Tips
for working with children who have an autism spectrum disorder and are under
school age:
v
Use language
that tells the child what you want him /her to do rather than what he is not to
do; e.g. “Draw on paper” rather than “Don’t draw on the walls.”
v
Be dramatic. Acting
larger than life will attract and keep the child’s attention. Varying the tone
and volume of your voice will also assist in keeping his attention on you.
v
Reinforce all the
child’s attempts at communication; “Good looking,” “Good talking” etc.
v
Tell the child what it
is that he / she is doing that you like; e.g. say “Good putting” “Good looking”
etc rather than “Good boy.”
v
Try not to anticipate
all the child’s needs. Put toys etc out of reach and encourage him /her to
indicate (point, gesture, sound and word) that he / she wants the toy. If the
adult provides what the child needs all the time the child has no need to
communicate.
v
Play lots of rough and
tumble games and other interactive games (peek-a-boo, Round and round the
garden). For the child who rarely gives eye contact this is a good place to start
encourage him /her to look.
v
Play turn-taking games.
Push the toy near the child when it is his / her turn, then pull it towards
your when it is your turn. Make turn-taking cards using Boardmaker or something
similar; have a photo of the child and then the symbol for ‘my turn’, label it
‘John’s turn.’ Make a similar card for yourself..
v
Develop rhymes and/or
sing certain songs when doing routines tasks; e.g. “This is the way we clean
our teeth.”
v
Sing the child’s
favourite songs. Start omitting the word at the end of the line. Wait and see
if the child says the word; if he / she doesn’t continue singing and try again
later in the song; e.g. will fill them in; e.g.
o Twinkle, twinkle little star
o Up above the world so high
o Like a diamond in the …………..… sky