Tip Sheets

10 Essential tips for Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

• ASD students don’t have to look at you all the time.
• Give them time to answer any of your questions.
• Asperger people need positive feedback to know they are on the right track.
• More in the document…

ASD and Learning

I love routine and order

• Help me to keep things in the right order
• Show me how to put things carefully back on the shelf
• Show me pictures of what you want me to do

Create a Positive Environment

The relationship between parent and school is ideally a solid partnership, with all participants working effectively for the benefit of the child with ASD.

Create a Positive Partnership with Teachers

Girls on the spectrum are better at masking their condition – they do this by copying the behaviours of others. Behaviour is often less ‘obvious’ for someone not familiar with ASD girls. Some great tips to identify and understanding how girls differ from boys.

Girls on the Spectrum

Transitioning the student to after school is an important part of the day. To end the day on a good note helps the student to remain calm and return the next morning ready for learning.

Help the Student to End the Day

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can, and usually have a problem with, perfection and everything being perfect. That is perfection as perceived by them.

Due to their literal thinking styles and unconventional ways of problem solving, their concept of something being perfect is very different from ours. This can lead to many problems at home and especially at school.

Importance of Being Perfect

Ten Essential Strategies to provide inclusion of the student in the classroom and socialising in the playground.

Inclusion – 10 Essential Strategies

Self-motivation is very difficult for someone with ASD especially when they can’t see the “payoff” at the end. Having a special goal to work towards has been the best motivator for our students.

Motivators

Ten Essential Strategies

Positive Behaviour Support – 10 Essential Strategies

There are a range of strategies you can use for breaks and here are some to get you started:

• Sensory
• Physical
• Relaxation
• Diversion
• Solitude

Power of Preventative Breaks

• Classroom support for teacher (training, etc)
• Assistance to set up structured environment
• Curriculum Planning (IEPs etc)
• Whole School STAFF
• Professional Development for Teacher and Assistant

Preparing the Classroom

When change is about to happen it is important to notify particular teachers and staff so they are aware of the difficulties that this student will face and to be aware to look for signs of anxiety.

Substitute Teachers

This is a useful Guide for devising your own school handout, especially if you have a range of people working with students.

Support Staff – Essential Tips

When a partnership is formed between teachers and parents, the students see the value in education and education related activities such as homework and revision.

Teacher and Parent Relationship

10 Essential tips for Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Understanding ASD – 10 Essential tips