What I Learned Working With Children With Autism

Tips for Working with Children with Autism

Kate Miller-Wilson

Kate is a recognized proficient in autism. She is the mom of an autistic teen and has written, spoken, taken photographs, and been interviewed extensively about autism.

Autism Writer and Lensman

With one in 68 children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, it's mutual for teachers and other professionals to encounter these kids equally function of their daily activities. Working with children on the autism spectrum is rewarding, especially when you see progress and develop a close relationship with the child. However, kids on the spectrum can also exist challenging to work with; navigating these challenges is easier with some insight.

Learn How the Kid Learns Best

Many kids with autism are visual thinkers and learners and using pictures and other visual aids during teaching is helpful. Visual aids are especially effective when teaching number concepts, directional terms, and give-and-take recognition to kids who acquire this way. Still, not all children on the autism spectrum are visual learners, so it'south essential you determine the best learning way before you begin didactics in a certain manner. Take some fourth dimension to discover the child and experiment with unlike methods of sharing information.

Make a Quiet Identify

Bright lights, regular classroom or home sounds, and tactile sensations can be very distracting to a kid with sensory bug, which are common in ASD. Requite the child a serenity place to larn even if this doesn't look similar the tranquility place yous might imagine for a neurotypical kid. Experiment with a dark tent or fort in the corner of the classroom or in a closet, dissonance cancelling headphones or earplugs, and other sensory options. Find how the change in surroundings helps the kid learn.

Know Anxiety Might Not Look Like Anxiety

About 41 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders also have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. There are also many who accept not yet been diagnosed because the symptoms of anxiety are not consistent or recognizable in all situations. Be aware an anxious child may act out or become more rigid or withdrawn. The child may besides human activity anxious at home but not at school. Accept some time to talk to parents and caregivers about anxiety and exist aware this may bear upon child'south learning and behavior. If you suspect information technology may be an issue, refer the child or parents to a schoolhouse psychologist or the pediatrician.

Empathize Almost Generalizations

For some kids on the spectrum, behavior can be very state of affairs-dependant. For instance, a child may be afraid of every schoolhouse bus because he had a driver yell at him once. Alternatively, a kid may have trouble generalizing and may need to be specifically taught to do certain tasks in unlike environments. This simultaneous over- and under-generalization may be frustrating for teachers, just empathize it can exist function of the disorder. A simple mantra, such every bit "Ane time isn't every time" or "Apply a pencil every time you write" can help brand information technology easier.

Exercise What They Do

Getting a child with ASD to engage with you lot is not ever easy. Sometimes, it may seem like zippo yous practise interests them or gets their attention. This is when it can aid to detect the child and do what the child is doing, a common play therapy technique that applies to kids of all ages. If the child is spinning a fidget spinner, take turns with the spinner and advantage interaction past giving the kid a plow. Once y'all have the child engaged, you can begin working on therapy goals or lessons. When you sense engagement waning, become back to doing what the child is doing.

Try Movement During Learning

Although many children with and without autism are capable of learning while in a classroom environment, some kids on the spectrum make improve progress while moving. According the Temple Grandin, noted autism skillful, many kids brandish improve interaction and verbal skills when they are on a swing. Too try a trampoline, a rocking balance board, and other motor options.

Wait for the Answers

Some children with autism take challenges in auditory processing and communication. It may take a while for them to work out the meaning in a exact question. Or they may know the reply to a question or trouble, only it can have time to get it out. Later on you ask a question, wait a long time. Know the silence may be uncomfortable and the child may not seem engaged. However, y'all may exist surprised when the reply eventually comes.

Use Special Interests as a Reward

Many kids with autism have special interests or areas of intense focus. These can be very specific, and they may change from time to time as the child matures. Oftentimes, these offer a great avenue for interacting, but they tin can also present a reward arrangement. Prepare a chart to allow the child to earn a trinket or feel related to his or her special interest. You tin can utilise photos or graphics to help the chart be more motivating.

Don't Make It also Easy

Information technology may seem counterintuitive, given that many children on the spectrum struggle with learning challenges, but it's important to avert making things too easy. For instance, y'all may know from the child's behavior she wants a snack. Instead of merely giving her the snack and continuing with the lesson, identify the snack just out of achieve and show her how to gesture or ask for information technology. With college functioning children, y'all tin do this with a favorite volume or game and more complicated language. Reward the communication immediately.

Try "Manus Over Paw"

Fine motor skills, such as writing or tying shoes, can exist very hard for kids with autism. Instead of showing pictures or listing steps for specific skills, accept some fourth dimension to place your hand physically over the child's paw. Move his or her hand in such a fashion that she is the one doing the task even though you are guiding. This may accept several attempts, only it tin be a very effective technique for teaching this type of skill.

Know Eating Can Exist a Challenge

Sensory issues with certain textures and tastes, as well every bit differences in the way hunger might be perceived, can crusade kids on the spectrum to have issues eating a regular diet. This doesn't but affect the kid during mealtimes, withal. Hungry children have a harder time learning whether they have autism or are neurotypical. If the child seems more disengaged that normal, offering a snack you lot know he or she likes. The extra free energy from the snack may aid with learning.

Aim for 80 Percent Success on Goals

Information technology may be tempting to set up an important goal that a kid will demand to work very hard to achieve, such as using the restroom at schoolhouse every day or asking questions in conversation 100 percent of the time. However, children with ASD accept "off" days or times that are more challenging, and there may be situations where they will not succeed at the goal if success ways 100 per centum. It's essential you redefine success as lxxx percent. This is encouraging for both y'all and the child as it's doable on most developmentally appropriate goals.

Sharing Successful Tips With Others

Once you establish effective strategies for helping a child, share those ideas with others who play a role in the child's life. A cohesive strategy involving parents, teachers, and other caregivers is helpful and reassuring to the child and rewarding for those who work with him.