I am SO excited about this post today! To continue with Autism Awareness, I invited Sasha, over at
The Autism Helper, to write a guest post about working with children with autism and their classroom teachers. She teaches in a self-contained classroom with 10-14 year olds with autism! She is currently working on her Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis!
Working with Children with Autism:
Although I am sure I could write an overly long book about this topic I
would love to share - what I think - are the most important things to
know and consider! SLPs are BEYOND important in the world of autism! In
my mind, building communication is priority number one. Communication
opens the door to a wide range of other skills, environments, and
opportunities.
My tips :)
Collaborate with the Teacher:
One of my favorite parts of my job is collaborating with the clinicians
that work in my classroom. I love getting another perspective and
having someone to bounce ideas off of. I have been very fortunate to
have some amazing therapists to work with. These therapists have melded
perfectly within our classroom dynamic. I appreciate a clinician who:
respects our classroom schedule {it's there for a reason and my students
know when they are supposed to have therapy and when they aren't}, asks
my opinion {we are a team, right?!}, communicates with me, and is
flexible {sometimes things just don't go as planned!}.
Teach the Teacher: Like I said, I love
collaborating. Leave the classroom teacher suggestions for how to
incorporate your ideas and techniques into the student's day to day
schedule. Give realistic suggestions that are doable! Yes, I would love
to embed a communication opportunity into each and every activity we do -
but sometimes I just honestly don't have time with a full classroom on
my hands. Don't be offended if your suggestions aren't immediately taken
up :)
Understand and Use the Behavior Plan: This
might actually be the most important point. Children with autism can
sometimes have very challenging behavior. If the teacher is using a
behavior intervention that is successful - use it! Consistency is beyond
important when implementing some interventions and it is imperative
that expectations stay constant throughout the student's day. If you
have questions about the behavior plan - ask! Make sure you feel
comfortable with the system.
Reinforcement: This is probably important
point #2! Really look at what reinforces each students' behavior
(behavior meaning communication!). Some children with autism are not
reinforced by social praise as many other children are. Some types of
communication may be initially challenging for students with autism
because the social attention the communication results in is not
reinforcing to them! Social skills deficits are a diagnostic criteria of
autism and is something that needs to be targeted! When working on
social communication skills or other new communication skills, use high
magnitude reinforcers! Let the student work for break time, iPad,
snacks, etc. You can always fade it out later - but many times you will
need this to develop new skills! The example I always use is - you
wouldn't come to work if you didn't get paid, would you? Our students
need a reason to work!
Keep it Structured: Since most children with
autism struggle with communication, unfamiliar transitions or activities
can be difficult for them because they do not know what to expect.
Children with autism thrive when the environment is structured and
routine based. Make sure to come at a regular time. Ease in new
activities slowly to allow students to adjust and become familiar with
the task expectations!
Less is More: I am probably preaching to the
choir on this one - but so often with my students less is more when it
comes to language. Even some of my highest functioning students, have
deceivingly low receptive language. They are often good fakers and can
play along like they understand. But many times they do not.
Sasha has a lot of great activities in her
TpT store. She is the queen of file folder activities :) She also has a
Facebook page where she will post pictures, tips, and activities! To see her website, click on the picture below:
I hope you learned a lot from her!! I know I certainly did! I will definitely be implementing these strategies with some of my students.
