Autism and learning
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Support the learning and wellbeing of autistic students or tāngata whaitakiwātanga.
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Current page section: Autism and learning
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Go to top of current page: Autism and learning
Go to top of current page: Autism and learning
Understanding autism
Learn about key characteristics of autism.
Consider how you value uniqueness and diversity in your classroom.
Closed Captions
Summary of important concepts:
Strategies for action
Four key strategies to support tāngata whaitakiwātanga, autistic students.
Identify needs and ways to provide support
Get to know the student. Take an evidence-based approach to identify where they need support. Work in partnership with the student, their whānau, and those with expertise and experience.
Matt Frost talks about his experience of autism and what worked well for him at school.
Closed Captions
Three suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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- Video
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Gather information to inform practice
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Organisations, programmes, and resources
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- Resources
Key areas of support
Communication, social interaction, sensory challenges, positive behaviour and self management are areas that autistic students may need some specific support with.
People who know the details of my autism are usually more comfortable dealing with me. Also, the more information my teachers have, the more ideas they have to help me learn.
Autistic student
Five suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
Approaches that support tāngata whaitakiwātanga - autistic students are often valuable for all students. The year 1-8 strategies should be read alongside the Key areas of support section of this guide.
Linda Ojala uses a UDL approach to ensure her classroom is an effective learning space for a student with ASD.
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Support participation and confidence
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- Video
- Resources
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Present information in different ways
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- Video
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Support processing and organisation
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- Video
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Provide options to create, learn and share
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- Video
- Resources
Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13
Approaches that support tāngata whaitakiwātanga - autistic students are often valuable for all students. The year 9-13 strategies should be read alongside the Key areas of support section of this guide.
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Look at your learning environment, including your teaching strategies, assessment processes, materials and the ways you construct learning tasks. Consider how it works for tāngata whaitakiwātanga — autistic students.
Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Support participation and confidence
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Present information in different ways
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Support processing and organisation
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
-
Provide options for students to create, learn and share
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
Key resources
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A resource for educators
Read time: 25 min
This booklet examines how autism can influence learning. It provides strategies teachers can use relating to key areas where autistic students may need support.
Aotearoa New Zealand Autism Guideline: He Waka Huia Takiwātanga Rau
Third edition 2022. Collates research on effective ways to support autistic people and their families. It includes advice about well-researched approaches, therapies, and supports which have been proven to work.
Publisher: Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Aotearoa New Zealand: Promising Practices and Interesting Issues
This book aims to help teachers and other education professionals provide for autistic children and young people at all levels of education. Chapters include exploring specific strategies including video modelling, and social scripts.
Publisher: NZCER Press
Price: One off charge NZ$44.95
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Autism and learning
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Identify needs and how to provide supportShow suggestions for Identify needs and how to provide support
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Key areas to supportShow suggestions for Key areas to support
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
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Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13
