Support communication using recommended approaches
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Supporting communication, social interaction, thinking, and positive behaviour’
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Identify possible challenges
Identify possible challenges
For students with ASD, understanding other people can be more challenging than communicating needs, preferences, and ideas.
Students with ASD:
- often develop language later than their peers
- often have atypical ways of making themselves understood
- sometimes use language in unexpected ways
- may have difficulty understanding others
- may have difficulty understanding abstract language
- may not understand gestures, facial expressions, or body language.
Use emoticons
Use emoticons
No captions or transcript
Use clear, predictable language
Use clear, predictable language
- Use fewer words.
- Slow down the rate of speaking.
- Give students more time to process the information.
- Use clear, concise, visual information in the form of written language, with images.
- Develop a communication system using pictures, signs, words and symbols for those students who are not able to use verbal language or as a quicker way to communicate when they are upset or frustrated.
- Utilise digital tools such as tablets and phones to explore a range of visual communication tools that support classroom routines and give advance warning about changes.
Ask students what works for them
Ask students what works for them
Ask students what communication approaches they prefer.
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Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Key areas to support”:
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Current page Support communication
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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
- Support communication
- Foster social interaction
- Support positive behaviour
- Support self-management
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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