British Autistic Society Article

Tips for Teaching Those with Autism

When you attempt to teach a person who has been diagnosed with autism, you may find that it is quite a difficult task. However, with a little background into the condition of autism and the research on the teaching techniques that have worked in successfully teaching autistic people in the past, you are sure to get through. Here, in this article, you will find many useful tips for teaching those who have been diagnosed with autism.

1) If you are in a position in which you need to teach those who have been diagnosed with autism, it is very important that you understand that the person with autism must have a very well planned, and almost ritualistic day. The learning environment must be well structured and designated specifically for the person with autism. It is also extremely important that the person who teaches an autistic person remain very calm, yet have very firm mannerisms. 2) When you teach a person who is autistic, it is very important that you ensure that you are using a fine mix of sensory methods. You should especially focus on the senses of hearing and sight. These methods have proven to be very effective when teaching the person who has been diagnosed with autism. 3) If you are teaching someone who is autistic, it is very important that you keep the talents and skills that you have recognized with them in mind. Once you recognize the talents and skills of the person with autism, you should build on those. This is the part of the autistic person that makes them unique. They should be able to express themselves as individuals. 4) When you are in a position where you are teaching a person with autism, it is important that you understand that many people with autism start to become fixed on things. For example, if they see a bird and like it, they may constantly look for birds or similar flying objects. If you find that you are teaching an autistic person that becomes fixed on a particular item, you may choose to implement that item within the scope of your teaching methods. 5) If you are teaching an autistic person, and they are having a difficult time adjusting to a task, try to find alternative ways to teach the task. For example, if the autistic person is having a hard time writing with a pen or pencil, you should allow them to try to let them type on a typewriter or a computer. If they are having a problem reading a book, buy a cassette tape or CD that has someone reading the book so that the autistic person can still benefit from the story contained in the book. 6) If you teach a person who has been diagnosed with autism, it is important to understand that many people with autism learn better while performing certain tasks. For example, a child who has autism may learn better while swinging or splashing in water.