Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello!
Im a primary school teacher looking for ideas/tips on how best to support an autistic child that will in my p6 class after the holidays.
Ive met him a few times (I’m new to the school but been teaching for 15 years) and he struggles with the academic side of school but has got some friendships within the class. He has told me repeatedly that he has low self esteem and confidence. The school are keen to limit his laptop time as it causes a meltdown when he has to come off it.
I will have some support but looking for ideas/tips that he can do when he’s finished a piece of work and I’m teaching another group.
The previous teacher told me that it is either 1:1 with him and ignore the others or ignore him and teach the rest but impossible to do both.
Any help/tips would e gratefully received! Thanks!
General strategies for a child with autism are visual schedules (symbols for each subject/task usually made with velcro so they can be changed accordingly); timed activities including choice time so the child knows when it will finish; tailoring work to the child's interests when possible; deal board - now and next: now it is English, next it is choice time; chunked activities; reward charts and lots of visual symbols and reduced language. Melt downs for having to come off a laptop is quite common. Maybe see what else the child really likes to do as motivators are very helpful with children with autism, as is being aware of any triggers. Being aware of their sensory needs is also important. Both what to avoid and what can help. For example a child may be calmer if allowed to regularly bounce on a gym ball. That is just an example, it is completely individual to the child.
A safe space can also be incredibly helpful for children with autism- a work station away from other children, a comfy corner with cushions, what ever works for that child really.
Most of it is getting to know the child. Parents are a good source if the previous teacher isn't giving you any strategies. The way instructions are given can make a big difference. For some children with autism asking them to do something is no good. E.g. Would you like to sit on the carpet? No! For these children they need the instruction to be short, clear and direct. Other children find direct instructions too demanding. In this case a closed choice is usually the best strategy. E.g. Would you like to sit here or here. It doesn't leave the same opening for no as they only have 2 options.
Sorry if some of that was just stating the obvious.
Hello,
First I think the the previous teacher clearly does not have the best interest of the child. She should at least given you ideas which she has tried & failed so you will not repeat the same ideas (if they don't work). IF she even tried any at all. I would suggest you make an attempt to see what kind of things this child likes to work with. Speak with his parents to see if they have any ideas. My son likes to work on his own sometimes and will get more done then with distractions. I had one teacher tell me she observed him and found little things to help him. He likes books so if he is really stressed he can take himself to a corner to read or write. Draw pictures about a subject they may be studying. I think you need to be positive and ignoring a child is not an option. You may have to ignore a behavior for a short time but then he needs to be redirected. It is very difficult to deal with a large class and one child who needs your attention but maybe the school can help with this. For my son a walk around the school and just being outside can help him calm down a bit to at least have a conversation or move him in a direction of some sort of positive work. You need to stay positive even when you are at your wits end. Try to remember as difficult as this will be for you, it is probably at least twice what you are feeling for him. Try to take cues from him, see how he acts to you. You may have to let him be at the beginning to let him know you are not his enemy but try to let him know you are there for him. I'm just tossing out ideas as they pop in my head. I wish you the best of luck. Please be patient with him. This is a hard time for everyone.
Hello, and welcome to the forums. I hope you get some ideas from here, as well as from colleagues.
A couple of little things about the forum: You may want to change your 'NAS3xxxx' username to something more recognisable. You can do this by going up to the round button up the top right of the page, then 'Profile' then 'Edit Profile'.
Also you seem to have posted your question twice. You can delete the earlier version:
https://community.autism.org.uk/f/parents-and-carers/12958/supporting-autism-in-mainstream-primary
if you go to that thread and then click the 'More' button underneath it and 'Delete'.