ELEMENTARY TEACHING ASSISTANT TRAINING Supports for Students with ASD

Supports for Students with ASD Overview Environmental and visual supports Communication Supports Social Supports Sensory Supports Instructional Supports for cognitive style

Purpose of Environmental Supports Creates predictability Accommodates for receptive language deficits Establishes routines Assists with transitions Increases independence Decreases anxiety

Environmental Supports Assist in understanding physical space Define space (work space, personal space, tape, specific defined areas) Minimize distractions (classroom placement) Organize space and materials (color coding, specific placement for materials) Define work/schedule expectations (personal schedule, expectations for work completion)

Environmental Supports-Work Systems The following 4 questions should be visually available with the presentation of any task/activity 1. What is the work to be done? 2. How much work? 3. When will the work be done? 4. What is next?

Communication Supports Choice boards Sentence starters Cue cards Scripts Visual cues for rules Visual breakdown of task Visual schedules Task organizers Concept maps Low and high tech augmentative devices

Social/Emotional/Behavioral Supports Supporting student interaction with others in their environment (peers and staff) Support coping with anxiety Support developing friendships Support developing appropriate social behavior across environments Use strategies listed in behavior support plan

Examples of Social/Emotional/Behavioral Supports ● Rule Cards ● Social Stories ● Visual supports –social routines, scripts, task organizers ● Feelings scale-5 pt. scale, zones of regulation, etc.

Purpose of Sensory Supports Goal is always to have student be independent at regulating self Keep a routine Provides support in keeping students’ arousal at a ideal level. Attempt to have natural or functional sensory breaks. Occupational Therapist should be consulted in any sensory diets/plans

Examples of Sensory Supports Various sensory equipment Visual supports Preparing students for sensory aversions Provide coping/calming routines Break schedule Exercise routines

Examples of Academic Supports Visual supports (objects, pictures, written directions, defined space for answers, concept maps, graphic organizers, word banks, and defined physical space, defined amount of work) Peer support Predictable routines Smaller group instruction

Resources Chapter 5 in Learners on the Autism Spectrum book 5 Column Worksheet Chapter 3 in Quality Literacy Instruction book