1) What is the perfect learning environment?
Depends on the child..some kids are visual and some are auditory so I would use lots of visuals:posters, schedules, calendars..ect~
Kids do better when they know what to expect..it lessons tantrums and meltdowns considerably.ect..
Also the room can be overstimulating for lots of kids on the spectrum so I wouldnt have things plastered all over the walls and items hanging down from the ceiling~too distracting.
Noise can be a huge problem so I would try to keep the room quite as possible as well as dimming the lights~they actually hurt some kiddos eyes!
My child has to be near the teacher and I dont like her near the open door~too many distractions…so that she can stay focused on what the teacher is saying.
Some kids have lots of sensory issues that take over.. so a quiet space with bean bags to sit in & read books is nice. Maybe some noise reduction headphones on hand..they come in handy:)
Sensory bins: rice & beans..water table with toys, playdough and cookie cutter shapes..ect..are wonderful and very reinforcing!
I would have some kind of reward system for the kids to earn tokens, or stickers…for good behavior and get a little something from a treasure box on fridays(fill with pencils, stickers, dollar store toys..ect….this will do wonders for noncompliance and kids that need to learn control and doing demands & transitioning skills. Reward everything good..ignore all inappropriate.
Clear verbal instructions with visuals and repetition works best on our kids~my child has to give verbal feedback that she actually understands..just because she looks like she is listening or nods doesnt always mean she totally understood the instructions.
The teacher that gets my child motivated the most is one that is excited to be her teacher and really enjoys being with kids…think “cheerleader” mentality…it is what works for my kid..If the teacher is burned out and just going through the motions my child feels it and wont comply. Parents note this in teachers as well.
My child is mainstreamed and never has been in a class for autism but this would be the idea room/situation for my child personally. Since she is HFA I wish that teachers would pair her with another child to help her socially..boy/girl it doesnt matter..just someone that likes to nurture and help my child..this has not happened thus far no matter how much I request it? I still keep asking though:)
I would also use every opportunity to encourage language and social skills..lots of verbal modeling and using the Modelmekids dvd’s on “Time for school” and “Time for a playdate” ….I would actually use these as instructional dvd’’s~They come with a CD rom (free) so that you can reinforce the skills taught in dvd by making little social books for them to take home and go over them.
Repetition of skills need to be practiced over and over so parents and teachers should use any opportunity to use the skills taught in the classroom as much as possible:)
Never underestimate their understanding..even nonverbal kids with no expressions at all are able to give total recall later on when they do get language so always keep this in mind when talking to them and how you treat them:) My daughter can recall everything that went on when she was non-verbal even though she at the time did not look at us or respond…she still remembers many events now and with detail!
ABA techniques work very well for our kids and I would get some instruction/seminar training as well as read as much as you can on it…it is the most effective means of teaching skills to our kids~A proven fact:)
Behaviors that are inappropriate should be handled consistently by ALL that are working with that child….a “FBA” “Functional Behavioral Analysis” should be done to see what caused the behavior>Before,during and after to see if it can be resolved before the behaviors start. The consequence has to be something the child doesnt like..usually a time out or a token taken away..again..depends on the child and what motivates them to behave.
May need an expert (BCBA) if the behavior needs dire attention asap… a program is written with the behavior in mind (before/during/after) and all involved must follow the consequence & reward system of plan at school and at home:)
Lots of parental involvement and everyone on the same page or else all your time and energy is wasted efforts. Lots of meetings when necessary:)
Parents are key to their childs likes and dislikes so use them…they need to be heard and not disregarded. This happens way too much and one of the top complaints amoung parents~no one will listen and many teachers have pre-conceived ideas of their child without even hearing the parent out~who truely know their child the most. Lots of patience for both the teacher and parents are needed in this area:)
Some kind of feedback on how their kid is doing and often makes us very happy & allows us something to talk to our child about when we pick them up.especially if they are not expressing themselves yet…and for some reason it is very hard to get some teachers to do this.
Just a line here and there on what they did that day or an email to a parent on their child is SO appreciated:)
Since autism is a spectrum and no two kids are alike there is NO clear right answer but knowlege is power and if you have your heart in the right place you will go far in teaching kids on the spectrum:)
Kuddos to ALL teachers that teach special needs kids..they dont get the true thanks they deserve and it is a very tough job both physically, mentally and emotionally. A saint kind of spirit is required:)
Always being open minded to the child’s learning style and finding innovated & fun ways to teach them will keep them interested in learning:)
These are just some suggestions I feel will help your classroom…but also bring your own personality and soul into the room..the kids will love you!
