1. Autism defined by IDEA
Autism means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal
communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three, that adversely affects
a child's educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are
engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental
change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.
IDEA Regulations: Part 300 / A / 300.8 / c / 1 / i
Statistics
CDC Report 2012 from vvwvv.austim-society.org
1 in 88 are diagnosed 1
in 54 boys
Autism Spectrum includes:
Autistic Disorder
Rett syndrome
Childhood disintegrative disorder
Pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
Asperger syndrome
Characteristics
• Social Relationships:
o Difficulty establishing relationships
o Resist human contact
o* Issues with social
interaction o Lack
of eye contact o Uninterested in
others
• Communication
o Delayed language
o Struggle to maintain communication (conversations)
• Poor communication leads to inappropriate behaviors (screaming, hitting,
biting, running) o Echolalic
speech - repeat what others say
* Repetitive Behaviors
* Interests
o Narrow range of interests
o Can spend hours alone exploring 1 thing obessesively
• Student Stress
o Tend to get stressed easily
o Difficultly dealing with stress
o Get stressed or "set off by little things
o Often need rituals to complete tasks
Non Profit Organizations
vvww, autismspeaks.org
www.autism-socitey.org

2. Teacher Tips
* Create structured/predictable environments
* Establish and display clear procedure for tasks
* Establish and display rules
* Establish consistent pattern for instruction
* Use visuals (pictures) for displaying rules and procedures
* Foster social interactions
o Teach children with autism to take turns, wait, complete tasks, be
flexible, be quiet...
• Communication
o Variety of strategies depending on level of ASD
* Language
* Sign Language
* Communication boards
• Other tips:
o Social Stories: Brief stories of when certain behaviors are
acceptable and not
acceptable o Picture Exchange Communication System: display
picture of desired item or
task...student responds.. .no words used o Visual Schedules: Pictures
that depict daily routines displayed in classroom and in
student notebook o Special Education Department: work with SPED
to develop a plan that works
with each individual student.
Resources
http://www.araisnispeaks.org/faniily~seiTices/resource-library/too1s-professionals
Autism Speaks School Community Tool Kit
This tool kit is intended to be a support for the general education and administrative
school staff
who interact with students with autism in various capacities.
www, a u tisnispeaks.org/school
Eden Autism Services Free Webinars: Teaching Students with Autism This program
provides free monthly webinars and "live chats," free lesson plans, and online
discussion forums to help teachers connect and collaborate on the best practices for
supporting students with autism.
Effective Strategies for Students in Grades
PreK-5 Effective Strategies for Students
Grades 6-12
How to Set Up A Classroom for Students with Autism
A Manual for Teachers, Para-Professionals and Administrators
www,autismclassroom.com
Skills®: The Online Autism Solution
Skills® is an online tool for educators of children with autism that provides comprehensive
assessment and curriculum, positive behavior support planning for challenging
behavior,
progress tracking and treatment evaluation all in one place.
www.skiilsforautism.com