I had my first experience working with Autistic children while I was a classroom aide at a preschool. I sometimes subbed in the special day class offered within the preschool, where there were quite a variety of students’ capabilities; Downs Syndrome, speech and language delays, and one particular student who was considered “on the spectrum.” I would watch the special education teacher struggle to get the student to complete a task, such as painting or cutting paper. The student would also give the occupational therapist a hard time with seated tasks. It was actually pretty impressive how much the student would “put up a fight” so to speak, when he didn’t want to do something.
A few months later I became a permanent aide in the special day class, and had to learn how to interact with the student so that he would eventually follow directions. I noticed he liked whispering, so to get his attention I’d talk to him in a really quiet voice while sitting at a table with him. I also noticed he was able to pick up on facial expressions (which I know is difficult for some Autistic children), so I’d try to use excited or surprised facial expressions to get him to engage in an activity. He actually had a really funny sense of humor, so I would try to play into his humor to get his attention. Eventually, I became one of the only aides he would listen to without throwing a fit. It took a lot of patience on my part, but it was definitely rewarding when he’d complete a task with no problem!
I wanted to learn more about autism and what tools and resources are available to families and teachers who work with children on the spectrum; focusing on K-3.
