Archive for September, 2009
It is very important to understand how autistic children learn; it is the key to teach them with the same intensity as you teach other children. Autistic children’s learning is totally different and without a proper understanding of autism it is impossible to teach them. Education in autism will help teachers to deal with autistic children effectively including adults, in and out of class room and bring in a more understanding world for everyone.
Autistic children being visual thinkers, instruction through speech will not be effective and pictures and words have to be combined for the autistic child to fully understand the lesson. To teach about the animals you should have a flash card with the work “ mouse“, say the word slowly and clearly, and show the child a picture of a mouse. You can even bring a live mouse in for show. Nouns are easier to teach than verbs which require action and demonstration. To teach words like ‘sit’ or ‘stand’ you have to do the action yourself for the autistic child. As autistic children focus on the visual, they cannot follow long sentences and decipher the sequence. They become confused. So writing instructions will be very helpful when conducting texts and quizzes.
If the child with visual thought fixes upon a particular object include that picture or object into lesson plans. If the child likes plans to use them for visuals where ever possible. While teaching math’s creating word problems about planes to interest the autistic child. These children are likely to be artistic or musical and produce highly original drawings that indicate above average abilities with instruments or voice. Encourage them by setting aside time in the day for arts and allow them to enjoy.
Writing in difficult for the autistic child with disability in hands and movement let the child use the computer to avoid frustration both for itself and the teacher. Let the key board and the monitor be close together as the child cannot remember what it has typed recently.
By being a teacher for the autistic child to the best of your ability you offer the best chance in life and at the same time become a role model to other children in the class. Let not the autistic children ruin the learning experience of others. On other hand include the child’s oddities into your lessons as much as possible. Your best gift for the autistic child will be the creation of a prejudice free class room.
