Teaching Autistic Children: Strategies for Success in the Classroom and at Home
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching Autism children. However, there are some general strategies that can be helpful in both the classroom and at home. In this blog post, I will discuss some of the best strategies for success when teaching Autistic children. I will also provide 10 tips for supporting Autistic children to best engage in learning activities and provide information on the most evidence based program to support the emotional needs of Autistic children in the classroom.
What We Need to Know
The first step in teaching Autistic children is to understand how they learn best. Many Autistic children are visual learners, so using pictures and diagrams to explain concepts can be very helpful. Other Autistic children may benefit from more hands-on learning activities. It is important to experiment and find what works best for each individual child.
Another important strategy for teaching Autistic children is to provide clear and concise instructions. It can be helpful to write down the steps of a task or activity so that the child knows exactly what is expected of them. Breaking down tasks into small, manageable steps can also be very helpful.
It is also important to create a safe and supportive learning environment for Autistic children. This means having clear rules and expectations, as well as providing plenty of opportunities for the child to succeed. Creating a positive classroom or home environment can go a long way in helping Autistic children thrive.
Ten Tips
My top ten listed tips below can be helpful when teaching Autistic children. These tips are based on the latest evidence and research and are designed to help Autistic children engage in learning activities and make progress in their development.
Create a safe and supportive learning environment
Use clear and concise instructions
Break down tasks into small, manageable steps
Encourage hands-on learning activities
Use pictures and diagrams to explain concepts, including visual schedules
Provide opportunities for the child to succeed
Encourage the child to ask questions
Be patient and understanding
Reward progress and effort
Ensure predictability and consistency
These tips are just a starting point. Every Autistic child is unique and will learn in their own way. The best way to find out what works for your child is to experiment and be creative. With a little trial and error, you will be sure to find the strategies that work best for your child and help them succeed in the classroom and at home.
Increasing Engagement
Engagement.. Can be.. Challenging! I get it. Autistic individuals think and process differently to the standard norm and it is important to remember that. We need to adapt the way we teach in the classroom and at home to better support their needs. One way to support Autistic children to engage is by using social stories. Social stories are short, simple descriptions of a particular situation or event, written from the perspective of the child. They often include pictures and can be used to teach children about a wide range of topics, including appropriate social behavior. Many parents and professionals find that social stories are an effective way to teach Autistic children about a variety of topics.
Consider the use of visual supports, visual supports are tools that can help provide structure and support for Autistic children. Visual supports can include things like picture schedules, social stories, books, and apps. Many parents and professionals find that visual supports are an effective way to help Autistic children engage in new activities. Visual supports and social stories can be effective ways to teach children about a variety of topics and help them learn new skills.
Teaching Emotions
When it comes to understanding and expressing emotions, Autistic children may have a difficult time. This is because they tend to think in more literal terms and therefore may have trouble understanding sarcasm, jokes, and metaphors. However, this does not mean that they do not feel emotions. In fact, many Autistic children feel things very deeply. They just may not express their emotions in the same way as neurotypical people.
One of the best ways to help Autistic children understand emotions is to be very clear and specific when you are talking to them. It is also important to be patient and avoid using sarcasm or jokes. If you take the time to explain things clearly and in a way that supports their way of thinking and understanding, you may be surprised at how well your Autistic child comprehends and responds to the topic of emotions.
One way to do this is by using emotion cards. You can find these online or make your own. Print out or draw pictures of different facial expressions and label them with the corresponding emotions. Then, go through the deck with your child, pointing out each expression and discussing what it means. You can use toys or dolls to act out different emotions and discuss emotions as you see them on their favourite tv shows. This helps them to understand the spectrum of emotions we feel in different situations and then connect these emotions and experiences to facial expressions and body language. It further supports normalising emotions for young people.
Another way to teach emotions is through stories. There are tons of great children’s books that deal with feelings. Read one together and talk about the emotions the characters are experiencing. Ask your child how they would feel in the same situation. This is a great way to start a conversation about emotions and help your child understand that everyone feels them, even if they don’t show it on the outside.
Finally, try some activities that help children express emotions in a healthy way. You can also encourage them to draw pictures or write stories about times when they felt a certain emotion. This is a great way for children to share their feelings in a safe and controlled environment. Take a look at the resources I have here to further support this learning - Autism Resources.
Teaching emotions to Autistic children can be a challenge without the right tools and techniques, but with an understanding on neurodiversity and how to best support learning, it can be done. I highly recommend getting the support from a professional in the field who can provide you with the tools, strategies and resources to best support emotional skills building. It is important that these same skills are consistent both in the home and at school for the best possible outcomes. See below for the program I recommend for emotional skill building for Autistic children at home and in the classroom 😊
Do you have any tips for teaching emotions to children with Autism? Share them in the comments below!
The Westmead Feelings Program (WFP)
Do you have an Autistic child? Or teach Autistic children? Are you looking for ways to help them feel more comfortable in social situations? If so, you may be interested in the Sydney Westmead feelings program. This program is designed to help Autistic children understand and express their emotions.
WFP is an evidence-based clinical intervention designed specifically to teach social and emotional skills to Autistic children. WFP is grounded in theory and has strong evidence base to support its clinical effectiveness. WFP aims to enhance the emotional awareness of Autistic children by building on their knowledge of their own and others’ emotions, developing their skills in perspective-taking and empathy, and enhancing their capacity to regulate their own emotions, in particular, managing negative or unpleasant emotions. WFP is tailored to the unique thinking and learning style of Autistic individuals and is designed to meet the learning needs of Autistic children aged between 8 to 14 years.
It additionally offers a suite of therapeutic materials that parents, health, education and disability professionals can use to support Autistic children, and develop cultures of emotional learning around the child by providing parents, caregivers and teachers with skills to be emotion coaches at home and school. This course can be offered as a program for young people, caregivers, teachers and a range of other professionals, dependent on needs.
The program consists of eight weekly sessions, each lasting two hours. During these sessions, children will participate in activities such as role-playing, music and art. They will also learn how to use visual supports, such as social stories and picture books. With additional sessions available for parents, teachers and other professionals. If you’re interested in enrolling your child in the Westmead Feelings Program, then please reach out to me at hello@makeliferosie.me for more information. I would be happy to answer any of your questions.
I hope this information is helpful and if you have any questions or would like to share your own experiences, please feel free to leave a comment below and let me know if you have tried the Westmead Feelings Program yourself! I would love to hear from you. If you have any questions about Autism, or are looking for a particular resource then please reach out, I am here to help. 😊
Rosie 🌹
Autism Related Resources Available