groups: Consider forming small groups where students can practice social skills in a safe and structured environment.
Effective Teaching Strategies for Students with Autism
While creating a comfortable and focused learning environment is essential, teachers can instill the following strategies in their inclusive classroom. These strategies aim to assist students with ASD in achieving better academic results.
1. Clear and Concise Communication:
- One-Step Directions: Provide clear and concise instructions, focusing on one step at a time.
- Avoid Sarcasm: Refrain from using sarcasm or figurative language, which can be confusing for autistic students. As mentioned earlier, they have trouble picking up the common logic in a room, so any misleading statement could negatively affect their psychological state.
- Visual Aids: Usage of visual aids is commonly recommended while teaching students with autism. Use props like pictures, diagrams, and charts to support verbal instructions
2. Reinforce Positivity:
- Inducing Self Confidence: Focus on rewarding desired behaviors with praise, tokens, or stickers.
- Specificity: Be specific with your praise, highlighting the positive behavior you want to encourage. For example, say “Great job raising your hand before speaking!” instead of just “Good job!”
- Token Boards and Sticker Charts: Consider using token boards or sticker charts to visually track progress towards a reward.
3. The “First/Then” Technique:
While building on the previous strategy of influencing a sense of confidence within autistic learners, the “First/Then” technique emerges as a potent approach. Here’s a breakdown of how it operates:
- Pair Activities: Pair a less preferred activity (like completing a math worksheet) with a preferred activity (like recess) using the phrase “First, then.”
- Motivation: This clearly communicates the expectation and motivates the student to complete the least preferred task to access the preferred activity.
- Flexibility: Be flexible with the types of activities used in the “First/Then” strategy, adjust them to each student’s preferences.
Example – “First, let’s finish reading this story together, then we can go outside practice drawing.”
Discover Evidence-Based Strategies for Teaching Students with Autism at National Academy
Building a successful inclusive classroom for students with autism takes commitment, patience, and a love of learning new approaches. The tips provided in this blog can assist educators create a supportive environment for each student’s needs and nurture their academic and social growth.
Every student learns differently, and the most effective methods will vary. National Academy offers in-depth teacher training courses for teachers and parents seeking to expand their knowledge in supporting their students/ward. Our Autism Teaching Techniques explores autism spectrum disorder and equips educators with strategies to genuinely nurture autistic students in the classroom. We also offer a flexible adhd teacher training course that provides educators and parents with the knowledge to manage behavioral symptoms and create an engaging learning environment to adapt with their deviating attention span.
