How to Include a Child With Autism in a Regular Classroom

Include autistic children in groups with other children.

Autistic or other special needs children can participate in general education classes. School systems call classes that combine special needs children with other children inclusion classes. These students still receive special education services that are indicated in their Individualized Educational Plans (IEP), which discuss goals and provisions so the children can have their needs met in school. Inclusion classrooms have both a special education teacher and a general education teacher. The special education teacher is responsible for ensuring adherence to the IEP.

Instructions

1. Group autistic students with two or three general education students. Give each student in the small group a job. Give the autistic child a responsibility that can be completed despite the child's disability. It is important that the child experiences success in the group. A paraprofessional or a special education teacher can assist the student in the group.

2. Read to them or show them pictures. Autistic children may have difficulty reading in the classroom. Read directions and assignments in class as needed. Children who have difficulty understanding words can learn through pictures. Create pictures that express ideas taught in the general education classroom. As you show the students the pictures, use short, simple words that identify them.

3. Help with changes. Autistic children usually have difficulties facing any changes to their normal routines. Prepare the student by explaining planned changes to their schedule or routine. Anticipate the child's difficulty and be prepared to help her with the change when the time comes. Help her by calming her down and showing her the change or accompanying her.

4. Give a cool-down time. Give autistic students cool-down time when they become overwhelmed in the classroom. The cool-down time can include taking a walk around the school or allowing the student to take a break in a quiet place away from the other students.

5. Help with transitions. Support the student with transitions by escorting the student to the next destination. Some autistic students may need to leave classes a few minutes earlier than other students to transition to another classroom, the cafeteria, physical education and a school bus or other transportation home. Allowing the student to leave a few minutes earlier avoids some of the confusion from walking in a busy hallway.

6. Explain abstract information. Autistic children sometimes have problems understanding abstracts, figurative language, abstract humor or sarcasm. Poetry, plays, novels and stories that use abstract language are particularly difficult for some autistic students. Use concrete language to explain plots and explain poetry in simple terms.

References

• National Center for Learning Disabilities: What is an IEP
• Positively Autistic: Inclusion Solutions