Tools+for+Students+with+Autism

[[image:images-1.jpeg width="245" height="164" align="left"]]
====Depending on where the child is on the Austim Spectrum, they may not communicate through words. Many children with Classic Autism do not speak in a manner which most understand. Their range of communication can range from completely verbal, to short succinct sentences, to a series of grunts and other noises to completely non verbal.====

====Because of this, art is a wonderful outlet for children with Autism. These children are able to sit down and draw, paint and sculpt their feelings and emotions. Art acts as a release for these children, and it could not be in a more beautiful way.====

====Here is a video in which a woman is interviewed about a book she has written entitled Art as an Early Intervention Tool for Children with Autism. She grew up with a brother who was Autistic, and writes from her experience of being inspired by that.====

[[image:images-4.jpeg width="241" height="161" align="right"]]
====One thing to consider while having a child with Autism in your art class or general education class is that often what triggers their outbursts are too many distractions and triggers. If the child is over stimulated, there is a chance that it will cause a melt down. While setting up lessons in any subject, make sure that you are taking into consideration whether the activity will be too much for your student with Autism to handle.====

====**Video Modeling:** If perhaps you did not have enough time to individually stay with the student throughout the art lesson, you could video tape yourself doing the project so that the student with Autism will be able to view and mimic what is supposed to be done in the project.====

[[image:http://www.woods.org/php/services.programs/assistive.technology/img.php?f=atec_list_photo_7.jpg align="left"]]
====**Computers**: Computers are often used by students with Autism within the classroom. A student would benefit from using a computer and different art computer programs that can be found under tools and technologies under the ADHD pages.====

====**Touch Screens:** A touch screen would be a wonderful adaptation to a computer within the classroom. If it were to be used with an art software program such as Kid Pix, the student would be able to create a picture with the "brush strokes" of their fingers.====

====**Step by Step Communicator**: This device is a recordable device that allows you to record an unlimited amount of sequenced messages for up to 75 seconds. This way you could record the introduction into the lesson so the student would be able to know the purpose of the lesson. ([] )====

**Talk Pad:** This device has 4 different buttons on it. Each button allows 15 seconds of recordable time. This way you
==== could record the instructions in advance and allow students to listen to different directions as they need it throughout class. ([] )====

====**Visual Schedule for Class**: If the child with Autism is a more visual learner you can take pictures in preparation for the lesson and lay them out on the student's desk. This way they would visually be able to see what comes next in the sequence of the day's art lessons.====

====**Individualized Rules:** It is important for students to know what is expected of them throughout class especially since they are not in their general classroom. Therefore they should being reminded of what behavior is expected of them. This can be attained by attaching a copy of their individual rules to their desk.====

====**Picture Board of Materials**: A picture board that can sit on a students desk would be extremely helpful to them. This way, each week you can take off or add a picture of the materials that the student with Autism will need for the week's lesson.====