Autism Quick Tips

This is a one page handout I presented to teaching assistants the other day.

* What is Autism? A neurobiological disorder that shows impairments in communication, social skills, and stereotyped, repetitive behaviors

*The key with Autism Spectrum Disorder is skills are abnormal for typical development, not just delayed

*Reinforcement is key! Find items and activities that motivate the student. Ideally, interaction with adults and peers will be the motivation.

*Student should have to use adult/peer to access reinforcers, which not only increasing requesting opportunities but make the adult/peer reinforcing as well

*Get to know their interest and use them within teaching time to encourage the student.

*The goal for our students it to be as independent as possible: Use prompts but fade them as quickly and effectively as possible

*Full Physical/Verbal Prompt --> Partial Physical/Verbal Prompt --> Gesture prompts

*When possible, use a visual cue instead of a verbal prompt

*Use errorless teaching: prompt before the student makes a mistake. We don’t want them to practice the wrong thing.

*Try to avoid “No” or “Don’t.” Often students with Autism have difficult with negation. They may miss the “no” or “don’t” and instead engage in the unwanted activity

*Try to always tell the student what you do want them to do. Instead of “Don’t run,” tell them to
“Walk.”

*In the classroom, ideally the teacher will give instructions and the TA will help the student follow through without having to repeat the instruction. We want the students to learn to respond to teacher and group instructions. By repeating the instruction to them, they are only learning to respond to the TA.

*If they can’t imitate they can’t learn from their environment. Teach imitation!