1. Keep it structured
Children with autism thrive in a structured environment. Establish a routine and keep it as consistent as possible. In a world that’s ever changing, routine and structure provide great comfort to a child on the autism spectrum. Define routines clearly. For example, every morning:
– Enter the classroom
– Greet the teacher
– Greet the friend next to you
– Unpack your school bag
– Put notes in the red tray
– Put lunch bags in the blue tray
– Sit at your desk
Activities are successful when they’re broken into small steps. If children are creating a craft such as a paper airplane, define when it’s time to cut, draw and paste. Make sure children know what to do if they finish ahead of time. Typically, children with autism do not use free time productively; therefore strive to have as little downtime between activities as possible.