For instance, you may know from the child's behavior she wants a snack. Many of … Applied Behavior Analyst. By the same token, each of your students possesses the inherent desire to be understood, connect and be accepted.When it comes to unlocking what works for the individuals you serve, there are many strategies that help ease communication, learning and behavioral issues. Explore the possibility of havi… Explaining a sequence with pictures that can be mimicked may also be helpful for students who cannot read.For students who simply cannot get enough of one subject—trains, maps, dinosaurs, etc.—their favorite theme can be a great motivator. What works for some, may not work for others. Keep them simple. Common offenders are school bells, PA systems, scoreboard buzzers and chairs scraping on the floor. For example, your child may use sign language at school to communicate, but never think to do so at home. Once you establish effective strategies for helping a child, share those ideas with others who play a role in the child's life. Trying to give children a heads-up about a change is also very important and hopefully will help avoid tantrums or frustrations. I think they’d love this advice and might look into children’s behavioral therapy for him soon.As a Speech-Language Pathologist, planning out my speech therapy sessions is a large – and important – part of my job. Creating consistency in your childs environment is the best way to reinforce learning. Collaborate with parents to see what can be borrowed from successful home strategies. Hungry children have a harder time learning whether they have autism or are neurotypical. All Rights Reserved.© 2006-2020 LoveToKnow, Corp., except where otherwise noted. Avoid lengthy verbal directions and break tasks and instructions into clearly defined steps. If you’re hoping to teach members of your class to shake hands following an introduction, you must shake hands in front of them when meeting new people. If one of your students regularly covers his or her ears or refuses to enter a room, there may be a sound he or she is afraid of. However, children with ASD have "off" days or times that are more challenging, and there may be situations where they will not succeed at the goal if success means 100 percent. Bright lights, regular classroom or home sounds, and tactile sensations can be very distracting to a child with For some kids on the spectrum, behavior can be very situation-dependant. Sometimes, it may seem like nothing you do interests them or gets their attention. Searching for bugs outside just might be the perfect reason to explore previously avoided textures like grass, sand or water.These days, neat handwriting doesn’t have to count! Software programs, such as Mayer-Johnson’s Boardmaker, are great to incorporate as well!Loud sounds can be jarring and downright painful to some with Autism. I’ll make sure my mom calls to check in the available slots and schedule in the nearest therapy clinic. Once you’re able to determine what’s bothering the child, you may try recording the sound on a tape. Students in my class do learn best by example.

Reading and processing social cues is challenging, so your students are relying on you to teach them how to act and respond in social situations. Be consistent.

Embrace technology when possible—including television, CDs, and computers. Getting a child with ASD to engage with you is not always easy. It may seem counterintuitive, given that many children on the spectrum struggle with learning challenges, but it's important to avoid making things too easy. Our youngest sibling was born with autism, and we couldn’t be anymore prouder of his improvement.