LEARNING WHILE BEING AUTISTIC
Learning
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHILDRENS GUILD
What is Autism?
by Tia Hameed
Like many people when I hear
the word Autism I tend to think
of children who are afflictive
with a learning disability. I
never knew that Autism came
in so many different forms.
According to[CITATION
Aut17 \l 1033 ] Autism, or
autism spectrum disorder,
refers to a range of conditions
characterized by challenges
with social skills, repetitive
behaviors, speech and
nonverbal communication, as
well as by unique strengths and
differences.
Autism is not a one size fits all
type of disability. Autism is
caused by many different
factors.
While Being
Autistic
September
11, 2017
IN THIS ISSUE
The term spectrum
references the many
differences that a person with
autism may experience. Facts about Autism/Assistive
Technology
Autism can be diagnosed as Page 2
soon as 18 months but, in some
cases symptoms may appear
between the ages of 2 and 3.
Developmental delays
associated with autism can be
addressed even earlier so
please speak to your primary
care provider. Autism Speaks
suggest that people with Teacher Quotes/TEACCH Method
questions or concerns seek help continues pg. 4
or information as soon as
possible.
Page 3
Facts about Autism

The Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC)
estimates autisms prevalence
as 1 in 68 children in the
United States. This includes 1
in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.

An estimated 50,000 teens with

autism become adults and
lose school-based autism Photo Courtesy of Center of Disease Control

services each year.

Around one third of people with

autism remain nonverbal.

Around one third of people with

autism have an intellectual
disability.

Assistive Technology
FOR MORE INFORMATION
1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30329-4027 USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636), TTY: 888-232-6348
Email CDC-INFO
Photo Courtesy of Wisconsin
Assistive Technology
Initiative (WATI)
What is Assistive
Technology?
According to the Technology-
Related Assistance for Individuals
with Disabilities Act of 1988
(Public Law 100-407), an assistive
technology means any item, piece
of equipment, or product system,
whether acquired commercially,
off-the-shelf, modified or
customized, that is used to
increase, maintain, or improve
functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities.
Autistic children usually process
visual information easier than
listening to spoken words. Any
time an assistive technology
device is used the student is
receiving information in a way
that is clearly stated and that is
with a visual guide.
Board Maker is an example of an
assistive technology because it
allows teachers to print icons,
schedules, and social stories just
with the click of the mouse.
 TEACCH Method
TEACHER QUOTES
At the core of TEACCH is the idea
of structured teaching. Structured
teaching is comprised of 5
components: Physical
Organization, scheduling, Work
system, Routine, and Visual
Structure.
The developers of the TEACCH
method have based their model on
Lisa Smith the idea that to effectively teach
Communication devices are imperative. It is a way for
students to communicate their want, needs, etc. Its students with autism a teacher
their way of advocating for themselves. must provide structure.
During the physical organization
stage of TEACCH the structure of
the classroom is evaluated with
clear boundaries which include
play areas, work areas and break
areas.

Karen Harris
I feel technology has its place in the lives of children with
autism. An iPad can become a nonverbal childs voice,
thus reducing frustration which is often causes negative
behaviors. I become concerned when there are no limits
on the use of technology when technology is used a
babysitter.

Scheduling is the daily routine

for the day. Students will use
paper schedules or objects that
will tell them what and when to
do a task.

Work System consists of pictorials
or written instructions that tell the
students what is expected of them
during the task.
The end goal is to teach the
student to be as independent as
possible the task in structured left
to right or top to bottom.
Visual Structure references
visually-based instructions that
are clear and concise to assist the
student with what is expected of
him or her. Example; sorting
color balls into color containers.
The teacher will put a starter red
ball into a red container.
Routine according to the TEACCH
method is pivotal with a student
that has autism because it
involves checking schedules and
following established rules or
routines.
References
Autism, S. (n.d.). What Is Autism? What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Retrieved 9 10, 2017, from autismspeaks.org/what-autism:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism

Bloomfield, B. C.-2. (2000, September 9). TEACCH International Conference. Retrieved from TEACCH Autism Program: https://www.teacch.com/

Hileman, C. K. (1996). "Computer Technology with Autistic Children". Autism Society of America National Conference. Retrieved from
http://www.cesa7.org/sped/autism/assist/asst17.htm

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2017, September 9). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from Center of Disease Control:
https://www.cdc.gov/

What is Assistive Technology? (1988, September 9). Retrieved from http://www.kidstogether: http://www.kidstogether.org/at.htm

Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI). Designing Environments for Successful Kids, A Resource Manual. (1997, September 9). Retrieved from
Assistive Technology: http://www.cesa7.org/sped/autism/assist/asst17.htm