Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month. To help you prepare for the month, staff at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism have developed an article in conjunction with the Autism Society of Indiana listing a number of facts and tips. Here are a few to get you started:

• Make it Visual!  Most individuals on the spectrum are visual learners.  Reduce verbal interactions and use visual supports.  Avoid getting into verbal arguments with students.
• Remember that the best time to address behavior is when behavior is not happening.  Teach the individual alternative ways of responding when they are calm and not in the heat of the moment.
• For individuals who need it, build in small breaks throughout the day, even in secondary school or in a job setting.  Identify a safe area or safe person for the individual to access when they are stressed. Rehearse the strategy with the individual when they are calm.
• Consider successes. When assessing behavior, be sure to determine those conditions, situations, events, and people with whom the individual is most successful. Replicating those factors is an important part of a behavior support plan.

Want to read the entire article? Please visit:  http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=359