13 Ways to Support the Behavior and Learning of Students on the Autism Spectrum

January 16, 2018

[POST UPDATED on 2/23/22]

In your inclusive classroom, how can you best address the academic and behavioral needs and challenges of learners on the autism spectrum?

There’s no formula or recipe to follow, since every student—with or without an identified disability or disorder—is unique. You’ll likely notice that some students on the autism spectrum respond well to your preventative supports for the whole class, such as setting and explicitly teaching clear expectations, providing reinforcement when students meet expectations, and using consequences that help redirect the student to desired behavior (if you’re using a multi-tiered system of supports, these would be Tier 1 supports). For other learners, you may need to try additional, Tier 2 interventions to address their needs and help them meet their goals.

In today’s post, we offer 13 evidence-based and research-supported practices for strengthening the academic and behavioral skills of students on the autism spectrum. These suggestions are excerpted and adapted from Behavior Support for Students with ASD by Debra Leach, a new guidebook that shows you how to address ten of the most common classroom behavior challenges.

Use Concrete Examples

When teaching new skills to students on the spectrum, use concrete examples before moving directly into teaching abstract concepts. This is important because students on the autism spectrum often think literally. Try using manipula­tives and models, and connect abstract concepts to things that are familiar to the student. For example, if you’re talking about conduction, you might bring in a pan and talk about what would happen if you touch the pan when it is hot.

Provide Visual Supports

Many students on the spectrum benefit from visual supports to promote their learning and positive behavior. Get creative and develop visual supports that meet your students’ specific needs. You might try activity schedules enhanced with photos or illustrations, graphic organizers, symbols, charts and graphs, maps, cue cards, scripts, and visual boundaries.

Follow the Student’s Lead

This is a good strategy to use with students who have significant deficits in joint attention. Initiate engagement with something your student is focused on to establish joint attention and reciprocal exchanges. You can also follow the student’s lead by positively responding to comments the student makes and questions they ask during group instruction.

Use Motivational Strategies

To increase motivation in your students, consider these strategies:

• Tap into fascinations. Shift to a strengths- and interest-based model in which your instruction uses the natural fascinations of your students as teaching tools.
• Start with easy tasks. Academic success is a great natural reinforcer for all students.
• Increase choices to increase motivation. Provide opportunities for students to make choices throughout the school day.

Increase Active Engagement

For many students, it can be a big challenge to simply sit at their desks and absorb new information. Here’s a graphic with 10 ways to boost your students’ active engagement:

Arrange the Environment to Address Student Needs

Do your students seem overwhelmed by stimuli in your classroom? Consider adjusting the learning environment for sensory processing or emotional regulation issues:

• Modify lighting if overhead fluorescents cause discomfort.
• Remove excess clutter from the bulletin boards.
• Create a safe space or “cool down area” for students.
• Give preferential seating to students who have difficulties with focus.

Use Prompting and Fading Procedures

Prompting and fading strategies can help students learn and master new skills. Some examples include:

• Modeling/request imitation: Show the student what to do and give them a chance to imitate.
• Least-to-most prompting: Begin with the least intrusive prompt.

Prepare Students in Advance

Prepare students for changes by arming them with reassuring information. Explain changes verbally, in writing, or using social narratives.

Break Down Multistep Assignments into Steps

Strategies like task analysis help break down complex assignments into simple steps.

Be Careful Not to Reinforce Challenging Behavior

When students engage in challenging behavior, try not to respond negatively. Use differential reinforcement to increase positive reinforcement for desirable behaviors.

Teach Communication Skills

Students on the autism spectrum may struggle with expressing their needs. Explicitly teach helpful communication skills based on their individualized needs.

Provide Expressive Communication Supports

For students with expressive communication challenges, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can help them participate in academic and social activities.

Consider Peer Supports

Peer-mediated interventions can provide supplemental support for students on the autism spectrum. Train peers on strategies to engage students and encourage their use of social reciprocity skills.

Often, you’ll find it’s most effective to use two or more of these strategies together when planning interventions. Tailor the combination of strategies to your student’s specific needs.