Autism by Mari Powers

Autism defined by IDEA

Autism means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three, that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.

IDEA Regulations: Part 300 / A / 300.8 / c / 1 / i

Statistics

CDC Report 2012 from http://www.autism-society.org/

1 in 88 are diagnosed
1 in 54 boys 

Austim Spectrum includes:

 

Autistic Disorder

Rett syndrome

Childhood disintegrative disorder

Pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)

Asperger syndrome

Characteristics

• Social Relationships:
  • Difficulty establishing relationships
  • Resist human contact
  • Issues with social interaction
  • Lack of eye contact
  • Uninterested in others

Communication

• Delayed language
• Struggle to maintain communication (conversations)
  • Poor communication leads to inappropriate behaviors (screaming, hitting, biting, running)
• Echolalic speech – repeat what others say

Repetitive Behaviors

Interests

• Narrow range of interests
• Can spend hours alone exploring 1 thing obessesively

Student Stress

• Tend to get stressed easily
• Difficultly dealing with stress
• Get stressed or “set off” by little things
• Often need rituals to complete tasks

Non Profit Organizations

www.autismspeaks.org

www.autism-society.org

Teacher Tips

• Create structured/predictable environments
• Establish and display clear procedure for tasks
• Establish and display rules
• Establish consistent pattern for instruction
•  Use visuals (pictures) for displaying rules and procedures
• Foster social interactions
  • Teach children with autism to take turns, wait, complete tasks, be flexible, be quiet…
• Communication
  • Variety of strategies depending on level of ASD
    • Language
    • Sign Language
    • Communication boards

Other tips:

• Social Stories: Brief stories of when certain behaviors are acceptable and not acceptable
• Picture Exchange Communication System: display picture of desired item or task…student responds…no words used
• Visual Schedules: Pictures that depict daily routines displayed in classroom and in student notebook
• Special Education Department: work with SPED to develop a plan that works with each individual student.

Resources from

http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-library/tools-professionals

Autism Speaks School Community Tool Kit
This tool kit is intended to be a support for the general education and administrative school staff who interact with students with autism in various capacities.www.autismspeaks.org/school

Eden Autism Services Free Webinars: Teaching Students with Autism
This program provides free monthly webinars and "live chats," free lesson plans, and online discussion forums to help teachers connect and collaborate on the best practices for supporting students with autism.EffectiveStrategies for Students in Grades PreK-5
EffectiveStrategies for Students Grades 6-12

How to Set Up A Classroom for Students with Autism
A Manual for Teachers, Para-Professionals and Administratorswww.autismclassroom.com

Skills®: The Online Autism Solution
Skills® is an online tool for educators of children with autism that provides comprehensive assessment and curriculum, positive behavior support planning for challenging behavior, progress tracking and treatment evaluation all in one place.www.skillsforautism.com