Principles of Instructional Design Within the Autism Classroom

The knowledge of the characteristics of learning insetting (mainstream) for most students with
the autistic classroom setting leads toautistic behavior individualized personal instruction
understanding and customized educational forms(IPI) is essential. Individualized teaching should
of action. This aspect is particularly helpful becausesupplement class teaching where sensible. In any
students with autistic behavior only can do little tocase, IPI should never lead to an isolation of the
contribute to the direct understanding of theirstudent.o Differentiation of teaching method
behavior in the situation and this could lead toAction-orientated learning is extremely frustrating
misinterpretations.for students who have difficulties to use arbitrary
Promotion of communication and social integrationmotor function.
have priority.o Structuring classesThey often canplan actions abstractly, but do not
Human, spatial and temporal rhythm structure ofhave the ability to implement these actions. This
the day-to-day school life are essential elementsshould be taken into account when planning
to give autistic students structure and guidance. Alessons and, where appropriate, be compensated
regular schedule with clear assignments of peopleby differentiation of the execution or by repeating
and rooms in advance provides with the security,the instruction.o Intrinsic activity
reliability and guidance which they need to a highEducation should constitute a notably challenge to
extent.o Opening up of diverse communicationintrinsic activity for students with autism. Often
and interaction opportunitiesstudents' behavior can be described as being
The need for contact, exchange andpassive with a tendency to self-stimulation. This
communication should strictly be met. In class, thisdoesn't necessarily have to mean disinterest. The
mandate is of particular importance becausecause may possibly come from the incapacity to
without a functional communication system,perform an action. Therefore, new motion
academic achievements and skills cannot bepatterns have to be initiated that expand the
demonstrated. The concept of Facilitatedrepertoire of behavioral patterns.o Learning within
Communication-FC was developed to expandthe community with applied individual help
communication skills which include a wide range ofLearning within the community includes:
nonverbal communication systems. FC itself is not1. Participation in social life.
a form of therapy, but is a method of2. Imitation behavior. With all group learning
communication in the sense of supportedprocesses, imitation behavior plays a special role
communication, that in combination with otherfor autistic students. They select their models
forms of communication might offer a broadeningbased on individual, subjective meaning.
of communication possibilities for children with3. Applied individual help for structuring support,
autism disposition.prevention of uncontrolled behavior, and coping
Nevertheless, the active promotion of languagewith complex actions.o Respecting the unusual
and comprehension of speech takes precedenceview of the people and the world
over the non-verbal communication.o Adequacy ofThe realities of life for people with autism are
courseworkcharacterized by: - limitations of experiencing the
The behavior demonstrated by students withworld, - different weighting of perceptions and
autism often leads to confusion andassessment of experiences. Often they are not
misperceptions about the actual learning levels.able to transfer their experiences to new
Underchallenging can evoke the same withdrawalsituations and they lack the comprehension of
and refusal behavior like overburdening. Thesituational similarities. Thus, their world of
adequacy of coursework can often be veryexperience is different from ours. They neither
difficult to evaluate.o Differentiation of thehave access to many topics in class, nor
organizational formconsistent experiences, and interest.
In addition to learning within the general classroom