Intervention Strategies Digital Brochure Payton Huls

What is Autism?

Autism is a neurological and developmental disability that can afefect how children and adults communicate, behave, learn, and interact with others (NIMH, 2023). This disability can usually be diagnosed by age 2 (NIMH, 2023) Signs Include (NIMH, 2023): * Little to no eye contact * Difficulty making friends or playing with peers *Adjusting their own behaviors in social situations is difficult * Facial expressions different than emotion being presented * Sensitivity to light, sound, temperature, textures, etc. * Upset by changes in routine and difficulty with transitions * Hyperfocused on interests

Why is it important for Collaboration

Should having autism spectrum disorder mean your child can't thrive in the same way as a child without autism? NO. Should you have to find resources and learn about autism spectrum disorder on your own? NO. Should you have to figure out strategies to use when helping a child with autism? NO. We are here to help. In this brochure, you will learn more about what autism is and the signs of autism. You will learn about specifically designed instructional strategies and family intervention strategies. You will also learn about community and collaboration strategies as well as organization reccomendations. We want to help you so you can help your child succeed. In a world where everyone is different, embrace your child's differences.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

By: Payton Huls

National Institute of Mental Health. (February 2023). Austism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd

Collaboration and communication strategies

Family Intervention Strategies

Specially designed instruction strategies

* Individuality: making sure to know the child's strengths, weaknesses, interests, likes, dislikes, hypersensitivity, etc. could help make that relationship positive between parents, teachers, and students. *Settings Goals and Expectations: Knowing the child's limits and setting goals with teachers, parents, and child can help everyone be on the same page and know their role. * Know Skill Levels: For each category of development and learning, know the level the child is at and meet them there with learning tools to help them grow.

* Celebrate their Strengths: highlighting skills, especially in a social setting, can help the child in further social interactions becuase of gained confidence. Celebrate their interests and go above and beyond in discussion about them to also help build those conversation skills. * Set Environments: Children with autism have hypersensitivity to sound, textures, light, temperature, etc. As much as possible, set your child up for success. At a restaurant, don't sit next to a big window with beaming sunlight and make sure it's in a more secluded part with less noise and distractions * Modeling Behaviors: Breaking down social interactions and behaviors can help a child with autism understand the situation being discussed. Games can be used to help with this such as board games or playing catch

* Sensory Limitations: Children with autism can have hypersensitivity to sensory overloads such as light, sound, textures, etc. An example could be being in the front of the line for less sound, or giving them the option to opt out of a sensory activity. * Reading Comprehension: A teacher can use technology so the student has mutliple devices, whichever they are most comfortable with. They can also choose subjects related to the interest of the child, since children with autism can have hyperfixation to their interests. * Using Incentives: Some children who go to ABA therapy, which helps to manage problem behaviors for children with autism, use incentives at therapy. This can also be used in the classroom. If they can take a deep breath, they can pick out a lovey to snuggle with. If they come to the rug for circle time (even if it's in the back), they can have a fidget.

Autism Speaks. (n.d.). The team appraoch to educating students with autism. https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit-excerpt/team-approach-educating-students-autism

Organization recommendations

* American Academy of Pediatrics: Autism Initiatives * Autism Society and Autism Speaks * The BRAIN Foundation * Autistic Self Advocacy Network * Color of Autism

Elemy. (May 30, 2020). 5 ways to improve social skills for autistic children. https://www.elemy.wpenguine.com/autism-family-guide/improve-social-skills

National University. (n.d.). 4 best teaching strategies for students with autism. https://www.nu.edu/blog/4-teaching-strategies-for-students-with-autism/