Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello everyone,
I've only just joined the website and was wondering if you guys could help me out. I am currently working as a 1:1 teaching assistant with two autistic children in Reception. They are only 5 years old and non-verbal at the moment. I haven't received much support from the class teacher or the SENCO in regards to how I should be supporting them.
I was wondering if anyone knew what activities I could do with them during phonics, maths and english lessons? As they are unable to follow what the rest of the class is doing. Any advice will be very much appreciated.
Thank you in advance!
Hi NAS36811. I have no experience in this area but I wanted to thank you for coming on here and asking. I do know there is information on this site with regards to using social stories, how to create them and how to adapt them for certain needs/situations.
I guess my contribution would be to build a rapport with the kids and find out what they enjoy. For example, and I know I’m being stereotypical here, but say for example one of them enjoyed trains, I would say bring that into the learning experience, for example, let’s count trains. I just know that with me, I’m more likely to engage with something when it relates to one of my special interests.
I guess any progress will come from a foundation of a shared relationship so developing that, by using something they’re interested in would be a good start.
I suspect you’ll find your way with them because you have already shown that you are prepared to go the extra mile and do what you can to help these children.
Sorry I can’t be of much help but I would like to thank you for doing the job you’re doing and for taking so much care of it. I admire you greatly and thank god there are people like you in this world who can take good care of our little ones who need that extra help.
I think the thing we all want most is to be seen, admired and respected for who we are and I think you’re already giving that to them and it will come through in whatever you do with them.
Hello and thank you so much for your reply! Your advice is really great and I am working on building a good relationship with the children I work with. Taking their interest and combining it with their learning is a absolutely brilliant idea. I really want to be able to support their learning and development as well as I can!