Effective Inclusive Classroom Strategies for Teaching Students with Autism

Autism can be found in a growing number of students, making its presence in classrooms increasingly common.

Inclusive education, where students with autism learn alongside their non-autistic peers, offers significant benefits for all students involved. This approach fosters social skills, understanding, and acceptance among students while providing a supportive learning environment. 

This blog offers practical, evidence-based strategies for teachers to effectively support and teach students with autism in an inclusive classroom setting.

Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom

An inclusive classroom is a general education setting where students learn together with and without learning differences.

These classrooms bring a wealth of benefits to both autistic and non-autistic students. For students with autism, inclusion can lead to improved social skills and enhanced peer interactions. Being part of a diverse classroom allows them to learn appropriate social behaviors and communication techniques through observation and peer interaction. 

Non-autistic students benefit by developing empathy, understanding, and acceptance of differences, which prepares them for a diverse world outside of school. 

Inclusive education and diverse classrooms encourage differentiated instruction and personalized learning approaches, benefiting both autistic and non-autistic students. Successful inclusion programs promote a welcoming environment where differences are valued and learning opportunities are accessible to all children. 

Working with Children with Autism: 7 Teaching Tips 

The effective inclusion of students with autism in the general education classroom requires preparation and supportive lesson planning, along with evidence-based strategies for teaching students with autism in the inclusive classroom. 

Tailoring instruction is critical, as it addresses various learning styles and ensures all students can engage with the material effectively. Here are seven autism teaching methods to consider: 

#1 – Visual Schedules Help with Daily Routines 

Visual schedules and supports are fundamental in helping students understand daily routines and expectations. These aids, including picture cards, charts, and diagrams, provide a clear structure for the day. 

Visual aids can help students with autism comprehend and retain information more effectively, reduce anxiety and frustration, and promote independence. 

#2 – Use Concrete, Simple Language 

Clear and direct instructions will help all young children understand and follow directions. In working with children with autism, they may often struggle with abstract language. Incorporating clear, concise instructions and breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps also aids in comprehension and task completion. In the Incredible Years’ Teacher Autism program, this approach is further refined to meet the unique needs of each child. The program aids preschool teachers in identifying each child’s unique language level. It then guides them in setting goals for gradually increasing the child’s language ability, tailoring the approach to the unique level, abilities, and goals of each child. The program also incorporates the use of cue cards and non-verbal cues, which can be particularly effective for children with autism, further facilitating their understanding and engagement in the learning process. 

Additionally, try speaking to students' interests in your lessons, as it may also enhance engagement and motivation, making learning more relevant and enjoyable. 

#3 – Incorporate Positive Reinforcement 

Positive reinforcement and reward systems, such as token economies, motivate students and reinforce desired behaviors. In the context of the Incredible Years’ Teacher Autism program, these strategies are adapted to suit the developmental needs of children aged 2-5 years. The program employs praise, descriptive commenting, and coaching to encourage positive behavior and learning. It also assists teachers in setting individualized goals for each child, taking into account their developmental stage. While incentives and rewards are used, they are carefully chosen to be developmentally appropriate for this younger age range, ensuring that they effectively motivate and engage the children in the learning process. 

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based methodology that uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors and skills. It is a therapeutic approach used to help children with Autism Spectrum Condition(s) manage or eliminate problem behaviors, including self-harm and disruptions to others, by employing incentives to reinforce positive behaviors. 

Although sometimes controversial, research has demonstrated ABA's effectiveness for some children. A 2020 peer-reviewed study showed that long-term, comprehensive ABA interventions benefit lifelong development in areas such as socialization, communication, and expressive language. 

#4 – Prepare Students for Transitions 

Establishing clear routines and expectations is crucial for creating an inclusive classroom environment. Predictable routines help reduce anxiety and provide a sense of security for students with autism. 

But sometimes things change. Preparing for transitions and changes in routine is another critical strategy for teaching students with autism in the inclusive classroom. Again, students with autism may find unexpected changes stressful, so giving advance notice and using visual or verbal cues can help them transition more smoothly. 

#5 – Create Sensory-Friendly Spaces 

Providing sensory-friendly spaces and tools, such as noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and weighted blankets, can help students manage sensory overload and maintain focus. 

Implementing flexible seating options and movement breaks can also accommodate students' physical and sensory needs. 

#6 – Foster Positive Peer Relationships and Self-Advocacy 

Encouraging positive peer relationships and collaboration through group activities and buddy systems fosters a supportive and inclusive classroom. 

In the Incredible Years Helping Preschool Children with Autism program, teachers learn how to: • model, prompt, and coach children’s social behaviors (waiting, helping, sharing) and social communication.

• Importance of responding enthusiastically with praise and gestures when a child shares, helps, or tries to interact with another child. 

• How to use picture play scripts to promote joint play. 

• How to set up play interactions with picture cue cards and rewards to help two children practice social skills. 

• How to set up play activities with 3 children to teach them to cooperate in joint play and work together 

Self-advocacy and independence are also encouraged to help students develop essential life skills and confidence that promote their long-term success. Students with autism may struggle with social interactions, which is why it's important to note that they might not react to bullying in expected ways. Due to the occurrence of communication challenges, Autism Speaks shares that it's important to thoroughly understand the situation before making judgments about their behavior or assigning fault. 

