Strategies for Including Students with Autism in the Elementary School

Classroom

Presented by Sarah Lanzo

Tara Herlihy and Jenette Leonard

What is Autism?

What is Autism?

Delayed or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas:– Social Interaction– Communication – delayed language– Patterns of behavior (e.g., restricted, repetitive,

stereotyped), interests, and activities

What is Autism?

Today, it is generally agreed that Autism should be viewed as a spectrum disorder. Symptoms can occur in many varieties and varying degrees of intensity.

No two individuals with Autism present in the same way.

In addition to Autism, several other diagnoses are considered to fall under the Autism Spectrum. These include:

High Functioning Autism (HFA) Asperger’s Syndrome Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS)

High Functioning Autism (HFA)

– Meets all criteria for Autism– To qualify as “high functioning” a child’s

full scale IQ must be 70 or higher– Not recognized in the DSM-IV-TR

Asperger’s Syndrome

– These students typically experience communication differences, struggle with change and transitions, and have intense and absorbing interests.

– No significant delay in language– These students may go undiagnosed for

years, and may be viewed as “quirky” or “eccentric”

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS)

– This label is often given to students who have “Autistic-like” characteristics, but do not meet the DSM-IV-TR criteria for Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome

– These students have learning, communication, behavioral, or other differences and need similar supports to those with more formal diagnoses.

Common Characteristics:

It is important to remember that no two students with Autism look, behave, communicate or learn in the same way. However, there are some general characteristics that many children with Autism share.

Common Characteristics:

Movement Differences– Rocking, flapping, pacing, etc…– Can appear clumsy or awkward– Poor fine or gross motor skills

Sensory Differences– Difficulty maintaining or switching arousal states– Hearing– Touch– Smell– Sight– Taste

Common Characteristics:

Communication Differences– Some students have limited or no spoken

words– Unusual speech intonations– Repetitive speech (echoing the words of

others)– Expressive communication difficulties– Receptive communication difficulties

Common Characteristics

Socialization and Interaction Differences– Some students have little or no desire for social

interaction with peers– Others have a strong desire for friendships but

lack the skills necessary for successful social interaction

– Attempts at social interaction may be misunderstood or misinterpreted

Common Characteristics:

Learning Differences– Processing difficulties– Decreased memory– May require “non-traditional” ways of showing what

they know Interests or Fascinations

– Many have a deep interest in one or a variety of topics– May need favorite materials, activities, behaviors and

interest areas to relax, focus, or make connections with others

Types of Accommodations for students with Autism within the General Education Classroom

Academic Accommodations:

A structured environment Visual Schedule (classroom or individual) Give transition warnings (5 minutes until…)

*timer can be used on the Smartboard for class to see

Visual Aides/manipulatives to support instruction*you are already doing this with Smartboard lessons

Increased time for processing and responding Break down directions/tasks into smaller steps or

chunks

Academic Accommodations

First, Then board

Academic Accommodations:

Extra time to complete assignments Organizational strategies such as graphic

organizers, charts, check lists, etc. A scribe when the assignment is subject

based not writing OR a printed copy of notes from the Smartboard.

Academic Accommodations:

Most of our students on the Autism Spectrum have far better decoding skills than comprehension skills. Just because students can decode the text does not mean they are comprehending what they read.

Comprehension Checks should:-limit open ended questions-give choices for answers to questions asked (ex.

Did the character feel excited or annoyed?)-realize that they are getting the black and white, but they need to be taught the grey. -assist students in understanding what is implied by the author

Social/Emotional Accommodations:

Sensory breaks such as running errands, climbing structure, seat cushions, swings at recess or a quiet area if they are over-stimulated.– Sensory diets should be overseen by professional

such as Occupational therapist.

Social/Emotional Accommodations:

Errands to be done with a partner to provide a social opportunity

Insert breaks during natural transition times OR at designated times throughout the day. (This will be what works best for the child and the classroom he or she is a part of.)

Pacing in the back of class may allow a child an easy sensory break.

