Including Students on the Autism Spectrum: Strategies for Success

Including Students on the Autism Spectrum: Strategies for Success

In light of the growing number of students being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as the IDEA movement to educate these students in the least-restrictive environment, all educators need to be prepared to address the challenges of inclusion. Thoughtful consideration and preparation promotes an optimal, integrated learning environment that benefits both the students with special needs and their typically-developing peers. The students with developmental disabilities are given opportunities to model important skills in the areas of communication, socialization, etc. The peers are exposed to diversity and encouraged to respect individuals unique strengths. This one-day workshop will provide the following:

• Tools for identifying suggested prerequisite skills such as checklists, etc.
• Explanations of the roles of each member of the transition team
• Systematic steps to be followed to promote a successful transition process
• Alternative options for inclusion such as reverse mainstreaming, buddy clubs, and circles of friends
• Guidelines for prompting and rapid prompt fading
• Strategies for promoting cooperative behavior such as providing reinforcement, modifying academic demands, etc.
• Methods of data collection