How to Deal With Autism in a Classroom

Not every student in a classroom can be taught in the same way. Some students have special needs that the teacher needs to address.There is a growing number of students who have autism. Autism is a brain disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, socialize and maintain normal relationships with other people. It is part of a group of disorders known as the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The effects of autism range from person to person. Some of the symptoms include communication difficulties, resisting change, or appearing detached or withdrawn in social situations. The intellectual abilities of someone with autism also range. Some people with autism can be highly intelligent, but might be awkward in social situations. Many students with autism are taught in a traditional classroom. Therefore, a teacher needs to know how to deal with a student in the classroom who has autism.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Visuals

1. Get to know the child's needs. Meet with the child's parents before the school year starts or early in the school year. Find out from the parents about the child's learning and behavior style. Learn some tips from the parents about how to interact with the child. Also, learn about the child's needs from the child's speech therapist, occupational therapist, school counselor or anyone else that works with the child. Develop relationships with the other people who work with the child and communicate regularly with them about the child's progress and needs.

2. Establish a routine. Children with autism are most successful in a routine and structured environment. Try to keep the same routine in your classroom. This type of environment will be comforting to a child with autism. Also, use transitions. This will help with keeping structure for children with autism who do not like change. The transitions will help a student with autism move from one subject to the next more smoothly.

3. Use visuals. Children with autism can learn better when you use visuals to support the things you are saying. It will help them to concentrate and keep them from withdrawing from the lesson. An example of a visual is using a globe when talking about a place in the world.

4. Reduce distractions. If the hallway is noisy, close the door. Get rid of toys or games you are not using. Store them in the closet. A child with autism may want to focus attention on the other objects or noise instead of the lesson.

5. Teach independence. Sometimes it can be natural to do things for someone with special needs. This may not be best for the child. It is better for you to show children with autism how to do things on their own. Teach them how to figure out a math problem or tie their own shoes. Don't do it for them.

Tips & Warnings

• Another teaching technique is to teach with lists. This keeps information in order and helps students understand the information. Teach with questions. If a teacher rephrases a statement by asking a question, it helps keep the students focused and involved in the lesson.
• Teachers can also break lessons into steps. It will help the child with autism be more successful in completing a task.
• Children with autism do not understand social rules; they might come off as rude. Do not be insulted if a child with autism seems to be ignoring you or you get little response from them.
• Be patient. It may be difficult dealing with a child with autism. It may take time for you and the child with autism to get used to one another.
• While it is important to accommodate the child with autism, do not make it obvious that the child has special needs. Children with autism should feel like they are apart of the class, not outsiders.

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