Gum/candy to chew/suck on

Social/Emotional Accommodations:

At Recess:– Have a class Recess Bucket OR students can

bring in a recess bag. In order to use a toy from the recess bag, you must play with the student the bag belongs to.

– The recess rule: “First you must play____ with a friend, then you may use the swing.”

– Provide printed sheets of easy to follow directions for recess games.

Today at recess…

I will play with ________________.

We will play _________________.

First I need to play with my friend for 5 minutes, then I can use the swing.

Recess Games: Example #1

Scrambled Eggs

Use 4 cones to mark you egg area. Choose one child to call out Egg Commands. Egg Commands: -Scrambled Eggs: students travel according to how they Are instructed; run, skip, hop, walk, Tip-toe. -Hard Boiled Eggs: students curl up in a ball on the ground And stay completely silent -Soft Boiled Eggs: students lie on their stomachs putting moving arms and legs -Fried Eggs: students lie on their backs putting arms and Legs up in the air and shake them

Recess Games: Example #2

Shipwreck Use 4 cones to create you ship area. Choose a captain. Each captain may call out 5 orders, and then it is time to

find a new captain. Remember, TAKE TURNS!! Captain Orders: -Captain’s Comin’: children must salute the captain -Hit the Deck: children get on the bellies Jellyfish: children make fin shape over heads and swim To the middle of the boat Shark Attack: children make fin shape over their heads And swim to the middle of the boat. -1 Man in Boat: children sit on the ground pretending to Row boat and sing, Row, Row,

Row your boat

Social/Emotional Accommodations:

Use of social stories or scripts during social situations, transitions, changes in routine, field trips, assemblies, fire drills, asking for help, etc.

Positive peer models: use buddies for recess Frequent and Specific Positive reinforcement

Social Story Examples

Asking for Help Sometimes I do not know what I need to do. This is ok. No one knows what to do all the time. When this happens I should ask my teacher or

another adult for help. That is the right thing to do. My teacher will be

so happy to help me. It will help me understand what I need to do. I am so happy that I know how to ask for help.

This will make me a very successful student.

Social Story Examples

Our Field Trip On Friday my third grade class is going on a field trip. It will be fun. When I get to school in the morning I will not do morning work. I will get on a bus with my friends and teachers and ride to Plimoth

Plantation. I will do a scavenger hunt at Plimoth Plantation. Ms. Ash will help me. I will eat my lunch at Plimoth Plantation. Ms. Ash will bring me a meatball

sub for lunch I will have a quiet voice and a quiet body. When the field trip is over, I will get back on the bus with my friends and

teachers and ride back to school. My teachers will be proud of me if I have a quiet voice and quiet body on

the field trip. On Friday my third grade class is going on a field trip. It will be fun.

Social Story Examples

Fire Drills Sometimes we have fire drills at school. They help us

practice. It is just practice, there is NO fire. I am okay. I am safe. I will stay in class with my friends until I hear the fire alarm

ring. When I hear the fire alarm I will go outside with my class. I will walk slowly. I will not talk. I will be okay. It is just practice.

Social Story Examples

Time to Go Home The end of the day is fun. I am happy that it is time

to go home! There are 9 children that take the bus. We all really love to be the line leader, but it is not

possible for all of us to be the line leader each day.

We are going to have a new RULE in the DLC. The teacher will decide each day who will be line

leader.

Strategies for Behavior Prevention and Management

Functions of Behavior & Strategies for Behavior Prevention and Management

Functions of Behavior

All behaviors have a function or reason (some have more than one).

In order to change a behavior, you first need to find the function of the behavior (why the student is displaying it).

There are four main functions of behavior: Tangible, Escape, Attention, and Sensory.

Tangible

The student is displaying the behavior in order to get something tangible.

For example they want the blue marker but were given the red marker. They may start yelling or crying when they do not get the blue marker

Giving the student the blue marker when acting inappropriately REINFORCES their behavior.

Escape

The student is displaying this behavior in order to get out of doing something.

For example, the student may cry or yell during writing in order to not complete the task.

Allowing the student to not complete the work only REINFORCES their behavior.

