For some children with autism, acquiring classroom skills may be difficult.
Classroom skills, such as following instructions, interacting with peers, and behaving appropriately, are essential to a child’s education and social skills. However, for some children with autism, acquiring some of these skills may be difficult. Some parents and teachers may express difficulty in getting their children to behave appropriately when participating in classroom activities. But implementing ABA strategies in the classroom can also benefit students and teachers. Here are some tips for applying ABA skills in a school setting.
Prepare for a Change in Routine
Switching from vacation mode to school mode can be challenging for some kids with autism. Planning and organizing modified routines is essential to helping your child feel comfortable and safe when returning to school. There are many strategies to help you and your child have calm and stress-free morning routines. Starting the day with a structured routine and ensuring your child has plenty of time to complete it without feeling rushed will help set a positive tone for the rest of the day. These strategies are intended to be meaningful for both the child and parents.
Applying ABA Therapy in Class
Some examples of ABA in the classroom are when teachers learn how to determine the motivation and purpose of the student’s behavior, understand how to deliver reinforcement, and modify the classroom environment to promote appropriate behavior. Consistency is key to when using ABA skills in the classroom. When teachers and students stick to the behavior plan, reinforcement stays strong. That being the case, if the plan doesn’t seem to be working, it’s important to be open to creating a new one.
Ensure Communication Between Parents and Teachers
Maintaining open communication with your child’s teachers is important for long-lasting changes. But some parents worry that they are being too demanding. Instead, start with communicating your values. If your focus is to increase your child’s social skills, let their teacher know! If it’s communication skills, tell them what you’re working on at home. Once you’ve established a connection, ask if there’s a way both of you could keep track of your child’s progress. It could be a daily or weekly progress note, sending finished work home, or scheduling monthly meetings. Once communication is established, it will provide a well-rounded view of what your child is excelling at and what they need more help with.
A child’s ABA team can help foster communication and collaboration to bridge support from home to school, thus increasing optimal learning opportunities.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (301) 577-4333. Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.