7 Tips for Supporting Children with Autism

(Written with Marjorie Wild)

As Autism Acceptance Month draws to a close, we want to offer some practical tips that may be helpful for children on the autism spectrum and those who support and care for them.

​Each child is unique. This is no less true for children whose diagnosis falls under the broad criteria of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Children are diagnosed with ASD when they have persistent difficulties with communication and social interaction, and when they have patterns of behavior that differ.  But these are the challenges; these children have many strengths as well.  Our job is not only to provide support for the skills that are lagging but also to notice and nuture their unique abilities and talents.  After all, isn't this what we do for all our children?

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, here are 7 tips for working with children on the autism spectrum:

1.  Find ways to teach children skills that will help them interact
When a child wants to join a play group, be a social coach to all the children in your care. Model appropriate peer support and acceptance whether the environment includes classmates, family or friends.

2.  Use clear and concise language
Give simple directions.  Avoid multistep directions or asking the same thing a different way before the child has had time to process and respond. Allowing ample wait time helps young children and all those who may need extra time to process directions or requests.

3.  Provide a set daily routine and let children know of any changes
Use visual schedules to support children’s understanding and processing of these routines and changes. If possible, have a paraprofessional or caring adult do a walk-through with a child ahead of a new or changed routine, such as when a cafeteria or auditorium is not filled with other students.

4.  Keep choices clear and limited
If a child is likely to be overwhelmed by too many choices or has limited verbal skills, offer two acceptable choices, such as apples or grapes for snack. (If a child is non-verbal the choice can be made using pictures or the items.) If offering acceptable activity choices following an inappropriate behavior, an example might be, “You can help your friends in the block area build their wall, or you can build something with your own blocks. You cannot knock their blocks down.”

5.  Keep objects on hand that children find comfortable or reassuring
Have a designated calming space tailored to the needs of the children in your care. This can include sensory soothers like our eepworm products, a beanbag chair, weighted vest, or a child’s favorite jacket. Teachers and families can work together to find calming solutions unique to each child.

6.  Make consequences consistent and natural
Help children understand and predict consequences by being consistent. As with consistent routines, there can be comfort and calming in predictability and in consequences that are natural, like putting a toy away before beginning a new activity.

7.  Identify what triggers strong reactions
Be aware of how a child’s sensory sensitivity may be affecting his/her behavior and how that affects their ability to self-regulate. A child whose brain is in fight, flight or freeze mode because of a sensory trigger will need help with calming before he/she can process a lesson or reflect on the behavior. Remove distractions such as noise or an overstimulating visual background  when necessary.

Having a month dedicated to increasing our understanding of any issue should serve to move us forward in our thinking and future actions. Being mindful of our own understanding of autism can change personal interactions and behaviors, fostering attitudes of acceptance.

What helps you accept children's differences?
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How do you support their challenges while also nurturing their strengths?

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References & Resources:

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Autism Spectrum Disorder Defined. (2013, Jan 15).  https://youtu.be/bo4-5xnRcYU
Center on the Social Emotional Foundations of Early Learning. (n.d.). Resources:  Preschool training modules.  http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/training_preschool.html#mod3b 
Ganz, J.B. & M.M. Flores. (2010). Implementing visual cues for young children with autism spectrum disorders and their classmates.  Young Children 65 (3):  78-83.
Head Start Center for Inclusion.  (n.d.). Classroom visuals and supports. Teacher Tools.  http://headstartinclusion.org/teacher-tools#visual
Kaplan Early Learning Company.  (n.d.).  Supporting children with autism.  https://www.kaplanco.com/ii/autism
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Autism spectrum disorder.  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml
OCALI Autism Certification Center (n.d.).  ASD strategies in action. https://autismcertificationcenter.org/
Villa, J. & L. Colker.  (2006).  A personal story:  making inclusion work.  Young Children 61 (1):  96-100.
Willis, C.  (2009).  Young children with autism spectrum disorder:  strategies that work.  Young Children 64 (1):  81-89.
Willis, C.  (2006). Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House.