| Autism is often misunderstood. Autism treatment, | | | | help autistic children communicate. When speech is |
| particularly in the areas of language and social skills, is | | | | achieved, visual aids may still be needed. If the child |
| extremely important and should be started early on to | | | | gets frustrated or just can't put what needs to be said |
| help increase the chances of developing language and | | | | into words pictures create an easy, less stressful way |
| social skills. With the mainstreaming of classrooms, it is | | | | to communicate. |
| important to make a few special adjustments for | | | | Another way to help increase communication skills is |
| autistic students. Autism treatment doesn't require | | | | to pay attention to what is said. Autistic children often |
| drastic changes to be made. In fact, changes are | | | | have episodes of echolalia, a form of repetitive |
| usually not a good thing when it comes to working with | | | | speech. Most of the time a repeated phrase has been |
| autistic children. | | | | related to something and it is what is easily said, |
| A set routine where the child knows what to expect | | | | although it is not necessarily what the child is trying to |
| next is an important part of autism treatment. Changes | | | | tell you. It becomes your job to figure out what those |
| are difficult to process and can cause increased | | | | words mean. Perhaps it is the feelings that are evoked |
| anxiety and even behavioral outbursts. Keeping a tight | | | | when they hear their favorite cartoon character say a |
| schedule will help the child to feel safe. | | | | phrase. Taking notes will help you to keep track of |
| If the classroom becomes chaotic, the autistic student | | | | what phrases are used in which context, and soon |
| may need to regroup in a safe, quiet setting. A time | | | | you should be able to see a pattern. |
| out area is made for this. This time-out area is not a | | | | When you are working with autism in the classroom |
| punishment, it is a place that the autistic child feels safe | | | | you need to watch for patterns the student has. |
| and is able to calm down and relax when their world | | | | These patterns may not mean anything to you or |
| has been turned upside down. | | | | even make any sense to you but they are important |
| Autistic children have impaired abilities when it comes | | | | to the child. If you want to assist the child to gain social |
| to social skills. This includes the ability to communicate | | | | skills as well as language, you need to encourage |
| effectively in many cases. An autistic child thinks quite | | | | speech. Starting with sign language is often helpful. |
| literally and doesn't always have a good command of | | | | Keeping a structured classroom and structure in the |
| language skills. Words do not necessarily come easily | | | | home environment is the most important element of |
| or even have meaning. While we are able to express | | | | autism treatment. Try not to get frustrated, because |
| our thoughts and feelings in words, an autistic child | | | | when you are frustrated the autistic child's frustration |
| thinks in a more concrete form; pictures/images | | | | will increase. If you need to you can take a time out. |
| express the thoughts and meanings that an autistic | | | | Use pictures and images when you can to help the |
| child experiences. | | | | child develop language. Positive reinforcement and |
| Pictures or note cards can be used as visual aids to | | | | praise go a long way when used in Autism treatment. |