GET TO KNOW ABOUT AUTISMBy: Nurul Nadia Abu Bakar

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Social Interaction

Unusual Behavior

Learning

MAJOR CHARACTERIST

ICS

COMMUNICATION• Impaired communication skills

> Verbal – odd pitch/intonation, abnormal rate, lack of expressive language skills, unusual rhythm> Non Verbal – lack of eye contact, inappropriate facial expression, unusual use of gestures, strange body gestures

SOCIAL INTERACTION

• Difficulty relating to people, objects and events

• Avoid physical contact

• Impairment of social interaction and abnormal social play

UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR • Repetitive movements

• Insistence on sameness

• Sensitive towards loud noises, some smells and light

• Unconventional use of toys and objects

LEARNING

• Cognitive problems in; > attention

> organization> sequencing

AUTISM

Accommodating With Their

Learning Needs • No single method successful for all • Students’ needs change over time• Teachers should try other/variety of approaches

Teaching Students With Autism

• Instructional approaches• Strategies for classroom

management• Strategies for communication

development• Strategies for teaching social

skills• Teaching functional skills

• Visual approaches – pictures / written schedules

• Provide precise, positive praise while the student is learning

• Plan tasks at an appropriate level of difficulty

• Use age-appropriate materials

• Provide opportunities for choice

INSTRUCTIOANAL APPROACHES

Cont.• Provide brief and clear oral instructions• Give extra time for them to respond• Use concrete examples and hand-on activities• Know more about the children from their family

SRATGEGIES FOR CLASSROOM

MANAGEMENT • Provide a structured,

predictable classroom

environment• Provide a

customized visual daily schedule

• Provide relaxation opportunities and areas – repetitive

movements

• Plan for transition and prepare the

student for change

• Provide opportunities for meaningful

contact with peers who have appropriate

social behavior

STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT• Structured lesson on

learning to listen• Developing oral language

comprehension – using visual aids, gestures• Developing oral expression

- • Developing conversation

skills – encourage informal conversation

STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING SOCIAL SKILLS

• use social stories• teach components of key social skills• provide planned practice and

reinforcement for skills• provide practice of skills using picture

cue-cognitive picture rehearsal• use peer support• use social skills training groups• support the development of friendships

TEACHING FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

• Self care – hygiene, grooming, dressing• Functional academics – reading, writing and

mathematics• Vocational skills – punctuality, safety

procedures• Leisure skills – sports, arts• Community skills – using public transport,

using public washrooms

References

• http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism• Wood, Judy W. (2002), Adapting Instruction To

Accommodate Students in Inclusive Setting; Merrill Prentice Hall, Ohio

• Teaching Students with Autism a Resource Guide for School (2000) , British Columbia, Ministry of Education (Special Programs Branch)