Autism in the Classroom: Overcoming Challenges

• Cognitive Processing Delays. Processing delays should never be confused with intelligence.
• Sensory Perception Issues. Any of the senses can be involved.
• Social Skill Deficits.
• Expression Challenges.
• Motor Skill Challenges.

What are some learning challenges due to ASD?

5 Ways Autism Can Affect Learning

• Narrow Focus. Children with autism may be able to focus acutely on details but may lack the ability to pull back and see the big picture.
• Language Development Issues.
• Poor Nonverbal Skills.
• Narrow Interests.
• Attention Issues.

What educational barriers might a student with autism face?

There are a number of barriers to providing better and appropriate support to meet the educational needs of students with autism. These include: funding, lack of knowledge and training, lack of specialist support staff and time, lack of appropriate resourcing and class sizes.

How can autism affect education?

A poor classroom environment for autism can hugely disadvantage children with the condition. Most notably, it can cause them difficulty with engaging in learning activities and coping with daily life. What’s more is that these issues can have a lasting impact on them.

What are the three main difficulties of students with autism?

School activities that may be particularly challenging for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), previously referred to as Asperger’s Disorder, include social interactions, noisy or disordered environments, intense sensory stimulation, and changes in expected routines.

What are the challenges of autism?

Common Challenges

• social phobia.
• excessive worry/rumination.
• obsessive compulsive behaviour.
• hyper-vigilance, or seeming “shell shocked”
• phobias.
• avoidance behaviours.
• rigid routines and resistance to change.
• stimming and/or self-injurious behaviour.

How does autism affect literacy development?

Several studies by our research group and others have shown that children and adolescents with ASD are at risk for difficulties in the area of literacy. Some individuals with ASD show a particular strength in alphabet knowledge, including letter names and sounds, as well as reading words.

What are some of the difficulties experienced by students with ASD?

While every child with autism presents with unique needs and behaviors, it’s important for teachers to understand the general types of concerns they are likely to encounter.

• Cognitive Processing Delays.
• Sensory Perception Issues.
• Social Skill Deficits.
• Expression Challenges.
• Motor Skill Challenges.

What are some teaching strategies for autism?

Top Strategies for Teaching Autistic Students

• Avoid sensory overload. Students with autism can be distracted by unexpected things in their environment, such as bright lights, smells, and sounds.
• Use visuals.
• Be predictable.
• Use concrete language.
• Teach social skills directly.
• Treat students as individuals.

What are the primary challenges faced by college aged students with ASD?

Once in college, students with ASD face daunting social, emotional, independent-living, self-advocacy, and communication challenges both inside and outside of the classroom (Adreon & Durocher, 2007; Gobbo & Shmulsky, 2014).