While all students have distinct learning styles, those with autism spectrum disorders have a demonstrable need for additional support in the classroom. ASD students require greater understanding and patience from teachers, as well as specific tools, techniques, and autism-friendly environments to help them learn and thrive. Let’s briefly review some of the evidence-based interventions that educators, often in cooperation with parents, are implementing today.
Antecedent-Based Interventions (ABI)
Proactive strategies that modify an environment before a target behavior occurs and can include a wide variety of treatments.
Example: Develop a series of pictures depicting each step of a common task such as brushing teeth, post them where they’re easy for the ASD individual to see, and regularly check their progress in following the visual schedule.
Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI)
Drawn from occupational therapy, these strategies seek to identify and rectify sensory issues that may prevent participation in daily activities.
Example: Use a swing such as a hammock to stimulate the vestibular system—responsible for balance, coordination, and spatial orientation—in an ASD individual with sensory processing difficulties.
Extinction (EXT)
Interventions that disconnect a behavior from a consequence that may be reinforcing it.
Example: Ignore disruptive attention-seeking behavior by refraining from responding to it while reinforcing positive alternatives, such as raising one’s hand.
Modeling (MD)
Performing a target behavior that encourages the learner to use that behavior, resulting in the adoption of the target behavior.
Example: Have a peer of an ASD individual demonstrate a particular social skill, such as introducing themself to others, and have the individual observe and practice that skill.
Music-Mediated Interventions (MMI)
This intervention utilizes songs, melodic intonation, rhythm, or a combination of these to aid in the comprehension and/or accomplishment of desired skills and behaviors.
Example: Give an ASD individual an instrument and have them take turns with others in playing it to reinforce cooperation skills.
Prompting (PP)
Prompting strategies include verbal, visual, and gestural prompts that help a person with an ASD carry out a task or follow rules or instructions.
Example: Use verbal and gestural prompts to guide an ASD person through the steps of an everyday action such as tying shoes, and gradually reduce the prompts through subsequent instances of the activity.
Reinforcement (R)
Reinforcement involves presenting a stimulus contingent on a response, which increases the likelihood of that response occurring again.
Example: Select a positive behavior that must be reinforced (such as waiting one’s turn), make the ASD person aware of rewards for that behavior, and reinforce with a reward when they exhibit the target behavior.
Social Narratives (SN)
These strategies describe social scenarios to emphasize key aspects of a target behavior or skill and provide examples of appropriate responses.
Example: Write a detailed first-person story that describes an experience from an ASD individual’s perspective, such as going to the dentist, including each step of the process, to prepare the individual for what to expect and how to behave.
Degrees for Aspiring ASD-Focused Educators
Hone your teaching craft to better serve ASD students in one of The University of Texas Permian Basin’s CAEP-accredited, online special education graduate programs. Each online program equips you to empower students with developmental and learning disabilities and enable them to live more fulfilling and independent lives.
A practicum component of select UTPB special education programs enables you to get hands-on professional experience, while the online format affords you the flexibility to complete a master’s degree while simultaneously keeping your professional and personal commitments. Access your chosen program anytime, 24/7, from any location to complete assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Online Master of Arts in Special Education, Autism Spectrum Disorders Track
UT Permian Basin’s 30-credit MA in special education is ideal for those passionate about supporting students on the autism spectrum. It offers a specialized track devoted to autism spectrum disorders, covering the physical and cognitive development of individuals on the spectrum throughout their lives. The curriculum highlights the importance of technology, innovation, and inclusion in contemporary special education, in addition to evidence-based interventions for ASD students.
- Apply with no GRE requirement.
- Build valuable professional experience through a practicum course.
- Finish our program in as little as one year.
- Receive a TEACH Grant of up to $4,000 to apply toward this program, pending eligibility.
See career options, projected job growth, and median salaries associated with this degree.
Online Master of Arts in Special Education
Our 30-credit special education master’s degree emphasizes technology and innovation in inclusive classrooms, equipping educators with essential tools to address challenges like working with limited resources, fostering diversity, creating inclusive environments, and identifying individual student needs.
- Apply with no GRE requirement.
- Finish our program in as little as one year.
- Receive a TEACH Grant of up to $4,000 to apply toward this program, pending eligibility.
See career options, projected job growth, and median salaries associated with this degree.
Online Master of Arts in Special Education, Educational Diagnostician Track
Our 36-credit MA in special education with an educational diagnostician track is designed for those seeking expertise in identifying and assessing unique student learning needs. This track provides thorough instruction in standardized and curriculum-based assessment methods to effectively address learning or developmental barriers in students.
- Apply with no GRE requirement.
- Build valuable professional experience through a practicum course.
- Finish our program in as little as two years.
- Receive a TEACH Grant of up to $4,000 to apply toward this program, pending eligibility.
- Secure eligibility for Texas Educational Diagnostician Certification.
See career options, projected job growth, and median salaries associated with this degree.
Get started on your special education master’s degree! Apply today.
Sources:
https://tipsheets.vkcsites.org/evidence-based-practices-for-autistic-students-for-educators/
https://www.autismsociety-nc.org/treatment/
https://docs.autismspeaks.org/evidence-based-practices/
https://www.txautism.net/interventions/modeling
https://www.ice-asi.org/home/about-ayres-si/
https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/how-general-education-teachers-can-support-students-asd
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5152684/
https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/support-child-autism-classroom