Teaching children is always a challenge, but it can be especially difficult when trying to effectively reach an autistic child with a learning disability. But while it is hard, teaching autistic children effectively is not impossible if you follow a few simple tips. It doesn't matter if you're a parent who home schools your child or a teacher with an autistic student in class - the following article will offer some helpful tips that you may be able to implement in your next lesson.
One of the most important things to remember is that children who suffer from autism are usually unwilling to accept change in their lives. They tend to fight change vigorously, and so for that reason it is important to have a well-established routine regarding your teaching methods.
If you are a teacher in a classroom, then you undoubtedly already have an established routine. But for a parent who is home schooling, the routine can be harder to establish and keep. Do not modify the schedule if at all possible, whether for convenience or other reasons. Sticking to a set schedule will help meet the expectations of your child, and will help keep an effective learning environment.
Speaking of learning environments, the one in which you teach an autistic child should be straightforward and simple. Avoid having distracting visual images in the teaching area unless they are relevant to the lesson at hand. As autistic children are easily over-stimulated, these distracting elements will compete with the lesson being taught for the child's attention.
It also may be a good idea to incorporate multiple modes of delivery into your teaching lessons. It is no secret that some children respond better to certain mediums than others. This is also the case with autistic children, except that these disparities are accentuated. Because of this, it is important to find a mode of delivery that works best of your child. Don't be surprised if this mode is visual. Sometimes, offering simple illustrations or representative symbols tied to a learning concept can be a great way to reach an autistic child.
You should also give an autistic child enough time and space to process the information you are trying to teach them. This is especially important if they appeared to be frustrated or on the verge of losing patience. Move away from the subject, either by moving to a new one or taking a break. When the child has had ample time to process the information, then you can return to the lesson, likely with much better results. Pushing an autistic child when they become frustrated will simply not work, and should be avoided.
Offering choices is also a good way to stimulate an interactive learning environment with the child. Don't simply present an answer and ask the child if it is right or wrong. Present a group of answers and ask the child to pick the one they think is best. This will also keep the child feeling in control, and reduce frustration blowouts.
While teaching autistic children can be very difficult, it is not impossible. Employing the aforementioned tips will give you a great start to a successful lesson.
Related Articles
Children with Autism and P.E.C.S. Is It Any Good?
By: Alan Yau | 29/09/2006 | Non-Fiction
I've been using the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) with children for a number of years now and have found it to be very useful for some, though by no means, all children.
History Of Autism Pioneers
By: Rachel Evans | 22/05/2007 | Health
Autism does not have a long history, and this is due to the fact that the history of autism really didn't begin until the first decade of the 20th century. Although, autism as a condition was around prior to this time, it was not a recognized condition and most people...
Autism Understanding Furthered By International Genetic Study
By: Rachel Evans | 18/03/2007 | Health
Autism understanding begins when a person realizes that autism is a disorder that affects people differently. Although autism affects the normal functioning of a person's perception, attention and thoughts, autism is not characterized by one type of perception, attention and thought. Instead, it covers a broad spectrum...
What Are Phospholipid Deficiencies In Autism?
By: Rachel Evans | 20/06/2007 | Health
The word phospholipid might not be something you are familiar with, but if you have a child with autism, it could be a useful term to understand. Studies suggest that children with autism are lacking in essential fatty acids that are crucial for proper brain function and development. By measuring...
Aba Autism Treatment Method
By: Rachel Evans | 17/07/2007 | Health
ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis, is one of the most universally popular treatments for children with autism. In fact, most experts agree that the Applied Behavior Analysis method is the most complete and powerful treatment available for children within the autism spectrum disorder. The following article will provide...
What Are The Treating Mercury Poisoning Autism Links?
By: Rachel Evans | 17/07/2007 | Health
Even with a significant amount of research and studies being conducted examining the connection between mercury and autism, many people still do not fully understand this connection, or whether a connection even exists at all. This is due to the highly conflicting nature of these studies and published information....
Understanding Autism And Anxiety On Socialization
By: Rachel Evans | 07/04/2007 | Health
There are many things about autistic children that people generally do not understand, and there are also times when the parents are just as baffled as everyone else. There is a lot of information out there about autistic children, but much of it is conflicting. It's hard to know what...
Discovering Music And Autism And The Connection They Share
By: Rachel Evans | 17/07/2007 | Health
For the parents of a child with autism it can be a continuous process to search for new activities and stimulations that can prove to be a benefit their child. And the hardest part can be discerning the validity of the treatment in question, and the true long-term effects...