#7 – Learn About Evidence-Based Models 

Collaborating with special education professionals and families ensures a consistent approach between home and school, enhancing the overall effectiveness of interventions. Staying patient and flexible is crucial, as each student with autism is unique and may require different approaches. 

The Incredible Years offers an evidence-based Teacher Autism program specifically designed for preschool teachers working with children aged 2-5 years. This program leverages autistic students’ strengths by providing predictable routines, visual supports, and organized classroom environments to enhance engagement, independence, and appropriate behavior. 

 In addition to the Incredible Years program, there is another evidence-based model known as Structured Teaching, developed by Division TEACCH. It is a comprehensive educational approach for individuals with autism. This model focuses on understanding Autism, collaborating with families, individualized assessments, and skill development across various curriculum areas, especially communication and social skills. 

Structured Teaching strategies are designed to be adaptable across different settings and curriculum areas, acting as both teaching tools and classroom frameworks.  These strategies, similar to those used in the Incredible Years program, leverage autistic students’ strengths. However, Structured Teaching may be more suitable for teachers working with older children 

For more early-childhood evidence-based programming see more of Incredible Years offerings!. 

Utilizing Incredible Years Resources for Supporting Students with Autism 

The Incredible Years (IY) offers a robust suite of evidence-based resources and training programs designed to support teachers and caregivers working with students, including those with Autism Spectrum Condition(s). 

These resources are geared toward promoting children's' social and emotional learning, emotion regulation, problem-solving skills, and academic success, and in fostering positive parent-teacher-child relationships 

IY programs also emphasize the importance of collaboration between teachers and parents. This partnership is crucial for reinforcing positive behaviors and skills across environments while creating a holistic support system for the child. 

These evidence-based programs, supported by extensive research, demonstrate significant improvements in socialization, communication, and emotional regulation. 

Helping Preschool Children with Autism: Program Overview 

The Helping Preschool Children with Autism program, is the program for preschool teachers who are supporting students with autism. This is a comprehensive Teacher Training Program, implemented by group leaders such as experienced teachers, school psychologists, principals, or social workers with school-related experience. These leaders deliver the curriculum to groups of preschool teachers, and parents can also be included as partners in the process. 

The program includes six sessions, with content on: 

• Promoting Language Development 

• Promoting Social Interactions 

• Promoting Emotion Literacy 

• Promoting Self-Regulation Skills 

Along with resources such as: 

• DVDs or online streaming videos 

• Detailed leader's manual with weekly practice activities and tips 

• Visual aids like posters and cue cards 

• Books, activities, and handouts for teachers 

• A turtle puppet for engaged learning 

• An Autism parenting pyramid poster
  

The comprehensive leader's manual is valuable for effectively implementing the program's strategies, providing targeted support to address unique needs, and ensuring consistency across home and school environments. 

Educators can leverage these resources by integrating structured activities and visual aids into their daily routines, helping to maintain predictability and reduce anxiety for students with autism. 

A central tenet of the Incredible Years Autism Programs for teachers and parents is the concept of ‘getting into the child’s spotlight.’ This involves the teacher or parent striving to enter the child’s world view by joining their preferred games and activities, even when these may seem unconventional or repetitive. This approach captures the child’s attention and interest, making social interaction more rewarding and impactful, maximizing the communication and learning opportunity. Over time, this results in the child becoming more likely to engage with others, providing more opportunities for them to learn from the behaviors that others are modeling. This promotes the child’s social interactions and interest in communicating with others, ultimately expanding their spotlight to include new ways of playing and learning from others. 

The Importance of Ongoing Training and Development 

By investing in ongoing training and development through the IY programs, educators can stay abreast of the latest research and best practices in supporting students with autism. Continuous training is vital for adapting to the evolving needs of all children and ensuring interventions remain practical and relevant. To help Incredible Years offers training to support the implementation of the Teacher Autism program. We even have a Teacher Autism program training scheduled for this upcoming December 2024! This training is open for enrollment and details can be found on our website. 

You can also explore our valuable self-study tool, our ‘Experts in Action’ program. This program is specifically designed for the Autism programs, offering a flexible and convenient way for educators to further their skills at their own pace and grow their understanding of working with children with autism. 

In addition to the specific Autism-focused program, the broader IY Teacher Classroom Management Program provides tools and techniques applicable across various classroom settings. Our Helping Preschool Children with Autism program can be an excellent supplement to the TCM program. We provide tips for those using the TCM program on how to incorporate elements from the Teacher Autism program, making it particularly relevant for those working with older children aged 5-8 years. 

The Incredible Years resources offer a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to supporting students with autism. By utilizing these tools and participating in the available training programs, educators can enhance their ability to create inclusive, supportive, and effective learning environments for all students. 

For implementation recommendations and best practices, check out our quick guide to mastering an early intervention program. 

Foster the Inclusion of Students with Autism in the General Education Classroom Today 

Inclusive classrooms offer significant benefits for both students with autism and their non-autistic peers, fostering improved social skills, empathy, and better academic outcomes 

Teachers can create a supportive and effective learning environment tailored to their students' diverse needs. Embracing inclusion enhances educational experiences and prepares students for a diverse and inclusive world. 

Together, we can foster an educational environment where every student thrives and feels valued. 

Incredible Years provides evidence-based programs designed to aid early interventions for children to improve their emotional and social competencies, focusing on equipping parents, caregivers, and teachers with necessary strategies and support. Our unique approach is designed to address each child's individual needs and help them thrive. For more information about our programs and how they can help, visit our programs page.