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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Autism Teacher Training - Is There An Oversight That Autistic Children With A General Education May Experience Setbacks?


While many schools try to integrate children with learning challenges into the mainstream classroom, autistic children with a general education could experience setbacks because of the environment in school. A classroom not suited to autistic behaviors and teachers or students not understanding disorder characteristics could hinder the learning ability of an autistic student.

An inclusion school environment can be successful if teachers have experience and training in autistic education. Not having the proper training could lead to setbacks in an autistic child's verbal and nonverbal communication development, sensory processing, social interaction and imaginative or creative play.
Because autism affects non disordered pupils with habits stressful to others, teachers need to help all students adapt by using different techniques based on the needs of the autistic child. Because autistic children have habits, such as repetitive behavior or sudden outbursts for no reason, a classroom needs to be flexible in order to conform to an individual's learning needs and be capable of addressing behavioral issues in a calm and understanding, yet disciplinary, manner.

Mainstream schools with successful autism inclusion rely on visual aids, structure and routine to ensure that there are no setbacks later in life for an autistic student. In addition, by pairing an autistic child with a traditional student, an autistic student's socialization improves through peer interaction and anxiety is reduced. With a well rounded education, the autistic student will be able to conduct daily living needs and function in society as an adult.


While most people rely on two or three learning styles, autistic students use only one style of learning. Because autistic children have different learning styles than traditional students, a dual curriculum is necessary in certain general education areas. Otherwise, the autistic child will be unable to process the information being taught. Autistic children whose learning style is not being met can cause disruptive behavior, such as running around in the classroom or not listening to the teacher. In these situations, a classroom may not be suited for autistic learning.

If teaching styles in a mainstream school cannot be adapted, then a school that is tailored towards the autistic student is the best option. The school environment and teachings will be better geared to the student and there will be no issues with not understanding the behaviors of the disorder.

However, there are pros and cons when comparing an inclusion school to an autistic needs tailor made school. While autistic students can learn from other students, a general education could cause setbacks if educators fail to modify their teaching styles to accommodate autistic students. However, a school tailored only to autism shelters autistic children and prevents them from learning societal challenges among others without the disorder.


While the debate continues to ask whether a general education can cause setbacks, it is known that a proper education for an autistic student requires a nurturing environment that allows the individual to feel comfortable in learning. By doing so, autistic students will be able to find their talents and succeed in life

Thursday, March 18, 2010

What To Remember When Teaching Autistic Children


Good teachers are those who help children with autism achieve success. They must be able to help their pupils overcome autism. Teaching autistic children isn't just limited on the patients; teachers must also interact with the parents and other family members.

Parents need to be aware of their children's case and they must have special participation in the planning of the instructions and curriculum and in monitoring the progress of their child. If teachers let the parents do their share in the learning process, the child will get not just good school experience but also better and more productive learning experiences at home.

Here are some things teachers have to bear in mind when teaching children with autism:

1. Long strings or series of verbal instructions must be avoided.
As a teacher, you must always bear in mind that autistic individuals find it hard to instill the sequence in their memory. So if he or she can read, just write down the instructions on a sheet of paper. If you are giving directions involving more than three steps, write them down.

2. Most autistic people are visual thinkers.
Many people with autism think in pictures, not in language. So if you want to make them familiar with some words, use pictures to demonstrate such words to the child.

3. Autistic children usually get stuck on a certain subject such as maps or cars.
Since fixations on some things just can't be avoided, better utilize them to encourage school work.

4. Utilize concrete visual techniques to teach children with number concepts.
In teaching autistic children with numbers, it would be better to use visual methods such as math toys.

5. Protect children with autism from sounds that usually hurt their ears.
Loud sounds irritate autistic children, so protect them by avoiding things that produce such sounds. Don't let the child have fear on the sounds he or she doesn't like because it can make him or her behave badly.

6. If the autistic child is hyperactive, let him wear a padded weighted vest.
Such apparel help calm autistic children that's hyperactive. The garment gives pressure that calms the person's nervous system. It would be better to allow the child to wear the vest for twenty minutes and take it off for a few minutes. This way, the nervous system is prevented from getting used to the said outfit.

7. Most children with autism have troubles controlling the motor in their hands.
It is for this reason that most autistic children have messy handwriting. Oftentimes, they find it hard to achieve good handwriting and this can totally upset them. So to avoid or at least lessen such frustration, better help the child find pleasure in learning by letting him or her type on the computer.

8. Make sure the child's desk is near the window.
Fluorescent lights and some visual distractions bother autistic individuals. So when teaching autistic children, avoid illuminating the room by means of fluorescent lights and let them sit near the window.

9. Children with autism are oftentimes good at art, drawing, and computer.
If you notice that the child is good in a certain field, encourage them to use and improve their talents. Weighted Vests Autism

10. There are autistic children who easily learn how to read using phonics while some learn by memorizing the words.
This is also an important consideration in teaching autistic children. Since they learn reading the easy way through the help of phonics, then teach them phonics rule.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

The Secrets To Teaching Children With Autism

Autism is a developmental disorder that can effect anyone. Although genetic factors are declared to be the a large number of powerful ones behind it, there are several other things that can actually shoot about the development of autism. Despite the disability involved when one has autism, teaching autistic children is still possible using techniques too are positive to work.

One of the most debilitating characteristics of autism is the learning disabilities that come with it. When it comes to teaching children with autism, hard is really an understatement. The whole effort to teach children who have this disorder is definitely going to involve not just a mountain but mountain ranges to conquer.
When determining the teaching strategies to use, a teacher can take note of the different symptoms of autism that can impede the natural learning process. Ample knowledge of such symptoms can make the strategy and teaching process effective. There is no assurance that it is going to be easy though.

Here are some of the factors that need attention and thorough consideration to success in the aim of teaching children with autism.

1. Teaching environment. Because of autism, children find it hard to concentrate especially in the presence of loud noises and colors. They get easily distracted by such elements. Therefore, it is a must that the classroom or wherever the teaching process takes place should be kept at its plainest form. It should also be quiet and peaceful enough in order to help keep the children feel the same.

2. Routine activities. Children with autism cannot handle surprises. The daily activities should follow a certain routine. The kids have a good idea of what is going to happen next. This is the only way for them to concentrate and learn.

3. Limited options. When making the children choose something, it is important to keep everything simple. They should not be subjected to a number of choices. It is very easy for them to get all confused over many selections. In the end, they learn nothing and might even feel bad about the whole process. Letting the child pick one over the other is the best way to do it.

4. Simple communication. Using simple words is the best way to get the points across and completely understood by these young autistic kids. More so, one should maintain a lower voice since loud ones tend to agitate these children.

Autism in itself is a hard thing to deal with. However, it should not be something that limits what a child can do. Although their learning abilities might be limited, children with autism still have the capacity to learn. After all, autism is not equal to being stupid. In fact, many autistic children are very proficient and talented in certain areas. All it takes is a greater amount of effort and patience from the teachers.