Terri Ramsey Beavers We live in times of inclusion. But there are still sadly many difficulties for students who are on the autistic spectrum. Dealing with autistic children is new territory for many teachers. So whether your child needs medication or even potential therapies, it is important to note that these details may not completely take every problem away. So here are some tips for dealing with autistic children in everyday school life.
Tip 1: Every person is individual. It’s no secret that we are all different. But many underestimate what this can mean in the case of autistic students. It often appears like the needle in the haystack. You try, fail, discard. And try something new. And that again and again. What a great feeling it is when your effort is crowned with success! It’s incomparable.
Tip 2: Get experts on board. Few have already dealt extensively with the topic of autism. It is not an official part of the studies, although it should be. Many schools, therefore, have experts in the form of a school social work team on site. If you find such a situation at your school, it is best to establish contact. You should talk to the experts at your school. Get tips – maybe also from colleagues who already know the student and could share their experiences with you. Conferences are often also convened in which the procedure is discussed together with students and parents to see where and how best to help. Draw from the full – it benefits you and saves you time and energy that you can put into your students!
Tip 3: Failure is okay. Maybe you pulled out all the stops, talked to experts, and tried everything possible? You will not always find the right learning companion or teacher for a student – this applies in principle. Just keep doing your best, because you have enough to deal with already.
Tip 4: Use clear formulations. A lot of text and tasks that, from a different perspective, are not concrete enough, can mean the end for your student in written work. Maybe a small example. For autistic children, this can be a real problem, because entire class tests are sometimes finished way before an autistic child and then they may feel left behind. Academics have to be nurtured and dealt with in their own time. The clearer you are with your descriptions and your information to them, the easier they will find things!
Tip 5: Allow them quiet time. Distraction and restless or loud neighbors can immensely disturb the well-being of your student. The reactions to such disorders can be very different. Numerous reactions are possible and it can lead to them becoming very upset. The best way is to simply ask the student from time to time if they like their seat or if they would rather sit somewhere else. After all, it is their surroundings that they need to adapt to. At home there may be a specific location they enjoy reading in, and this is great to learn as much as possible.
