How to Teach Students With Autism to Communicate Feelings
Feelings are a difficult thing for children with autism to comprehend. They usually don’t understand what it means when someone’s facial expression changes. They also have problems learning how to express their own feelings. A child can easily become frustrated when they experience problems, and when they can’t communicate those feelings the frustration only grows. The best way to teach students with autism to communicate feelings is to use visual aids and take it one step at a time.
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Instructions
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Gather together a stack of magazines, stickers, scissors, index cards and glue to create your own flashcards. You can buy flashcards with emotions and feelings on them, but it’s better to find pictures the child can relate to. Look for images of his favorite characters and actors and then cut out each one and paste it onto the card. You can also use stickers of different characters.
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Run through the flashcards with the child asking him how he feels about the different pictures. Then slowly teach him what each flashcard means. You can write the correct emotion or feeling on the back and let him know what that emotion is.
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Ask the child for the appropriate card when he gets upset and make sure he gives you the right card. When he gets angry, tell him that he's angry and show him the right card. Do this for each card until he starts to understand. Reward him for getting the right card.
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Use the words “I feel” along with the card, as in “I feel…” and then show the angry card. Or if the child is happy, say “I feel…” and show the happy card. Get him to begin saying the same phrase and showing you the card. He doesn't have to say the emotion yet, but he should show you the emotion card and say the phrase.
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Teach the child to say the emotion with the phrase. After some time, he should be able to show you the angry card along with saying, “I feel angry." Slowly begin to weed out the flashcards as he learns to express his emotion or feelings without the flashcard. You can work on multiple emotions at one time or concentrate on the emotion he feels the most.
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Tips & Warnings
Starting with the happy card can sometimes be best, especially if the child has something in particular that makes them happy. A child who loves playing outside can quickly associate the happy card with anytime they’re outside.
Some children may take months to master one specific emotion. It’s important to take your time and keep using the cards to teach them. Eventually the child will learn, but it may take quite awhile.
