Teaching Strategies
Hello-Parents and Educators! Today, I would like to discuss and offer a few of my successful strategies while working with children who had Autism Spectrum Disorder and other learning disabilities. When I first began my teaching career, my classroom was a self-contained classroom. What this meant was that all of my students stayed in the classroom and were not participating in inclusion within the elementary classrooms. I had two students with severe Autism Spectrum Disorder where they were unable to communicate verbally. At that time, I coordinated services with an Occupational Therapist to look at sensory devices and communication picture boards to help assist each student. This use of the picture board was a huge success with each student.
As a parent or educator consult with your Occupational Therapist. They are extremely knowledgeable and are aware of the latest technology that is being used for communication. Both of my students were taught by their teacher and Occupational Therapist on how to use a picture board. This gave each student independence and the ability to visually communicate their needs and wants.
An Occupational Therapist is also very keen on looking at each student's sensory system. Our sensory system is part of are nervous system. It includes are abilities to see, hear, taste, smell, and be touched. For a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder these senses can all be affected or only a few. Most of the children I worked with had real sensitivities to being touched, had reactions to different food and air odors, did not like loud noises, had food preferences (for example, would only eat potato chips and hot dogs), and did not like bright lights.
I can not stress it enough to seek services for your students or child from your Occupational Therapist. As a special education teacher, I have gained so much information and have learned from experts in their speciality fields. Remember, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and children with other learning disabilities have the ability to communicate.
Ms. C
As a parent or educator consult with your Occupational Therapist. They are extremely knowledgeable and are aware of the latest technology that is being used for communication. Both of my students were taught by their teacher and Occupational Therapist on how to use a picture board. This gave each student independence and the ability to visually communicate their needs and wants.
An Occupational Therapist is also very keen on looking at each student's sensory system. Our sensory system is part of are nervous system. It includes are abilities to see, hear, taste, smell, and be touched. For a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder these senses can all be affected or only a few. Most of the children I worked with had real sensitivities to being touched, had reactions to different food and air odors, did not like loud noises, had food preferences (for example, would only eat potato chips and hot dogs), and did not like bright lights.
I can not stress it enough to seek services for your students or child from your Occupational Therapist. As a special education teacher, I have gained so much information and have learned from experts in their speciality fields. Remember, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and children with other learning disabilities have the ability to communicate.
Ms. C
Labels: Strategies for working with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder
posted by Ms. C at
12:36 PM
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