Everyday Teaching Autism Resources

Here comes another school year. As much as I am excited as a special education teacher, I also start to think about what I am going to do on the first day back for my students with autism. When planning first-day activities for an autism program, it’s important to consider individual needs and preferences.

First Day of School in Autism Classroom

Here are some activity ideas that can help create a positive and inclusive environment for students with autism:

Classroom Tour: Start the day by giving students a tour of their new classroom. Introduce them to key areas such as the sensory corner, quiet space, visual schedules, and designated work areas. This helps familiarize students with their environment and routines.

Name and Picture Cards: Prepare name and picture cards for each student. Encourage students to find their own card and match it with their name on a visual display. This activity promotes name recognition and facilitates social interactions.

All About Me Collage: Provide materials like magazines, photographs, and art supplies. Ask students to create collages or posters that represent their interests, hobbies, and favorite things. Display these collages around the classroom to celebrate each student’s uniqueness.

Sensory Exploration Stations: Set up sensory exploration stations where students can engage in activities that cater to their sensory needs. These stations can include sensory bins filled with different textures, calm-down bottles, fidget toys, or tactile activities. This allows students to self-regulate and engage with materials that provide comfort and stimulation.

Social Skills Icebreakers: Incorporate social skills icebreakers to encourage communication and interaction among students. For example, you can use a “Getting to Know You” game where students ask each other questions and share their responses with the class.

Collaborative Art Project: Engage students in a collaborative art project that promotes teamwork and communication. For instance, create a large mural or a class puzzle that students can work on together, taking turns and supporting one another.

Story Time: Choose a book that highlights themes of acceptance, empathy, or diversity. Read the story aloud to the class, and afterwards, facilitate a discussion about the characters and their experiences. This helps build social-emotional skills and encourages empathy.

Visual Schedule Creation: Involve students in creating a visual schedule for the day or week. Use pictures or symbols to represent different activities and routines. This visual support aids in understanding and transitioning between activities.

Remember, it’s crucial to be flexible and responsive to each student’s needs. Take into account their communication preferences, sensory sensitivities, and individual goals when planning these activities. Collaborate with other staff members and caregivers to ensure a smooth transition and a successful start to the school year.Regenerate response

To ease the first day, we made First Day of School All about Me mini book. Each page carries a little bit of information about each student. Like name, grade, teacher, favorite food, favorite activity to do at school.

This was a nice way to see if a child still exhibits a writing skill as he did before summer break. If a child can not write with a pencil, I like to incorporate to 3 picture choices to use in this activity. This can be great way to assess some of new students’ skill levels in the most natural way.