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