Blogs As the saying goes: if you’ve met one student on the autism spectrum, you’ve met one student on the autism spectrum. Each autistic child brings a different combination of strengths, interests, communication styles, sensory needs, and challenges to the classroom. That means there isn’t one perfect strategy to support students on the spectrum, but plenty of small things we can do to make school feel more predictable, enjoyable, and manageable.
Our course, 5435: Practical Approaches for Students on the Autism Spectrum takes a look at how to support autistic students, beginning with the qualities we bring to our interactions with students each day. Patience, kindness, flexibility, and a willingness to be curious can be critical to supporting autistic kids. That last one, curiosity, makes the difference between a simple interaction and a positive experience.
Everyday Challenges
Consider a student who isn’t getting started with their work, responding to a question, joining a group, or transitioning when asked. The game changer is this: instead of assuming a student won’t do something, get curious about whether they can’t do it yet, or whether there’s a barrier getting in the way. In those cases, a visual schedule, clear routine, checklist, advance notice of a change, or a few extra minutes to process directions may be just what that student needs.
Overwhelm
It also helps to use curiosity to see the school day through a student’s eyes. Noisy hallways, bright lights, changing schedules, group work, social expectations, transitions, and unexpected moments can be overwhelming for a student on the autism spectrum. Stay curious about what they may be feeling or needing. Offer different ways to communicate and participate, allow extra processing time, learn about their interests, and notice their strengths. Progress may not happen quickly or in a straight line, but patience and encouragement can help students build confidence as they grow.
Behavior
Finally, when a challenging behavior occurs, start with compassion and curiosity. Before you react, take a moment to get curious about what the behavior might be telling you. Is the student anxious? Overwhelmed by sensory input? Struggling with an executive functioning skill? Having difficulty communicating what they need? After the moment has passed, talk with the student and listen to their perspective. Remember to reach out to families and caregivers- they might be able to coach you to understand what a student may be experiencing and what has helped in the past.
Sometimes the best strategy we can offer a student is an adult who takes the time to be curious about what they see in the moment. You won’t always get it right, and neither will your students. What matters is continuing to show up with kindness, patience, empathy, and a healthy dose of curiosity.
About the Author
Betsy Butler (she/her) is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in English, a Master’s in Education, and has been teaching since 1992. Betsy uses her three decades of teaching experience to write and revise our courses while selecting the perfect accompanying texts. Her specialty areas include ELA, special education topics, behavior management, and mental health.
Fun Fact: Betsy’s daily conquest is solving the New York Times crossword puzzle!
