Mending Autism

Good teachers are those who help children with autismachieve success. They must be able to help their pupils overcome autism.Teaching autistic children isn't justlimited on the patients; teachers must also interact with the parents and otherfamily members.

Parents need to be aware of their children's case and theymust have special participation in the planning of the instructions andcurriculum and in monitoring the progress of their child. If teachers let theparents do their share in the learning process, the child will get not justgood school experience but also better and more productive learning experiencesat home.

Here are some things teachers have to bear in mind when teaching children with autism:

1. Long strings or series of verbal instructions must beavoided.

As a teacher, you must always bear in mind that autisticindividuals find it hard to instill the sequence in their memory. So if he orshe can read, just write down the instructions on a sheet of paper. If you aregiving directions involving more than three steps, write them down.

2. Most autistic people are visual thinkers.

Many people with autism think in pictures, not in language.So if you want to make them familiar with some words, use pictures todemonstrate such words to the child.

3. Autistic children usually get stuck on a certain subjectsuch as maps or cars.

Since fixations on some things just can't be avoided, betterutilize them to encourage school work.

4. Utilize concrete visual techniques to teach children withnumber concepts.

In teaching autisticchildren with numbers, it would be better to use visual methods such asmath toys.

5. Protect children with autism from sounds that usuallyhurt their ears.

Loud sounds irritate autistic children, so protect them byavoiding things that produce such sounds. Don't let the child have fear on thesounds he or she doesn't like because it can make him or her behave badly.

6. If the autistic child is hyperactive, let him wear apadded weighted vest.

Such apparel help calm autistic children that's hyperactive.The garment gives pressure that calms the person's nervous system. It would bebetter to allow the child to wear the vest for twenty minutes and take it offfor a few minutes. This way, the nervous system is prevented from getting usedto the said outfit.

7. Most children with autism have troubles controlling themotor in their hands.

It is for this reason that most autistic children have messyhandwriting. Oftentimes, they find it hard to achieve good handwriting and thiscan totally upset them. So to avoid or at least lessen such frustration, betterhelp the child find pleasure in learning by letting him or her type on thecomputer.

8. Make sure the child's desk is near the window.

Fluorescent lights and some visual distractions botherautistic individuals. So when teaching autistic children, avoid illuminatingthe room by means of fluorescent lights and let them sit near the window.

9. Children with autism are oftentimes good at art, drawing,and computer.

If you notice that the child is good in a certain field,encourage them to use and improve their talents.

10. There are autistic children who easily learn how to readusing phonics while some learn by memorizing the words.

This is also an important consideration in teaching autisticchildren. Since they learn reading the easy way through the help of phonics,then teach them phonics rule.