Autism in the Classroom
Autism is also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Individuals with Autism often face challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication. Individuals with Autism usually have a hard time communicating, prefer to be alone, struggle with others feelings, have highly restrictive interests, and intense reactions to the five senses.
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DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history C. Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learned strategies in later life) D. Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning. E. These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) or global developmental delay. Intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder frequently co-occur; to make comorbid diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, social communication should be below that expected for general developmental level. |
What Causes Autism?
Currently, there is no one cause of Autism. Research suggests that Autism develops from a combination of genetic and nongenetic, or environmental, influences. 1. Genetic Risk Factors
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Examine the evidence that vaccines
DO NOT cause Autism. |
Strategies in the Classroom
1. Daily routine outlines, previewing/reviewing the day ahead of time
2. Alternative media (visuals, color coding, visual directions, auditory)
3. Sensory tools – various manipulatives that releases stress and improves focus (opportunities to relieve stress) (noise cancelling headphones)
4. A place to escape, change of environment (Quiet corner)
5. Frequent extra breaks
6. Develop and use social stories
Learn more accommodations
2. Alternative media (visuals, color coding, visual directions, auditory)
3. Sensory tools – various manipulatives that releases stress and improves focus (opportunities to relieve stress) (noise cancelling headphones)
4. A place to escape, change of environment (Quiet corner)
5. Frequent extra breaks
6. Develop and use social stories
Learn more accommodations
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Sensory tools to use in the classroom
Additional Resources:
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