autism does anyone have information on teaching kids with autism I am starting to work with a 4 yr. old.?

Answer 1

What autistics need more than anything else, in order to learn successfully, is a highly organized environment in which (at first) EVERYTHING is predictable.

Maintain the same routine every day. The only changes should be in the content of the skill instruction... and even there only when the child shows mastery of the prior skill(s). The content change should only be a small, logical next step. No sudden, large changes of any kind!

How you will handle this child depends on his/her level of intelligence.

If the child also has MR or is otherwise very severe, TEACCH is still a good behavioral and environmental structuring program:
http://www.autism-resources.com/papers/TEACCHN.htm

At any level of intelligence or severity, ABA (another behavioral/environmental structuring program) is the current #1 program in the United States, with high levels of documented success as well as parent satisfaction:
http://www.behavior.org/autism/

The above links are, of course, just a start to give you an idea of what each program is about.

Academic content should be determined like you would for any other child, based on his/her current demonstrated levels of both ability and potential.

An autistic should also be working with an Occupational Therapist for both fine motor AND Sensory Integration. If this is not happening, do follow up and get the child referred for an OT eval. You should also consider the child's sensory defensiveness and/or need for extra stimulation as you set up his/her program.

http://www.autism.org/si.html

http://www.sensoryresources.com/

It will take a few days of overnight sweat to get a usable program set up from scratch... but it will be worth it months and years down the road!

Answer 2

Check out the following link to the Autism Society of America's website: http://www.autism-society.org You can find all kinds of great information there. Another good resource is the book, The Out of Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Stock Kranowitz. It has lots of activities you can do that are perfect for a child with autism (as well as for your typically developing kids). Some tips on working with an autistic child... they like routine. If the routine is different, you may have a tantrum on your hands. Try to keep the daily routine the same as much as possible to avoid conflicts. You will probably have a lot of behaviors you have never seen or dealt with... hand flapping, no eye contact, anti-social behaviors, being attracted to one aspect of a toy or inappropriately playing with a toy, unusual reactions to sensory things (like shaving cream or paint), and an unusual tone of voice. Many children with autism do not talk, so a lot of screaming and tantruming is to be expected. Each child is unique and has their own way of dealing and moving in the world around them. They have different levels of symptoms; that's why it's classified as a "spectrum" disorder. Ask his parents for any tips: what things he particularly likes/responds to, what may set him off, etc. Don't underestimate the information that a parent can give you... they know the child better than anyone. Have fun and learn what you can... these children are very interesting- I think they are truly brilliant and incredible people.

Answer 3

people with autism think in pictures, keep that in mind.Be creative.Make numbers and letters together with play dough. Seeing and feeling them helps them to remember them.Exposure to "typical" children is extremely important for the socialization. people learn from observation and imitation.I found books written by Temple Granden extremely helpful.Patience is the key! Good luck.

Answer 4

Are you a certified teacher? I thought teachers were suppose to be 'qualified' for teaching children with autism? The federal IDEA special education laws state that teachers are suppose to be 'qualified' to teach according to the disability the child has.

Answer 5

I have a nephew who has a mild case of it and I have to make everything a game and allow for his very short attention span. For example- he really like Harry Potter and runs around the house casting spells. I convinced him to use his speech therapy words to cast spells with. And for occupational therapy I had to put pennies in silly putty and tell him it is a treasure hunt. He gets to keep the pennies but we use the same ones every time. I just have to be patient when he tries to feed himself. I guess the key is to be patient and try to have fun.

Answer 6

My nephew is one. You have to be extremely patient, calm, and fun. Try to do things he/she likes. Mix fun and learning together.