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Autism schools in NJ?
By: jswift71 | 05-05-2008
What are some good autism schools in the South Jersey area? Like Camden or Burlington county?
Presence of LPDAC programme in India for Autistic ...
By: mdchaskar | 15-04-2008
Presence of LPDAC programme in India for Autistic patients.
How does the increase in diagnosed autism cases in ...
By: Kora | 02-04-2008
How does the increase in diagnosed autism cases in the United States compare with autism cases in other countries?
Educational Consulting
By: smiilee | 01-04-2008
I am interested in starting a consulting company-working with children diagnosed with autism. I need to know the steps and certifications that i need to have to make this possible.
Zyprexa & Autism
By: allamo2003 | 18-03-2008
dear mis/sir my son is 13 years old & hypothyroidism, i found your site in a google search engine. my son had autism when he was 4 years old after we did all kinds of analysis on one of the known hospitals in saudi arabia,they told me its more electricitie in the brain and this is called autism. they describe this medicene Retalin that had been given to him for 2 weeks but he was having a bad side effects and the doctor stop it & give him Resperdal as aliquid 1 gm for one year and they change the amount to bills 2gm until before two days the doctors specify a new kind of medicene which is Zyprexa and we are wondering if there is a better medicene for autism with congenctal hypothyroidism and he is using: 1- Zyprexa 10 mg in two doses 5mg in morning & 5 mg before he sleeps 2- 150 mg of Thyroxine every day thank you
Autism, treatment, india, japan, explanation, views
By: mdchaskar | 23-12-2007
I would like to like to know Autistic patient,s percentage worldwide and in India and japan in particular. What is the treatment given to kids to improve their behaviour. Other related explanations are welcome.
Q&A Powered by:
More from Rachel Evans
Top Tips To Relieve Your Autism Diet Worries Today
By: Rachel Evans | 07/02/2008 | Health
Autism diet recommendations can be many and varied. Some experts will suggest gluten-free and casein-free diets. Gluten is a substance found in breads and other grains and casein appears in milk and dairy products. The belief is that some people with autism have trouble digesting such substances, resulting in a...
The Autism B12 Vitamin Connection?
By: Rachel Evans | 07/02/2008 | Health
There are many different types of treatments that parents can try when they have a child with autism, however some can be controversial. Autism B12 vitamin therapy seems simple and safe enough, but it is important to be aware that problems may arise if it is administered improperly.
Perhaps the biggest...
Is There An Autism Yeast Infection Link?
By: Rachel Evans | 30/01/2008 | Health
The exact cause of autism is unknown with theories ranging from the result of immunization, genetics, or a combination of both. However, latest findings have demonstrated that there may also be an autism yeast infection link.
So what does yeast have to do with autism?
Studies show that autistic children have different...
A Look At Both Sides Of The Chelation And Autism Debate
By: Rachel Evans | 21/01/2008 | Health
Perhaps one of the hardest aspects of an autism diagnosis is the uncertainty over the cause and the lack of a guaranteed cure. As a result there are many theories regarding the cause and one theory that seems to have taken hold is autism may be the result of heavy...
Sensory Integration And Autism Does It Work?
By: Rachel Evans | 11/01/2008 | Health
Not all children with autism have sensory problems among their symptoms, but when present they are among the first to become noticeable. Sensory issues can range from being hypersensitive or, at the other end of the scale, having a lack of response to many types of stimulation. However by employing...
Autism And Potty Training Techniques - How To Help Your Child Succeed
By: Rachel Evans | 17/07/2007 | Health
It can take a lot of hard work and patience to successfully potty train an autistic child. However, ensuring your child is potty trained is a very important step in the developmental process, for any child. Autism potty training, however, may bring about a sense of foreboding to...
Discovering Music And Autism And The Connection They Share
By: Rachel Evans | 17/07/2007 | Health
For the parents of a child with autism it can be a continuous process to search for new activities and stimulations that can prove to be a benefit their child. And the hardest part can be discerning the validity of the treatment in question, and the true long-term effects...
What Are The Treating Mercury Poisoning Autism Links?
By: Rachel Evans | 17/07/2007 | Health
Even with a significant amount of research and studies being conducted examining the connection between mercury and autism, many people still do not fully understand this connection, or whether a connection even exists at all. This is due to the highly conflicting nature of these studies and published information....
Health 
