Maximizing Learning Potential for Students With Autism
My students need fidgets and sensory activities that will stimulate and motivate their love of learning. These will be used as reinforcements for completing their work as well as to teach communication and social skills.
"If they can't learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn." - Dr. Lovaas If you were to walk into my classroom, you would immediately notice that my students are truly unique. All of my students have autism or another severe disability. This does not make their need for learning and knowledge any different than that of their general education peers. However, my students do not learn in the traditional sense and most require individualized teaching strategies. This school year, my students have truly challenged the way I teach and have made me a better teacher.
Teaching students with autism and severe disabilities requires you to think outside the box on a daily basis.
My students absolutely love to learn, but they often need strategies to help them get ready to learn. This includes therapy vests, "body socks", trampolines, treadmills, and sensory lights. Once my students are ready to learn, they do amazing things! I am blown away by the progress my students have made this year. I cannot wait to see their progress continue to soar into the summer and next school year!
My Project
A cornerstone of an effective program for students with Autism and Severe Disabilities includes positive behavior support strategies. This includes using token economy systems and rewards. Throughout the day, my students "earn" rewards for completing their work. My students often choose sensory activities that include lights, vibrations, sounds, and textures.
Students with autism are often attracted to these various sensory activities and are highly motivated to learn when given access to them.
These sensory strategies are also used to teach valuable communication and social skills. My students are currently learning how to make requests using picture symbols. By taking pictures of these sensory activities, my students will be more motivated to use their communication books to request a highly preferred item. We also use these sensory activities to teach social skills such as sharing and turn taking. These are extremely important skills for students with Autism to learn and these sensory activities will help maximize my students’ learning potential!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Sami and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
