1. Autism and the General Education Classroom
Shane Lynch, PhD
Director of Southern Services
Centre for Autism Services Alberta
October 17, 2015

2. ASD & Education Agenda Introduction What is Autism?
How does Autism impact learning?
Strategies for promoting student learning
Discussion

3. What is this thing we call autism?*
Social Communication
Behavior
Autism
*DSM-5 (2013)

4. ASD & Education Examples What is the plot of your favorite movie?
Tell me what you had for lunch.
Describe how to make a PB&J.
Plot while I stare without blinking, too close, smell hair.
Lunch once; then again without using a particular letter.
Describe how to make a PB&J without gestures or eye contact.

5. Autism: Social Communication
Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction:
Difference
Classroom Example
Failure of, or abnormal, back-and-forth conversation; reduced sharing of interests, emotions, or affect; failure to initiate or respond to social interactions
conversation is not social, rather information exchange (tells you about their likes).
does not seek you out to share their success.
may not respond to your greeting or initiate one to you.
Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction
inappropriate use of eye contact (not looking when you are talking, not for social purposes).
lack of facial expressions, gestures when talking.
Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships
difficulty adjusting behavior to suit context (not quiet in the library, talking about someone in their presence).
difficulty with abstract or imaginative language and interactions (friendships, imaginative play).

6. Autism: Behavior
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities:
Difference
Classroom Example
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech
lining up materials and visual inspection.
echolalia, repetitive phrases or questioning.
repetitive movements (e.g., flapping).
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns or verbal nonverbal behavior
must sit in same seat, be first in line.
difficulty transitioning between activities (gym to math).
difficulty with changes in routine (substitute teacher).
Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus 
REALLY likes unusual objects (e.g., string).
hyper focused on particular interest (e.g., ferry schedule).
limited range of socially/age appropriate interests.
Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment 
does not like to be touched.
the sounds in the gym cause distress.
interested in the smell of materials.
stares at lights, the trees blowing in the wind.

7. Autism: Highly Variable
Why are students with ASD so different?
Difference
Range
Social conversation skills; sharing of interests, emotions, or affect
Low High
Nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction
Developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships
Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns or verbal nonverbal behavior
Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus 
Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input, interest, and the environment 

8. What skills are necessary for success in the classroom?
ASD & Education
Let’s Summarize…
Students with ASD may have difficulties with:
the ability to sit still and listen,
to show you that they are paying attention,
to process abstract language,
to regulate their behavior,
to interact with others appropriately,
to shift between tasks quickly,
being motivated by you
What skills are necessary for success in the classroom?

9. ASD & Education
Let’s count the ways things can go wrong…

10. ASD & Education

11. ‘You'd better pull your socks up!’
‘I’m on top of the world!’
‘You'd better pull your socks up!’
‘You’ve got the devil in you today’
‘You’ve got the devil in you today’
‘Could you keep your eye out for dad’
‘Could you keep your eye out for dad’
‘If you don’t stop doing that you’ll be in hot water!
‘If you don’t stop doing that you’ll be in hot water!
‘It’s on the tip of my tongue’
‘It’s on the tip of my tongue’
‘I’m tied up at the moment’
‘I’m tied up at the moment’
‘It’s raining cats and dogs’
‘It’s raining cats and dogs’
‘Now we are going to toast the bride and groom’
‘Now we are going to toast the bride and groom’

12. ASD & Education

13. ASD & Education

14. does not know / understand rules
poor concept of time
changes in routine
does not know / understand rules
unsure what is going to happen
anxious about failure
STRESS
difficulties with communication
sensory difficulties
literal interpretation of situation

15. ASD & Education Promoting Success in the Classroom
Clear performance expectations
Visual schedules
First/Then
Concrete language
How much must be completed
Model the correct response
Make sure that rewards are reinforcing

16. ASD & Education Visual Schedules
Used to help students understand expectations.
Students can refer to them as needed.
Offers structure and routine.

17. ASD & Education

18. ASD & Education First/Then
Let’s students know the order of activities.
That they will earn their reinforcement (it is coming!)
First,
Math
Social
Art
Then,
Computer Time

19. “There is 10 minutes left in the period, work on your math.”
ASD & Education
Concrete Language
Black and white; literal terms; avoid ambiguity.
“There is 10 minutes left in the period, work on your math.” vs
“You need to correctly complete 3 math questions before going outside to recess.”

20. ASD & Education How much must be completed for success?
Successful completion is obvious in these examples:
You’ve completed 10 questions.
You can sit with your hands in your lap, your mouth closed, and legs crossed for 3 minutes.
If you raise your hand…
If you and your partner can each think of 2 examples of…
Shoot 5 baskets, then bounce the ball back and forth with a partner 10 times.

21. ASD & Education Model the correct response
A component of errorless learning.
Promotes success from the beginning (reinforcement).
Increases motivation to participate.
For example,
Provide an example on the board.
Help student complete first question.
Teacher/peer demonstrates the action.
Show a completed version.

22. ASD & Education Make sure that rewards are reinforcing
Students require external reinforcement.
Not all rewards are reinforcing.
Ask the student what they want to earn for completing their work.
Ask what the student likes to do when they have free time.
Consider:
Free choice
Technology
Peers
Escaping the work environment/classroom

23. ASD & Education Reflection
Think about teaching a particular subject/topic to a student with autism. How will you set them up for success?
How will you ensure that they understand what you are asking them to do?
How will you clarify your performance goal?
What will they earn for completing your required task?

24. ASD & Education Summary Students with autism want to be successful.
Many struggle to understand the expectations for success in the general education classroom.
Through differentiation of instruction and assessment, we can help to clarify expectations, incorporate their interests, and motivate students to participate in learning.
Reflections on this material?