Proper Support for Students with Autism in the classroom

By Siddarth Yalamanchili

The support that teachers provide to students with autism in the classroom is crucial to their learning and social development. Compared to students without autism, these students may have a harder time adjusting to new environments and interacting with other students and faculty. By fostering a safe and supportive space, students with autism can feel more comfortable to learn and communicate without other worries.

There are several ways to establish effective support in the classroom:

• Structured and Predictable Environment

  • Schedules - Having a hour by hour schedule for the day can help students with autism know what to look for next. This can bring them a sense of relief and allow them to focus their attention towards learning.

  • Expectations - A clear procedure on how to complete an activity and what the expectations are can help them focus on the achieving the desirable outcome and reduce distractions.

  • Routine - A schedule that doesn't change often is helpful. For instance, a morning routine can be to hang their coat, say "hi" to the teacher, record their emotions, and sit in their seat.

    
    

• Sensory Additions

  • Quiet Space - Sometimes loud sounds and bright lights can be overwhelming, which is why it is important to have a space where the students can collect their thoughts and emotions. It is important that it is not made as a "time out", instead, a resource.

  • Sensory Box - This box would contain tools to help students with autism express their emotions and feeling through sensory toys. Example of these toys can include fidget toys, Play-Doh, and stretchy rubber toys.

    
    

• Communication and Interaction Guided Support

  • Group Projects and Games - It can be hard for students with autism to get together naturally and interact with other students with ease. Therefore, by forming a group of students and helping them get to know each other, teachers can make this easier on them. Finding similarities and common interests can be good talking points.

    
    

• Foster Inclusion

  • Books and Movies - By reading various books and showing short movies that promote inclusivity and diversity, students with autism and other students understand the importance of being open and understanding.

All of these steps are important in building a safe environment. However, arguably, one of the most important steps is to build trust with the student. A teacher should be a safe and trusted adult that they can talk to if anything bothers them or if they need anything. With these tips, students with autism can focus better on their education and collaborating with other students without high amounts of anxiety.