With so much going on, so many different students and learning needs, it’s essential to manage the sensory and environmental needs of your child with autism in a busy classroom. This can prevent meltdowns, withdrawals, reduce stress and prevents sensory overload.
When these accommodations are made, you’ll notice an improvement in your child’s ability to focus, learn and self regulate. You’ll find it easier to manage your child’s behavior. Therefore, you won’t have to deal with as much in regards to classroom management.
The following steps will help your make small and easy-to-manage steps to your classroom to help your children with autism.
Actionable Steps:
#1. Classroom Check
See if you can add an extra desk in a space where you can create a quiet environment for your child to focus.
If you have the ability to have children stand at a desk to do their work, learn in small groups or if you have flexible seating, you’ll notice a difference in your child’s ability to study.
If you want to learn more about how to do this, check out the image at the end of this post or CLICK HERE to join ADHD and Autism Self Regulation.
#2. School Check
Check in with your school if they have access to fidget toys, noise cancellation headphones, stress balls, a sensory room or wiggle cushions.
If they do, see if it works with your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and if it’s in your budget to order any or all of these items.
#3. Visual Supports
Use visual schedules to teach your children to shape of the day, rules and routines. You can use them for your board or on a child’s desk. It will help reduce your child’s anxiety levels as they’ll get used to predictability of their day.
If you want a visual schedule that’s already made for you, CLICK HERE or on the following image.
#4. Self-Advocate
Teach your children how to manage their emotions, how to voice their thoughts when they feel overstimulated. Let them know how to approach you subtly so that they don’t feel embarrassed. If there’s someone else that they trust, show them how to approach those adults when needed.
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- The importance of managing the sensory and environmental needs of your child with autism.
- Four ways to manage the sensory & environmental needs of my child with autism in a busy classroom: classroom check, school check, visual supports and self-advocate.
Free Resources:
For a taste of the resources that were mentioned in step two, check out the following resource in my FREE Education Resource Library.
Teach your little ones how to make good choices with the following FREE Resource:
Next Steps:
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favor? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
You’re welcome to join us inside ADHD and Autism Self Regulation by CLICKING HERE or on the fallowing image.
I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte
Disclaimer: I’m a teacher and a parent. I’m not a medical professional, so please don’t take this as medical advice. The advice that I provide in my videos and online are strategies that I have used in my own class or at home that have worked beautifully.
