As the summertime reaches its peak, teachers can’t help but think about future lesson plans and fun activities to do with their students in the fall. Meanwhile, new teachers are eager to decorate their rooms and put their education degrees to work.
Of course, being a teacher is about more than just decorating your classroom and doing fun activities. There are specific guidelines in place to help your students excel.
If you have a student with autism in your classroom, you should know that this student may need alternative teaching strategies for social skills, communication, and learning. When teaching children with autism, you should know the dos and don’ts of interacting with them so you can encourage them in the classroom. Use these helpful tips to help support a child with autism in the classroom so they can succeed at school, improve their social skills, and become more involved.
Avoid Sensory Overload
Smells, noises, and fluorescent lights are just a few things that can distract students with autism and make it harder for them to focus on their work. When decorating your classroom, try to use calming colors to create a relaxing learning environment. Avoid covering the walls with excessive posters or stickers to prevent overwhelming the student.
Implement Visual Learning
Many students with autism benefit from visual learning. Using colorful graphics and modeling will help your student with autism understand the material better than a wordy explanation. You should create a visual for classroom rules, label your storage containers, and provide visual resources for students.
Make a Routine and Stick With It
Try sticking to a routine to help your student with autism feel more comfortable. Predictability in the classroom will ease anxiety and help prevent distractions or anxiety. By being predictable and giving your student a schedule they can follow, they can focus more on their work rather than worrying about what will happen next.
Treat Each Student as an Individual
The best way to support a child with autism in the classroom is by being patient, understanding, respectful, and open with them. You must realize that every student is different, and your classroom is full of bright personalities.
Treat each student individually and accommodate for their different learning or social skills. Celebrate their improvements and find new ways to ensure they continue to excel. While others may not need the same degree of consideration, it may help your student with autism.
There are other additional ways to help support a child with autism. Each child is different and may need more or less support in certain areas. However, remember to be understanding and encouraging to your student to provide the best experience in your classroom. As a teacher, you should coordinate closely with the student’s parent or guardian to ensure they’re practicing communication at home to help further their success at school.
