7.1  Optimize individual choice and autonomy

 

Looking though lens of my role with Autism Team

Students with ASD often do not have the understanding of how choices are managed or considered. When too many choices are offered this has the effect of raising their anxiety, which then challenges their self-regulation skills.

 

Educational Assistants: perception of their role supporting students with ASD is often to help them navigate the hidden rules of the classroom. Most kids figure out how to play school to some degree. Kids with ASD need external supports. The EA can operate as a promoter of autonomy. They need supports but it does not serve them to have someone do the task or make the choice for them.

 

The teacher can set up the classroom so that components operates autonomously - so all kids understand their roles and responsibilities in terms of some aspects of the classroom environment/structure.

Kids with ASD struggle with choice so this is an element of the process that has to be acknowledged and accounted for.

 

Setting up check-ins, work bins, use of visual timers, reinforcement systems where the teacher becomes the manager of the system and offers support to kids as they go through their day. In so many classrooms teachers are communicating what's happening verbally and there are a lot of daily changes, interruptions, alterations in schedule, etc. The more of the day that is set up to run without teacher involvement the better.

 

Can teachers create videos and other supports to explain how to navigate the day?