In a 3rd grade classroom of 36 students, it's very likely that at least 1 student will have autism.
If their symptoms are subtle enough, it may not be obvious by just looking at or interacting with this student.
Image by storyset on Freepik
You don't have to be an expert to learn how to support an autistic student. Use the following strategies for effective intervention! 😀
Did you know?
Autism is a lifelong condition and there is no cure, which means that autism doesn't only affect children. It's now common for people with relatively subtle symptoms to get "late-diagnosed" in adulthood.
What is autism?
Image by storyset on Freepik
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also known as autism or "being on the spectrum", is a neurodevelopmental condition that may make navigating social situations difficult. It can also show up as having unique interests and certain repetitive behaviors.
Some common behaviors that students on the spectrum show are:
Unintentional rudeness by misspeaking or interrupting others in conversations
Seeming awkward by misreading social cues, body language, tone, or facial expressions
Dressing for comfort in sensory-friendly clothing that may not meet class expectations
Appearing disorganized by accidentally being late to class or missing deadlines
Overstimulation from sensory triggers such as classroom fluorescent lighting or bells ringing
Did you know?
The puzzle or jigsaw piece symbol has mixed reactions in the autistic community. Some aesthetically like the puzzle piece and find nothing wrong with it. However, historically many individuals on the spectrum feel that the jigsaw piece symbol negatively demonstrates that autistic people are "puzzling", mysterious or need to be fixed.
Quiz: Jamila
Jamila (they/she), is a student in your class who:
misreads the body language of classmates
is frequently late to class or misses deadlines
often interrupts others during discussions with many questions
wears comfortable clothing that doesn't always match the dress code
uses headphones and music to self-soothe during overstimulation
appears uncomfortable under bright classroom lights when they work
Image by storyset on Freepik
Quiz
Based on your understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), how would you interpret Jamila's behavior?
Did you know?
Autism is often considered an invisible disability. This means that it may not be obvious by just looking at someone on the outside. Often, people on the spectrum appear to be misbehaving or having personality issues by appearing defiant when asking clarifying questions.
What school experiences might an autistic student have?
Image by storyset on Freepik
Students on the spectrum are more likely to get bullied than their peers. Because of this, autistic students might also refuse to go to school at significantly higher rates to avoid negative social experiences.
Some ways to support autistic students in bullying prevention include:
Class discussions about bullying and its impact
A class safety plan for any student to learn how to exit bullying situations
Role-play practice scenarios that teach students how to speak up
Image by storyset on Freepik
Autistic people have strengths. They're often known to be detail-oriented and very honest. They also might have strong logical thinking skills and the ability to memorize information quickly.
An autistic student in your class may benefit from:
Detail-oriented assignments that allow for recalling event details or lesson specifics
Allowing class time for questions so students can ask for clarification on activities
Assignments with special interest topics that let students explore their favorites
Did you know?
Despite recent improvements, autism remains underdiagnosed in people of color, such as children that identify as Black or Hispanic. Even after diagnosis, these individuals often have limited access to support and services to thrive.
Subscribe for more quick bites of learning delivered to your inbox.
Unsubscribe anytime. No spam. 🙂
What are more specific ways to support autistic students?
Image by storyset on Freepik
Autistic students are often visual learners and may benefit from:
Printed symbol images for activities, such as book symbols for reading time
A timetable or class schedule to show time duration of daily activities
Large clocks or timers that break down time for everyone
Short video demonstrations showing the class activity beforehand
Do:
Create predictable environments
Use various visual supports
Give structured activities
Establish consistent routines
Communicate changes as they occur
Allow sensory tools, like headphones
Don't:
Change the physical classroom often
Use auditory instructions only
Give open-ended activities
Have too much spontaneity
Avoid communicating details
Restrict sensory tool use
Did you know?
The autistic community often prefers identity-first language. This community is starting to move away from person-first language. So instead of saying "my student with autism", it's often socially acceptable to refer to them as "my autistic student". Always ask your learners what they prefer!
Take Action
Image by storyset on from Freepik
Support autistic students!
Did you know?
This Byte is for educational purposes only. Remember that a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) can provide great insights on how to protect them from bullying and how to set them up for success in class. It's always recommended to refer to guidance provided by a student's support system, parent(s), legal guardian(s), and/or licensed professional team.
Your feedback matters to us.
This Byte helped me better understand the topic.
New Bytes
We publish fresh Bytes daily, we can send you a notification when that happens.