Key Strategies
The key strategies below are not an exhaustive list but describe good evidence based practice for working with students on the autism spectrum (Organisation for Autism Research). Tailoring these strategies to the unique students with Autism in your class will support a positive and supportive learning environment as well as positive social and academic outcomes for students. The associated resources will hopefully provide you with practical examples of how to apply the key strategies in primary and secondary school settings.
We will continue to build on the primary and secondary resources with your help. Please email us and share great resources that you are using in your classroom in the areas of priming, visual supports, break space, reinforcement and transitions. (emal: [email protected]).
We will continue to build on the primary and secondary resources with your help. Please email us and share great resources that you are using in your classroom in the areas of priming, visual supports, break space, reinforcement and transitions. (emal: [email protected]).
Primary Secondary
1. Priming
•Explicit instructions and learning intentions •Rubrics for success criteria •Study guides and vocabulary lists •Prior warning of expectations and any change •Teach how to ask for help, join a group, take a break •Teach roles for participation in group activity •Warn before changing activity •Indicate when preferred activity/reward will happen |
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2. Visual Supports
•Visual Schedules •Class schedule for the lesson •Self management tools e.g. Task Steps and timing prompt •Assessment Schedule •Graphic organisers •Social script |
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3. Break Space
•Option to take a break to avoid anxiety •Chill Zone and Lunch Clubs •Use of time out cues – take a note to a staff member •Access to calming activity (music, quiet reading, taking a walk) •Sensory supports 4. Reinforcement
•Verbal acknowledgement •Previously discussed reinforcement of choice •Link to self monitoring •Use student’s areas of interest |
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5. Transitions
•Plan protocols: to class, between classes, from one topic to another
•Plan protocols: to class, between classes, from one topic to another