Learn how to better support your students with ASD in the classroom with some helpful tips.
- Provide a consistent routine and structure throughout the day
- Give plenty of warning for any changes to routine
- Field trip, assembly, fire drill
- Provide warning before a change in activities
- Use a count down or timers
- “Time Timers” can be helpful because they visually show how much time is left
- “Children’s Countdown” app also visually shows how much time is left, and it’s free!
- Use a count down or timers
- Use visuals!
- Personal visual schedule of the day
- Shorter visual schedule of a challenging routine
- Visuals of behavior expectation
- Use social stories written from the student’s perspective to teach appropriate and desired behaviors for challenging times of the day
- Explicitly teach social skills and social expectations
- Avoid using sarcasm or idioms (“Put your thinking cap on”)
- Giving the most literal direction is most helpful
- Give choices with 2 clear options where either outcome is ok with you
- After giving a direction or asking a question, allow time for processing time before restating the direction or question
- Offer the option for breaks throughout the day
- May want to have items available to meet sensory needs
- Weighted blanket, quiet space to go to, noise-canceling headphones, fidget items, items with different textures, different visual stimuli
- May want to have items available to meet sensory needs
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