What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorders are neurodevelopmenal disorders. Included in the Autism Spectrum Disorders are Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified.
It is important to keep in mind that no two children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are exactly the same, even though they may have similar problems. This is why it is called a “spectrum” disorder.
Some problems that a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder could face outside of the classroom are repetitive movements (e.g. rocking back and forth or flapping of the hands), being more or less sensitive to sounds, smells or touch, problems sleeping, anxiety and emotional difficulties.
It is important to keep in mind that no two children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are exactly the same, even though they may have similar problems. This is why it is called a “spectrum” disorder.
Some problems that a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder could face outside of the classroom are repetitive movements (e.g. rocking back and forth or flapping of the hands), being more or less sensitive to sounds, smells or touch, problems sleeping, anxiety and emotional difficulties.
Information about Autism Spectrum Disorder in the classroom:
Some challenges that a child could face with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a mainstream classroom are difficulty communicating, difficulty engaging in social situations, difficulty making friends, lack of creativity and imaginative play, behavioural problems, obsessive adherence to routines and serve tantrums may result from routines being altered, difficulty engaging or paying attention and difficulty learning a variety of topics due to severely restricted interest and fixations.
Ideas for successful integration:
Successful integration requires supportive teachers and supportive parents or guardians.
Some ideas to ensure a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder is integrated in to the activities and assessment going on in a mainstream classroom are:
1. Supporting the child’s learning and emotional differences
2. Accurate evaluations of the child’s place on the spectrum to ensure appropriate measures are being taken
3. Appropriate support
4. Integrating a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder in to mainstream classrooms (depending on the child's severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder, they could spend everyday in a mainstream classroom or only 1 day a week and spend the rest of the week in a special class or specific program)
5. Try and follow a routine in the classroom
6. Keep classroom activities well organised and predictable
7. Encourage the child to take part in activities where they will experience success
Some ideas to ensure a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder is integrated in to the activities and assessment going on in a mainstream classroom are:
1. Supporting the child’s learning and emotional differences
2. Accurate evaluations of the child’s place on the spectrum to ensure appropriate measures are being taken
3. Appropriate support
4. Integrating a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder in to mainstream classrooms (depending on the child's severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder, they could spend everyday in a mainstream classroom or only 1 day a week and spend the rest of the week in a special class or specific program)
5. Try and follow a routine in the classroom
6. Keep classroom activities well organised and predictable
7. Encourage the child to take part in activities where they will experience success
