| Autistic children are usually visual thinkers, so | | | | systems are also useful in educating autistic |
| teaching by speech alone will not be entirely | | | | children. In a token system the child is rewarded |
| effective. It is also common for autistic children to | | | | for each correct response then slowly moves to |
| have difficulty connecting 2 events. For example, | | | | a schedule where the child must make several |
| if teaching reading with flash cards, it is best to | | | | correct responses before the reward is given. |
| have both the picture and written word on the | | | | Token economy systems are great for building |
| same side. If they are on different sides, the child | | | | the ability to delay gratification, enhancing a child's |
| may not understand that they represent the | | | | attention span and increasing the amount of work |
| same idea. Although there are many unique ways | | | | that a child is able to produce in a given period of |
| of teaching, the following three methods have | | | | time.o Floortime |
| proven to be helpful in teaching autistic children:o | | | | Interactions between you and your child (verbal |
| Social Stories | | | | or non-verbal) help to build skills. They are ways |
| Social stories are used to teach social skills to | | | | to build family connections by enhancing your |
| children with autism. They are simple descriptions | | | | child's emotional growth. The more animated you |
| of everyday situations, written from a child's | | | | are and the more energy you have, the easier it |
| perspective. Social stories can be useful in helping | | | | will be to keep the child's attention. The child now |
| a child prepare for changes in routine or learn | | | | views you as a fun play partner. Singing fun |
| appropriate social skills. The child practices these | | | | songs, playing Simon Says, pretending to be zoo |
| stories ahead of time in hopes that when the | | | | animals (yes, this means acting out the role!) are |
| actual situation arises, the child can use the story | | | | all ways to engage the child into exploring their |
| to help guide his or her behavior. | | | | feelings and encourage original thinking. |
| Example: I like to talk to my friends. I like it when | | | | Autism is so prevalent today that one in every |
| my friends talk to me. To talk to my friends I | | | | 166 people have been diagnosed on the autism |
| need to ask questions. Sometimes I do not know | | | | spectrum. We cannot ignore this disorder any |
| how to ask questions. When I see my friends at | | | | more and it is our responsibility as parents and |
| school I can say, "Hi, how are you?"o Visual | | | | educators to come up with new and effective |
| Supports | | | | ways of educating autistic children. Although there |
| Since individuals with autism are often described | | | | are many unique ways of teaching, the 3 |
| as "visual learners," it makes sense that autistic | | | | methods reviewed above are just a few |
| children learn easier through visual activities. | | | | methods that have proven to be helpful in |
| Pictures and cue cards are great ways to | | | | teaching autistic children. |
| enhance the learning experience. Token economy | | | | |