Hey there, teacher friends!
If you’re a teacher working with students on the Autism Spectrum, you know that every child is unique and requires special attention to help them succeed in the classroom.
One way to support your students is by promoting their independence.
When students feel confident and capable of completing tasks on their own, they are more likely to engage with the material and develop important skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
In this post, we’re going to share with you some exciting strategies and tools that can help your ASD students thrive in the classroom. So, let’s dive in and discover how you can help your ASD students thrive!
Offer choices and opportunities for self-direction
Giving students with ASD choices and opportunities for self-direction can help them feel more in control and engaged in their learning.
You could offer choices for assignments, such as letting them choose between two or three different projects, or letting them choose the order in which they complete tasks.
Encourage them to take ownership of their learning by setting goals and tracking their own progress.
Use visual schedules and cues
Visual schedules and cues can be very helpful for students with ASD, who may struggle with transitions and changes in routine.
Create a visual schedule that outlines the daily schedule and the tasks that need to be completed, using pictures, symbols, or written words depending on the student’s preference.
In my classroom, I adopted a method where we use pictures and symbols to represent each task per lesson and have a digital time of when that task will start and end.
This allows all students to visually see the morning – and if we need to make changes, we can easily do so with the magnetic whiteboard.
Menu Maths
If you’re looking for a resource to promote independence in maths, check out Menu Maths.
This resource offers a fun and engaging way for students to practise maths skills independently. Menu Maths provides students with a menu of maths problems to choose from, allowing them to select problems at their own level and pace.
Students can work on Menu Maths independently or in pairs, and teachers can use it as a supplement to their regular maths curriculum.
Click here for Menu Maths resources
Interest-Based Learning
Positive reinforcement and interest-based learning can help your students stay motivated and engaged.
Acknowledge their hard work and achievements with specific, sincere praise, and reward good behaviour and progress with incentives that they care about.
Incorporate their interests into the curriculum to make the material more relevant and engaging for them.
Foster a Growth Mindset
Fostering a growth mindset can help your students develop resilience, perseverance, and a positive attitude towards learning.
Encourage your students to view mistakes and setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth.
Use language that emphasises effort and progress over innate ability, and provide opportunities for your students to reflect on their learning and set goals for improvement.
When supporting independence in an ASD classroom it requires patience, understanding, and the right strategies and resources.
By providing some clear instructions, using visual aids, offering choices, and using positive reinforcement, you can help your students become more independent and successful life-long learners.
Thank You! ❤️
Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful to both you and your special students.
Be sure to check us out when it comes to special education teaching resources and ideas, The Special Education Studio is where it’s at. Visit our website and socials for helpful tips, resources, and personalised support.
