What are the challenges of teaching an autistic child?

Question

Lets say there is one autistic child in a class room of non-autistic children. What challenges will the teacher face as she attempts to teach the class as a whole?

Answer 1

Getting him/her to focus

Getting him/her to be with the class and not stuck on a routine.

Getting him/her to talk and communicate.

Getting her/her friends because him/her lacks socialization.

Teaching him/her to give good eye contact because many lack it.

Teaching him/her to have some emotions many times they don't show love very well due to the part of their disability of autism.

Getting him/her at grade level. Some subjects they'll be way above grade level, especially if it's a topic that interests him/her.   Many subjects that aren't as interesting and boring will usually have the person below grade level.

An autistic child can be on the same topic whether it's interesting or not for a really long time.

Routines they love having routines while there is no changes to the day.

Getting him/her to expand themselves.  Many times they see things black and white.

Many things bother them.

They can worry a lot like myself.

etc.  all I can think of at this moment but I'm sure there is more to the characteristic when one has autism.

Last but not least good luck.

Answer 2

First Steps if teaching an autistic child

If you think you have an autistic child in your classroom, these are the first steps if teaching autistic child. ... Each year will bring new challenges. ...

www.thespeciallife.com/first-steps-if-... - Cached

Autism symptoms checklist | autistic characteristics

How to teach your Autistic Child. FREE sample download of e-book containing tips for parents and teachers about educating children with Autism guaranteed to get you ...

www.teaching-children-with-autism.com - 84k - Cached

How To Teach Your Autistic Child To Potty-Train - The Labor of Love ...

Teaching a toddler to potty train is a challenge, but teaching a special needs child to potty train can have its own set of challenges as well. Autistic children ...

thelaboroflove.com/.../how-to-teach-yo... - Cached

Some Ideas For Teaching Autistic Children

It's true that teaching an autistic child can be difficult. But it is not impossible. ... Challenges Of Introducing High Tech Learning Systems Into Our Schools ...

ezinearticles.com/?Some-Ideas-For-Teac... - 52k - Cached

Teaching Autistic Children - Associated Content

Check out Teaching Autistic Children - Submitted by Jamie Austin at ... The Unique Challenges of Teaching Children with Hearing or Visual Disabilities ...

associatedcontent.com/article/748399/t... - Cached

Answer 3

THere are many challenges for teaching this particular child. One of the first things I will suggest is that you take a course in special ed. children with emphasis on the autistic child. We are now finding more and more children who have this behavioral disorder in our classrooms. I know of a school that has two classrooms of autistic children.

The challenges - staying on a strict schedule with this child is mandatory. Any changes in schedule you will have to prepare this child ahead of time. If you don't you will have a child who can't handle what is coming up.

Don't change anything without preparing him/her first.

You must be consistent with this child.

Different teaching? Somewhat. Talk to your spec. ed. teachers and get more info and how to deal with autistic children.

Knowledge is a GREAT thing!

Good luck to you. You'll do well as you are concerned about all your students - not just one or two.

Answer 4

i think it depends on what kind of autism the person has. there are "idiot savants" who will have no problem with learning it, although they will struggle socially if you try to integrate a social exercise in your class. there are also autistics who are very distracted, by things like bright colors. they would most likely be in a special class.

and YES THERE IS SUCH A THING AS AN IDIOT SAVANT. look it up.

Answer 5

I think you've received a lot of good possible answers. It's difficult to say because each child with autism is so different. I just wanted to share some links about autism and inclusion that might help you:

http://www.positivelyautism.com/volume2i...

http://www.paulakluth.com/autism.html

http://www.ellennotbohm.com/ten_things_a...

http://www.autism.org/temple/tips.html

Answer 6

Well if the child is in a regular class, then he/she probably only has mild autism, and won't be too difficult to teach.

Autistic children generally learn best when given rules to follow like how to communicate with people or do activities.  It is good to find out what rules the child knows so you know what to expect from him and how to interact with him.  

It might be difficult to get the kid to participate, so the best thing, I think, would be just to let him do his own thing, leaving him alone for the most part.  Just teach normally, but ask him periodically (maybe just after class ends) if he has any problems or questions.  

If they put an autistic child in a class with non autistic kids, shouldn't the give training/info so the teacher knows what to expect? Just wondering...

Answer 7

well i go through the same thing i teach a Sunday school class with one autistic child...just pay more attention to the one kid and watch out for mood swings! just be prepared...

Answer 8

possible disruptions

the child will need some sort of schedule that shows what is happening and when, each child is different so talk to the main care providers about that.

Another thing that may be difficult is if the child refuses to participate or can't participate in an activity you will have to find some alternate activity for them thus taking attention away from the rest of the class. There is so much more I could go on about but I strongly suggest that if you or someone you know is in this situation you read up on how to teach children with autism.

Answer 9

Lack of participation, not wanting to be in groups, no eye contact. You either may have to slow down for that child or speed up because they may excel at a certain subject, like math. Try to give them something creative to do. I used to take care of an autistic little boy who would get a standard sheet of paper and tear off the border and make things out of the paper. He would make dinosaurs, alligators, cartoon characters. Its incredible. Autistic children are amazing. I would also like to add that that person is an ignorant fool. There is no such thing as an IDIOT savant. They are called artistic savants.

Answer 10

Really its just having to deal with disruptions that happen majority of the time. The child may not get along with the others students, or the child may overreact in a situation where they feel uncomfortable. There could be lack of particapation, confusion, and other situations where the kid can be a big disruption. You need to pay attention to the child a lot. What you should do is send the autistic child to a special class part time during school hours. Set up a schedule for kid, so they know where to go at certain times. Its a big responsibilty, but I think it can be accomplished.

Answer 11

I am the mom of two autistic children. My boys aren't typical as they are moderate to severe and severe. They are in self contained classrooms b/c of this and this has worked out better for them. The classes are smaller and individual attention is key for them and they get it.

But, if you have an autistic child in your classroom, normally, there is an aid assigned to the child by the school board who goes to classes with them and stays with them all day to keep them on task. We tried this with our boys and it just didn't work because they became overloaded emotionally being around so many different children and the noise levels.

It also depends the level of the autism spectrum the child falls in.

Aspergers autistic children fair better in traditional classroom settings because they only lack 'normal' social skills but have a learning level of an average child their age.

Just keep in mind that if the child is overly stimulated by noise, light, sounds such as a clock ticking can be tuned out by the average person, but it's intensified by an autistic child like nails on a chalkboard.

Take it slow with the child and give him or her extra time to finish an assignment and don't treat them any differently than any other child. They may not communicate the way the other kids do, but they have feelings and know when people are getting exasperated with them.

Bless you for taking on this challenge. Not many people can handle it, and you should be commended for trying.