As a teacher, what can you do in your classroom to be more inclusive for students with Asperger's?
1. Establish a routine whenever possible.
Example: Terms or vocabulary are part of a clear list and have the same expectations for
completion each day or week.
2. Make your transitions clear and expected.
Example: Create a schedule for your student so that he/she knows what to expect during the class and what topics will be covered in your lessons. Giving your student a hard copy of a daily or weekly schedule helps your student remain aware of the upcoming classes in addition to functioning as a visual aid for learning.
3. Be an inclusive teacher who meets his or her students where they are.
Example: If you have a student with Asperger's, taking the time to learn about that student's particular interests can foster a better bond between the student and teacher and can make you aware of topics in your lessons that may spark an interest with your student.
Research Autism has a six step plan for educators:
1. Learn the basics of Asperger's Syndrome.
2. Make yourself available to parents and guardians.
3. Ready your room.
4. Create an classroom environment which promotes friendship.
5. Be present in your student's educational goals.
6. Be in tune with your student.
Interventions and Differentiation:
1. Prime your student with a preview.
When starting new information in your classroom, provide your student with a visual, timeline, or schedule of the information that is going to be covered. This will make the student aware of the new information that will be covered in the upcoming lessons.
2. Provide visuals.
The use of pictures or videos when teaching a lesson can be beneficial to a student with Asperger's because he/she can see a demonstration of a concept. Visuals also include the provision of lecture outlines, class expectations, and a schedule of information to be covered during the lessons of a unit. A hard copy of these items can help a student visualize what is expected of them and what is most important in each lesson.
3. Give your student some space.
A student with Asperger's may benefit from having an area in your classroom which is his/hers. This space can be used by a student to complete their work or to preview material. This space is one which is free from distractions and can serve as a comfort zone where a student receives positive, calming reinforcement. This space is not a punishment place or one that secludes the student from others.
4. Make room for your student to have make choices in your classroom.
Giving your student a choice in activities is an effective method for differentiation of instruction and can help a student with Asperger's feel in control of his/her learning. A student with Asperger's will be expected to complete their assignments, but this differentiation strategy can succeed if a teacher provides a student with various options for methods of completing an assignment, and then the student choose what suits him/her.
1. Learn the basics of Asperger's Syndrome.
2. Make yourself available to parents and guardians.
3. Ready your room.
4. Create an classroom environment which promotes friendship.
5. Be present in your student's educational goals.
6. Be in tune with your student.
Interventions and Differentiation:
1. Prime your student with a preview.
When starting new information in your classroom, provide your student with a visual, timeline, or schedule of the information that is going to be covered. This will make the student aware of the new information that will be covered in the upcoming lessons.
2. Provide visuals.
The use of pictures or videos when teaching a lesson can be beneficial to a student with Asperger's because he/she can see a demonstration of a concept. Visuals also include the provision of lecture outlines, class expectations, and a schedule of information to be covered during the lessons of a unit. A hard copy of these items can help a student visualize what is expected of them and what is most important in each lesson.
3. Give your student some space.
A student with Asperger's may benefit from having an area in your classroom which is his/hers. This space can be used by a student to complete their work or to preview material. This space is one which is free from distractions and can serve as a comfort zone where a student receives positive, calming reinforcement. This space is not a punishment place or one that secludes the student from others.
4. Make room for your student to have make choices in your classroom.
Giving your student a choice in activities is an effective method for differentiation of instruction and can help a student with Asperger's feel in control of his/her learning. A student with Asperger's will be expected to complete their assignments, but this differentiation strategy can succeed if a teacher provides a student with various options for methods of completing an assignment, and then the student choose what suits him/her.
Accommodations:
Some of the common accommodations for a student with Asperger's Syndrome include:
Students with Asperger's may have difficulty with handwriting assignments. You can accommodate this by having a student type or orally record their responses. Alternatively, they can focus on handwriting the main idea of a topic, rather than every detail.
Students with Asperger's often struggle with homework assignments after a long, grueling day at school. You can work with this student to meet his/her individual needs by creating a homework plan where amount of time spent, the amount of work expected, and/or the details of the assignment are adapted to suit your student.
Research Autism. (2012, November 8). Life journey through Autism: An Educator's guide. http://www.researchautism.org/resources/OAR_Guide_Asperger.pdf
Some of the common accommodations for a student with Asperger's Syndrome include:
- Modifying the handwritten requirements for a class.
Students with Asperger's may have difficulty with handwriting assignments. You can accommodate this by having a student type or orally record their responses. Alternatively, they can focus on handwriting the main idea of a topic, rather than every detail.
- Create a homework plan based on your individual student.
Students with Asperger's often struggle with homework assignments after a long, grueling day at school. You can work with this student to meet his/her individual needs by creating a homework plan where amount of time spent, the amount of work expected, and/or the details of the assignment are adapted to suit your student.
Research Autism. (2012, November 8). Life journey through Autism: An Educator's guide. http://www.researchautism.org/resources/OAR_Guide_Asperger.pdf