| Understanding how autistic children learn is key to | | | | As visual thinkers, autistic children can often fixate |
| teaching them with the same intensity as you | | | | on a particular object or picture. If this is the |
| teach other children. This may seem like a | | | | case, try incorporating that object or picture into |
| straightforward idea, but autistic children learn so | | | | lesson plans. If the child likes planes, try using |
| differently that understanding autism itself is a | | | | planes for visuals wherever you can in the lesson. |
| must when you teach them. By becoming | | | | For example, when teaching math, create word |
| educated in the disorder, teachers can effectively | | | | problems about planes to interest the child. They |
| learn to deal with them and adults both in and out | | | | also tend to be artistic or musical, producing highly |
| of the classroom, creating a more understanding | | | | original drawings and showing above average |
| world for everyone | | | | abilities with instruments or voice. Set aside time |
| Autistic children are often visual thinkers. Thus | | | | in the day for the arts and encourage activities |
| teaching by speaking will not be entirely effective. | | | | that the children enjoy. |
| Teachers should combine pictures with words for | | | | Autistic children may also have trouble writing |
| the autistic child to fully comprehend the lesson. | | | | because of the control over their hands and |
| For instance, if you are teaching about the animals | | | | movement. This is frustrating for both the child |
| of the world, you should have a flash card with | | | | and the teacher. To reduce frustration, allow the |
| the word "mouse," say the word aloud slowly and | | | | child to use a computer. If you can do this, make |
| clearly, and show the child a picture of a mouse. | | | | sure that the keyboard and monitor are close |
| Perhaps even bring a live mouse in for show and | | | | together as the child may have difficulty |
| tell. Nouns may be easier to teach autistic children | | | | remembering what he or she has typed recently. |
| since verbs require action and can be more | | | | By being open to teaching an autistic child to the |
| difficult in illustrating. If you are teaching them | | | | best of your ability, you are not only giving him or |
| words such as "sit" or "stand," you should | | | | her the best opportunities in life, but you are also |
| complete these actions when you teach the word. | | | | being a good role model to the other children in |
| Also, because of the tendency to be visual, they | | | | the class. Do not allow an autistic child to ruin the |
| are often unable to follow long sentences. They | | | | learning experience for others, but rather |
| cannot decipher the sequence and become | | | | incorporate his or her oddities into your lessons as |
| confused. Thus, writing instructions can be very | | | | much as possible. Creating a more prejudice-free |
| helpful when proctoring tests or quizzes. | | | | classroom is the best gift you can give this child. |