How to Teach: Autism Spectrum

Resources for Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders in a College Setting

How to Teach Students on the Autism Spectrum from UC Berkeley DSP

(Modified as needed to be applicable to UMD)

[From "Faculty Guide for Working with Students with Asperger Syndrome", an appendix in Students with Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for College Personnel, by Lorraine E. Wolf, Jane Thierfeld Brown, and G. Ruth Kukiela Bork]

Asperger Syndrome is a developmental disorder that is characterized by deficits in social skills, communication, and unusual repetitive behaviors. It is sometimes referred to as "high-functioning autism." The core feature appears to be the individual's inability to understand the thoughts, feelings and motivations of other people and to use this understanding to regulate his or her own behaviors.

The following characteristics are typical in an individual with Asperger Syndrome. Due to the diversity and complexity of this disability, you may not see all of these characteristics in a given student. It is important to understand these characteristics, because they can result in behaviors that are easy to misinterpret. Often behaviors that seem odd or unusual or even rude are in fact unintentional symptoms of AS.

General Characteristics

Frequent errors in interpreting others' body language, intentions or facial expressions
Difficulty understanding the motives and perceptions of others
Problems asking for help
Motor clumsiness, unusual body movements and/or repetitive behavior
Difficulty with the big picture, perseverate on the details (can't see the forest for the trees)
Difficulties with transitions and changes in schedule
Wants things "just so"
Problems with organization (including initiating, planning, carrying out, and finishing tasks)
Deficits in abstract thinking (concrete, focuses on irrelevant details, difficulty generalizing)
Unusual sensitivity to touch, sounds, and visual details, may experience sensory overload

Functional Impact

Communication and Social Skills

Difficulty in initiating and sustaining connected relationships
Poor or unusual eye contact
Problems understanding social rules (such as personal space)
Impairment of two-way interaction (May seem to talk "at you" rather than "with you")
Conversation and questions may be tangential or repetitive
Restricted interests that may be unusual and sometimes become a rigid topic for social conversation
Unusual speech intonation, volume, rhythm, and/or rate
Literal understanding of language (difficulty interpreting words with double meaning, confused by metaphors and sarcasm)

Some Tips

Don't use absolute words such as "always" or "never" unless that is exactly what you mean
Supplement oral with written instructions when revising assignments, dates, etc.
Contact Office of Student Accessibility Services if you have questions
Use clear directives and establish rules if…
- a student invades your space or imposes on your time
- the student's classroom comments or conversational volume become inappropriate

Writing

Information in papers may be redundant, returning to the same topic focus repeatedly
Student may be able to state facts and details, but be greatly challenged by papers requiring
- taking another's point of view
- synthesizing information to arrive at a larger concept
- comparing and contrasting to arrive at the "big picture"
- using analogies, similes, or metaphors

Some Tips

Use clear and detailed directives when referring to revisions that need to be made
Listing or numbering changes on the paper will provide guidelines for student when working
If modeling writing rules, write them on a separate sheet for future reference
Keep directions simple and declarative
Ask students to repeat directions in their own words to check comprehension

Example: (Student arrives at your office at 1:40). "We have 20 minutes to work togeether. At 2:00, I'm going to ask you to take my suggestions home and start making changes to your paper. Come to my office tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 and show me what you've done."

Some Considerations

Student may have sophisticated and impressive vocabulary and excellent rote memory but may have difficulty with high-level thinking and comprehension kills. They can give the impression that they understand, when in reality they may be repeating what they have heard or read. Many individuals with Aspergers Syndrome are visual learners. Pictures and graphs may be helpful to them.

Instructional Tips

Clearly define course requirements, the dates of exams and when assignments are due. Provide advance notice of any changes.
Teach to generalize and to consolidate information.
Go for gist, meaning, and patterns. Don't get bogged down in details.
Use scripts and teach strategies selectively.
Make sure all expectations are direct and explicit. Don't require students to "read between the lines" to glean your intentions. Don't expect the student to automatically generalize instructions. Provide direct feedback to the student when you observe areas of academic difficulty.
Encourage use of resources designed to help students with study skills, particularly organizational skills.
Avoid idioms, double meaning, and sarcasm, unless you plan to explain your usage.
If the student has poor handwriting, allow use of a computer if easier for the student.
Use the student's preoccupying interest to help focus/motivate the student. Suggest ways to integrate this interest into the course, such as related paper topics.
Make sure the setting for tests takes into consideration any sensitivity to sound, light, touch, etc.