Part 2 - 10 Easy Ways to Help ASD/Asperger Students Succeed

10 Easy Ways to Help ASD/Asperger Students Succeed

By Sherri Caldwell, Asperger's Parent, Author and Learning Coach
See Part 1 - Helping Students With ASD/Asperger's Succeed

1. ASD kids respond to positive reinforcement and calm re-direction, non-verbal cues as much as possible. The student will be more successful if seated near the teacher and away from distractions, where he can be quietly re-focused or re-directed through proximity, touch or a signal.
   
   
2. Silent signal/understanding when a break is needed – designated safe place and person(s) to visit when necessary.
   
   
3. Sarcasm, humiliation, shame, anger and physical restraint are counter-productive and will escalate a meltdown.
   
   
4. Transitions and unstructured time can be difficult, especially if sensory overload (noise & confusion of cafeteria, hallway, etc.). ASD kids need structure. Use written schedules, early warnings & time to transition.
   
   
5. Offer clear, limited choices and clear consequences: “When you (behavior/task)...then (consequence/reward).”
   
   
6. Break things down to one clear and specific instruction at a time. Written directions or checklists are helpful (also maps), if they are not overly complicated. Aspies will forget a long list of verbal instructions and get easily distracted and off-track, which leads to everyone’s frustration.
   
   
7. Allow movement in/around classroom without distracting other students. Be sensitive to sensory needs and challenges. Aspies can be quirky, but there is usually a method to their madness, so to speak. Repetitive movement or behaviors (often called “stimming”) are self-calming and should be accommodated (ignored), whenever possible, or re-directed, if necessary.
   
   
8. Use purposeful missions – jobs, tasks, assignments, responsibilities, especially making use of special skills, talents and interests. (Chances are, your Aspie student will be able to help you and other students with computer and IT issues!)
   
   
9. Ignore minor emotional outbursts (verbal). Initial response to anything/everything is NO due to anxiety; calmly move forward. Student will usually go right along after initial verbal outburst.
   
   
10. Be direct: “You are (making me happy/sad, helping me, annoying me, making me angry, etc.) because (specific reason or example).” Aspies don’t generally read facial expressions and they are not very good at subtlety. Let them know what you are feeling, help them identify emotional states and the reasons. Adults must stay calm, supportive and positive to be most effective.
    
    Sherri Caldwell is an amateur Asperger’s expert, with extensive personal experience as a parent, researcher, writer and teacher with an Asperger’s son diagnosed at age 9. For more information, contact Sherri@rebelhousewife.com.