Attention

A student displays a behavior in order to get attention (positive or negative) from someone.

For example, the student may make noises to get his peers to laugh or to get spoken to by the teacher.

Giving that student attention (positive or negative) only REINFORCES the behavior. As hard as it is, IGNORE the behavior.

Sensory

The student displays the behavior because it fulfills their sensory needs.

For example, a student may flap their hands or make noises because it fulfills their sensory needs.

Behaviors due to Sensory needs are the most difficult to decrease.

Find a more appropriate behavior that can also fulfill the same sensory need.

Functions of Behavior

With any problem behavior you will need to identify:

Antecedant

Behavior

Consequence

A-A-B-C Chart

Student: Target Behavior: Classroom: Per occurrence of target behavior, complete antecedent/stimulus events section (immediate) by indentifying all immediate events or predictors that may have contributed to the behavior (including student/teacher ratio, other student’s behavior, level of demand, location of staff, staff’s experience with student, environmental noise, changes in routine, changes in learning style. Mood of student, current health factors, changes in the environment, termination of activities…). Complete antecedent/setting events (distant) section by identifying all distant antecedents that may have contributed to the behavior (sleep/eating patterns, health status, upcoming events or activities, family status…). Complete behavior section by clearly identifying the topography, frequency, duration, and intensity. Complete consequence section by identifying exactly what occurred after the behavior.

Date/Time/location

Antecedent/Stimulus Events (Distant Antecedent)

Antecedent/Setting Events (Immediate Antecedents)

Behavior Consequences

4/1/10 12:52 pm In classroom sitting at his desk

Given five minute warning that centers were ending. Given two minute warning and one minute warning. At his favorite center (trick words on alpha smart). Cleaned everything up when ended and sat back at desk.

Told to take out his journal for writing. Was given the writing prompt “what did you do this weekend?”

Refused to do his writing. Began to get frustrated and talk loudly Began to rip up paper, yell, and scream

Asked if he needs help. He state “NO!” Asked to have a quiet voice or would have to leave the class. Asked to leave the classroom but did not have to complete assignment

Behavior Plan

Once you have recognized the function(s) of the behavior, you can develop an appropriate plan to decrease or increase the behavior.

The plan should be the opposite of the behavior. For example, if the function is attention the plan should involve ignoring and not giving the student attention for the behavior.

Try to recognize the antecedent before the behavior escalates.

There should be more positive reinforcement than punishment…even on the worst of days.

Behavior Plan

Consistency is KEY. Everyone working with the child need to be on the same page.

Have a GO person or leader to call the shots. Everyone else involved should follow. The leader should be established prior to any behaviors.

Be warned….the behavior will get worse before it gets better!

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Social/Emotional Accommodations

Behavioral Intervention Plan (i.e. Token Systems) Start off with quick reinforcement. As they become

successful and understand the plan, begin to spread it out.

If possible, have the student own it. Be sure to be explicit about why they earned the

token. For example, “nice job having a quiet voice. Give yourself one token.”

Social/Emotion Accommodations

Social/Emotional Accommodations

Strategies for Behavior Prevention and Management

Structure is Essential– Predictability, consistency, and reliability are important

Identify HIGH-RISK SITUATIONS, over-stimulating, situations in advance (these may include class parties, assemblies, field trips or any change in routine) and plan ahead for them

TRANSITIONS can be tough for students with autism spectrum disorders. Possible strategies for transitioning include:

– Give advanced warning– Use a timer– Rehearse the transition

Strategies for Behavior Prevention and Management:

Use CLEAR, CONCISE language Be aware of TONE OF VOICE:

– Kids react negatively to preachy, angry, whiny, pleading, infantilizing, moralistic, over-dramatic, loud, pushy, sarcastic tone of voice.

– Kids react positively to bright, friendly, gentle, firm, humorous, simple, neutral, sing-song tone of voice.

Represent things VISUALLY whenever possible.– Provide visual cues for behavioral expectations

References:

Kluth, Paula Ph.D. “Your going to Love This Kid,” Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom. Baltimore, 2003.