Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment
Understanding & Supporting Students with Autism
Start
As teachers, it is important to embrace the differences in learning styles and behaviors of all students. In your classroom, you will have neurotypical and neurodivergent students, which includes students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dysgraphia. By promoting understanding, acceptance, and accommodations for all learners, you can cultivate a more inclusive and supportive educational setting where every student can thrive and can appreciate the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodiversity brings to your classroom.
image: shine-light.org
How Common is Autism?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today.
1 in 36
In 2019–2021, 4.66% of boys were diagnosed with ASD, compared to 1.50% of girls. In 2020, the prevalence of ASD was 3.8 times higher in boys than girls.
The two core symptoms of autism are challenges with social communication and interaction skills and restrictive and repetitive behaviors.
- Fail to respond or appears not to hear you
- Prefer to play or work alone
- Have poor eye contact and facial expressions
- Struggle to start or continue conversations
- Speak with abnormal tone or uses a singsong or robot voice
- Don't express emotions or appear unaware of others' feelings
- Inappropriately approach a social interaction, can be passive, aggressive, or disruptive
- Have difficulty recognizing nonverbal cues, such as other people's facial expressions or tone of voice
- Perform repetitive movements or stimming
- Become dysregulated with a change in routine
- Are sensitive to light, sound, or touch
- Fixate on an object or activity with intensity
You may have students who...
Myth #1 All individuals with autism are the same.
Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it presents differently in each person. According to the American Psychiatric Association, autism is characterized by "deficits in social communication and interactions and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interst, or activities", yet individuals with autism have a wide range of strengths, challenges, and characteristics. Some people with autism can speak, while others are minimally verbal and communicate in other ways. Some have intellectual disabilities, while some do not. Some require significant support in their daily lives, while others need less support.
image: https://images.app.goo.gl/m2NDuwtzW97wWUNYA
Myth #2 People with autism lack empathy and cannot form relationships.
While it may be difficult for individuals with autism to navigate social relationships and to struggle with understanding and expressing emotion in typical ways, most people with autism are campable of empathy and desire meaningful relationships.
Image: https://images.app.goo.gl/nWKgY1PLsqbrskjv7
Myth #3 Autism is caused by vaccines.
There is no definitive cause of autism, although research sugggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a role. The timing of an autism diagnosis might coincide with the recommended vaccine schedule for children and adolescents, but the idea that vaccines cause autism has been debunked by scientific evidence.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Vaccine-Studies-Examine-the-Evidence.aspx
The American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled a list of this research.
Myth #4 Students with autism cannot be successful in school or employment.
It is impossible to predict a student's success based solely on a disability label. With appropriate support and accommodations, individuals with autism excel in many areas, including academics and employment.
Image: https://images.app.goo.gl/VB5J7nvMom4aJgxY7
There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what he cannot do.
Dr. Temple Grandin
If they can't learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn.
Visual Supports Visual schedules, timers, and cues can help students with autism understand expectations and transitions.
Sensory Accommodations Noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools, and sensory breaks
Break Spaces Quiet or calming areas where students can take breaks when feeling overwhelmed
Positive Reinforcement Token economies or rewards for desired behaviors can motivate students and encourage positive engagement
Structured Routines Consistent routines and clear expectations can help students with autism feel more secure
Clear Communication Simple, concrete language and provide instructions in multiple formats
+ ifo
"To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater." -Bono
Do you have an idea?
With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to leave your audience speechless. You can also highlight a specific phrase or fact that will be etched in your audience's memory and even embed surprising external content: videos, photos, audios... Whatever you want!
Supporting Students with Autism
Sharon Kerr
Created on October 20, 2024
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Transcript
Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment
Understanding & Supporting Students with Autism
Start
As teachers, it is important to embrace the differences in learning styles and behaviors of all students. In your classroom, you will have neurotypical and neurodivergent students, which includes students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dysgraphia. By promoting understanding, acceptance, and accommodations for all learners, you can cultivate a more inclusive and supportive educational setting where every student can thrive and can appreciate the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodiversity brings to your classroom.
image: shine-light.org
How Common is Autism?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today.
1 in 36
In 2019–2021, 4.66% of boys were diagnosed with ASD, compared to 1.50% of girls. In 2020, the prevalence of ASD was 3.8 times higher in boys than girls.
The two core symptoms of autism are challenges with social communication and interaction skills and restrictive and repetitive behaviors.
You may have students who...
Myth #1 All individuals with autism are the same.
Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it presents differently in each person. According to the American Psychiatric Association, autism is characterized by "deficits in social communication and interactions and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interst, or activities", yet individuals with autism have a wide range of strengths, challenges, and characteristics. Some people with autism can speak, while others are minimally verbal and communicate in other ways. Some have intellectual disabilities, while some do not. Some require significant support in their daily lives, while others need less support.
image: https://images.app.goo.gl/m2NDuwtzW97wWUNYA
Myth #2 People with autism lack empathy and cannot form relationships.
While it may be difficult for individuals with autism to navigate social relationships and to struggle with understanding and expressing emotion in typical ways, most people with autism are campable of empathy and desire meaningful relationships.
Image: https://images.app.goo.gl/nWKgY1PLsqbrskjv7
Myth #3 Autism is caused by vaccines.
There is no definitive cause of autism, although research sugggests a combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a role. The timing of an autism diagnosis might coincide with the recommended vaccine schedule for children and adolescents, but the idea that vaccines cause autism has been debunked by scientific evidence.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Vaccine-Studies-Examine-the-Evidence.aspx
The American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled a list of this research.
Myth #4 Students with autism cannot be successful in school or employment.
It is impossible to predict a student's success based solely on a disability label. With appropriate support and accommodations, individuals with autism excel in many areas, including academics and employment.
Image: https://images.app.goo.gl/VB5J7nvMom4aJgxY7
There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what he cannot do.
Dr. Temple Grandin
If they can't learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn.
Visual Supports Visual schedules, timers, and cues can help students with autism understand expectations and transitions.
Sensory Accommodations Noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools, and sensory breaks
Break Spaces Quiet or calming areas where students can take breaks when feeling overwhelmed
Positive Reinforcement Token economies or rewards for desired behaviors can motivate students and encourage positive engagement
Structured Routines Consistent routines and clear expectations can help students with autism feel more secure
Clear Communication Simple, concrete language and provide instructions in multiple formats
+ ifo
"To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater." -Bono
Do you have an idea?
With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to leave your audience speechless. You can also highlight a specific phrase or fact that will be etched in your audience's memory and even embed surprising external content: videos, photos, audios... Whatever you want!