How to Teach an Autistic Child

Teaching an autistic child can be extremely challenging, since there is no particular strategy that works the same way for each individual. Many advances have been made in the last few years in the treatment of autism, a bio-neurological condition that prevents normal interaction with others. Finding the right combination of therapies requires patience, understanding and the willingness to improvise when something does not work.

Things You'll Need

• Sand
• Flash cards
• Water
• Clay

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Instructions

Teach an Autistic Child

• 1

  Avoid relying upon verbal or written instructions to teach an autistic child. An autistic individual is usually more visually-oriented, and will respond more quickly to diagrams and pictures than words. Flash cards with words mated to a corresponding picture can be particularly effective.

• 2

  Establish a set routine, with specific schedules for the teacher and the student to follow each day. Autistic children use routines to feel safe, and will resist aggressively if that routine is upset. Carefully introduce new information within a familiar structure in order for the child to learn and progress.

• 3

  Downplay the importance of handwriting skills in autistic children, since some motor skills can be compromised by autism. Instead, allow the autistic child to type answers on a keyboard. Place the monitor close to the keyboard, as many autistic children may have difficulty in establishing the connection between the two objects.

• 4

  Eliminate loud sounds, such as bells, PA systems and buzzers, from the learning environment. Autistic children can react negatively to loud noises. In fact, some autistic children respond more readily to verbal instructions if they are whispered or even sung softly.

• 5

  Use tactile stimulation to trigger an autistic child's imagination. Autistic children react favorably to playing with water, sand and even clay (although use a non-toxic type, in case they decide to try and eat it).

• 6

  Achieve better results while using behavior modification techniques by always rewarding good behavior (positive reinforcement) and never punishing aggressive, repetitive or undesirable behavior (negative reinforcement).