Classroom interventions for children with ASD.
As a parent of a child with autism, it can be difficult to navigate the challenges of educational and schooling systems. From finding a supportive classroom environment to establishing effective learning strategies, there are many things to consider when it comes to providing your child with the best education possible. Don’t give up and know that you’re not alone. Especially for parents of children with a new diagnosis of ASD, navigating the educational system can be daunting, tiring, and/or just down right confusing. However, the efforts that you and your professional supports enact now will lead to significant benefits for your child that can snowball over time. Don’t forget to talk to your principal or classroom teacher about potential opportunities for government and other funding to support your child’s learning and development plan at school as well.
The first piece of advice is often to find a contact at your school (a classroom teacher, program developer, leadership staff member, or social worker) that is experienced in working with children with autism. If there isn’t someone like this available, sometimes parents look for special schools with education programs tailored towards support children with neurodiversity. Contacting different schools directly to enquire about their educational programs, discussing with your paediatrician or GP, and/or talking to other parents in the community can help you find educational supports in your local area. Don’t be afraid to advocate for your child’s needs and seek professional support from your healthcare providers when enquiring at your school or with a new school - often joint meetings can be arranged with support workers, teachers, healthcare workers, and parents.
Once you have found the right classroom and teaching environment, it is important to create an individualised education plan (IEP) for your child with the help of your healthcare workers and the teachers or principal at your child’s school. This will help to ensure that your child’s needs are being met and that they are getting the support that they need to be successful in the classroom. Sometimes these plans can be used to highlight monetary funding needs for the school or your family. Finally, it is important to establish classroom strategies and learning strategies that will help your child succeed. This can include providing visual supports, such as pictures or objects, or utilising social stories or other strategies to help your child understand the expectations of the classroom. It is also important to create a consistent routine that your child can rely on, as well as providing structure and positive reinforcement for desired behaviors.
Providing your child with the best education possible can be challenging, but with the right strategies and support, it can be done. By taking the time to find a supportive classroom environment and implementing effective learning strategies, you can ensure that your child has the best chance of succeeding in the classroom.