Accommodations for school, and strategies for teachers
Accommodations: Should be individualized for every student.
- Provide a predictable schedule.
- Maintain a safe environment, where other students are not a distraction or problem.
- Make a few transitions as possible, eliminating unnecessary movement.
- Prepare the student for any changes in routine.
- Use cooperative learning groups which can help social skills, also allowing the student to show the abilities they do have.
- Always use POSITIVE reinforcement.
- Set firm expectations and stick to them.
- Break assignments into small sections as to not overwhelm the student.
- Include in oral Q&A.
- Have a cue that you and the student have created that they can understand as to redirect their attention.
- Visual instruction is very necessary, especially with younger ages.
- Give more time if needed.
- In some cases, having a "crisis plan" in place is necessary. This is so when the student can't cope with their struggles to interact with their peers, they can go somewhere to calm down.
- Use visual schedule and activities.
- Assign students to groups
- provide concrete examples
- Use hands-on activities
- Avoid idioms, irony, sarcasm.
- Give students enough time to process.
- Keep verbal instructions short.
- Be clear and firm about behavior.
- Offer practice tests that will show what the questions will be like.
- Provide study guides that reflect the format and material on the test.
- Potentially allow extended time for tests.
- Allow for testing in a quiet room.
- If they have a particular interest, try to include that interest in class, or at least for a special project.
- Use small groups/pairs so that a person with Asperger syndrome can have social interaction.
- Discrete Trial Training
- Behavior Plan