by Kathy Downey

Created on: June 04, 2010   Last Updated: April 21, 2012

What a student with autism needs more than anything else are skills that will enable him to cope to the very best of his ability with his own set of perceptual problems. Without these skills, he may never be able to reach his full potential.

While the student with autism faces some special roadblocks on his way to becoming an adult, his needs are the same as those of every other student. Every kid needs to learn coping skills that will enable him to function in the real world after he leaves the protective environment of school. A student with autism deserves the chance to become as independent as his ability allows, and to participate in life.

The autism spectrum includes a wide range of symptoms and their severity, so there is no typical autistic student. Many students with milder symptoms can learn self-help strategies and go on to hold jobs and lead full lives, while some who are severely autistic may always need custodial care. But every individual can learn some self-management skills in order to improve his own situation.

SENSORY ISSUES

Extreme sensitivity to light or sound or texture is often a problem for a person with autism. What causes mild discomfort for most people may cause actual physical pain for a student on the autism spectrum, and he may be unable to communicate that. Being in sensory overload and having no way to express that feeling often leads to anxiety or to behavioral meltdowns. 

If a student can learn to recognize his sensory limitations, then perhaps he can also learn to remove himself from a situation before it becomes intolerable for him. He needs to have a specific word, signal, or picture that he can use to let others know when he feels the need for sensory break. This gives him some control, which can go a long way in helping him handle his sensory discomfort.

TOO MANY WORDS

Typically, the student with autism does not pick up on social cues, and he may have trouble understanding verbal interactions. Teachers have a tendency to try to explain concepts by “talking at” students, but this method confuses the autistic child and overwhelms him with too many words. He will often look for visual cues, and can learn to do a task by imitating when it is modeled for him. A student can learn many functional skills like this, increasing his level of independence.

EYE CONTACT 

Often, making eye contact is uncomfortable for the student with autism, because looking at someone’s eyes over stimulates his senses. However, he can learn to look toward the person who is speaking, without actually looking at the eyes. This is an old trick that works for students who are shy as well as for those who are autistic.

PICTURE LISTS

The student with autism usually likes to have consistent routines, and he becomes fearful when he does not know what to expect. A visual schedule or list can be a good tool for him to use. This device may be a simple board with Velcro strips, and pictures that can be put into order so he can see what comes next. Sometimes, the very act of moving a picture helps a student make the transition to the next activity.

A picture list can also serve as a communication aide for the student. He can use pictures to indicate that he wants a restroom break or a snack, if expressing his needs verbally is too difficult for him.

These are just a few ideas to help in the development of coping skills for a student with autism. Every student deserves the chance to participate in life to the fullest extent of his abilities. In order to do this, someone with autism needs to learn skills that will enable him to cope with his own perceptual problems in order to make him as comfortable as possible in his own skin. 

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