Help! How do you teach social skills to an autistic child?

Question

This child has autism, and he is non-verbal for the most part. He says some words here and there, but comprehension is not very strong. How to I teach him to listen? He will often ignore me asking him to finish his work. He loses focus easily during school work related tasks. He's 10 years old but obviously developmentally delayed. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Try to find out what he likes doing best.

My kids here in school relate best to computer aided activities. I usually present some concepts on my theme using powerpoint presenations with some animations and music. Sometimes, we play online games related to our activity.

Establish a workable routine.

In our school, we have a short freeplay period. They are trained to get their things and sit for 20 minutes or more doing their fine motor activities- they write their name, cut along lines, color a page of their colroing book, do beads, answer wipe out books on numbers and letters before they are all called for a circle time or whole group activity.

If non-compliant, train them to answer you when you ask: Marcus, do you want to do this? (if he insists on getting a toy instead of his assigned tasks) I will give it to you after you finish this. Be clear and firm so they will comply. If they comply, give them the reward you promised.

Always open the opportunuity to talk and label thinsga nd events verbally. If student is jumping around or stares in space: Oh, do you like to jump? Say yes (child should answer yes) We'll do that later in our dance but now its time to listen with our (let them answer ears as you point to your ears) (for story time).

Use picture clues or realia as much as possible to get their attention. Involve them in stories by asking each to point, name, count, repeat certain words or picture in each page.

I know this task is very challenging to us, but the rewards are very priceless as you see them follwoing you, or saying words aloud or even just looking at you in the eye. Be patient, they will learn slowly but definitely, they will learn from you.

Answer 2

I would first recommend ABA therapy.  Beginning at the very basic level, ABA can increase attention, skills, comprehension and compliance.  

Check out this site:

http://www.behavior.org/autism/

Also, not sure of this child's abilities, but I would also check into social stories and visual scheduling.  If he is non verbal, try using PEC and/or signing.

Answer 3

People with autism sometimes do not have direct eye-contact.  This can sometimes be mistaken for not listening or paying attention when in fact most times they are listening and paying attention.  If you are concluding that he's ignoring you by his lack of eye contact.. that may not be the case.  He may very well be taking everything in.    

I would suggest to 1)  continue to re-direct him back to his work if he starts to get off task and 2) work in short increments of time.  Start with 5-10 minutes and work on expanding the time he's able to stay on task.

Answer 4

Develop a system for checking his understanding.

If he understands your instructions he should give you a red card, if he doesn't understand he should hand you the blue card.

With autistic children you must give, very consistent, concrete instructions. You should not use any slang and you should make sure that what you asked is in the simplest, clearest format.

I would encourage you to play games with the child. Tick tack toe or card games are one of the best ways to help autistic children learn social cues.

Develop another card that's the happy card. If the child is happy he should hand you the green card to know that his day was good.