Autistic and PDD Students

Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder is a significant neurological disorder that affects behavior, the ability to communicate and interact socially. Children with autism do not develop mental, social or physical skills in typical sequence. Some PDD children may sit for hours by themselves and appear to be engrossed in some mindless task, or repetitive self stimulating activity. Both the severity and the range of disordered thought and behaviors vary greatly from one child to the next.

Students with autism or PDD benefit from an individualized program that is predictable, structured and consistently focuses on improving, verbal and nonverbal communication, social and behavior development, self awareness, and self help lifeskills. Whenever possible programming should be age appropriate, interactive and functional.

Best Practices

• Use social stories for transitional times, try to keep transitions minimal.
• Provide a predictable and consistent activity classroom schedule.
• Provide a quiet area and frequent relaxation time.
• Use visual pictorial prompts.
• Provide opportunities for sharing and turn taking experiences.
• Encourage choice making.
• Use concrete materials when presenting new material.
• Provide immediate and consistent feedback.
• Be patient and allow extended response time.
• Provide alternate modes of communication (pictorial boards).
• Avoid over stimulating activities.
• Utilize technology and appropriate software.
• Provide instruction in small sequential steps.
• Maintain communication between school and home for consistent expectations.