Autism: Strategies A-Z (Elementary)

Autism: Strategies A-Z (Elementary) is a six-page (trifold) laminated guide that offers general and special education teachers, parents and paraprofessionals quick-access to practical tips and effective strategies for teaching elementary school-aged children with autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Authors Wendy Ashcroft, Sue Argiro and Joyce Keohane provide an overview of common characteristics exhibited by students with autism, including difficulty communicating and deficits in the area of social skills, to help teachers identify students who may fall on the autism spectrum and should be referred for assessment and diagnosis.

Select research-based approaches to teaching children with autism are reviewed, including:

• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Discrete Trial Teaching
• Creating a token economy system

Additionally, the guide recommends strategies to help teachers understand and manage the behavior students with autism, including:

• Changing the course of negative momentum
• Targeting motivation
• “Oops” strategies