ASD and learning
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Popular
Supporting students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the curriculum.
On this page:
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Go to top of current page: ASD and learning
Understanding ASD
Learn about key characteristics of autism.
Consider how you value uniqueness and diversity in your classroom.
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Summary of important concepts:
Strategies for action
Four key strategies to support students with ASD in their learning
Identify needs and how 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.
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Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Ask the student what will help
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Organisations, programmes, and resources
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Key areas to support
Communication, social interaction, positive behaviour and thinking are areas students with ASD may need some specific support. Explore recommended approaches.
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.
Student with ASD
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
Approaches that are useful for students with ASD are often valuable for everyone.
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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Present information in different ways
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Support processing and organisation
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Provide options to create, learn, and share
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Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13
Approaches that are useful for students with ASD are often valuable for everyone.
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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 your students who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Support participation and build 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
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Provide options 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 spectrum disorder (ASD) can influence learning. It provides strategies teachers can use relating to key areas where students with
ASD may need support.
Publisher: Special Education Online
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 children and young people with ASD 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
ASD in education
This site is for teams who support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Contains research and evidence, practical tips and tools, learning opportunities, and links to other useful sources of information.
Publisher: Special Education Online
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: ASD 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
