Autism, Discipline and Classroom Management
An Overview of Classroom Environment for Disciplining Autistic Child
May 12, 2009
Autism, as is generally understood, is a neurological disorder that strikes the child within the first three years after birth. Autism will result in malfunctioning of the brain and affect the child’s communication capabilities and behavioral pattern. Medical research is yet to conclusively establish the factors that cause autism, although it is believed to be stultification of normal brain development early in the fetal growth.
Disciplining Autistic Child
No agreed method has yet been evolved on how to discipline an autistic child. Disciplining an autistic child can be one of the most worrisome dilemmas a parent or teacher can encounter. But with effective trial and error method and required optimal level of patience, a way can be found to enforce discipline.
The purpose of inflicting punishment – corporal or otherwise – on a child is let the child realize what offence he/she committed. Punishments are generally meted out to reform the child. But when disciplining an autistic child, it is difficult to make the child understand that the punishment is a direct result of an offence committed by the child or an undesirable behavior on the part of the child.
Special Classroom Needs
It is advisable to design the classroom for autistic child bearing in mind the child’s learning disabilities. The social awareness and cognitive development of an autistic student are abnormal – they may be either very slow or totally absent. An ambiance therefore has to be created within the classroom where the child will be subjected to least distraction.
For instance, if the glowing fluorescent lamp or a ceiling fan in full swing annoys the child with autism, then it will be necessary to use table lamps and switch off the fans. There are a number of factors that need to be studied when arranging a classroom for an autistic child.
The principal need for an autistic student inside the classroom may be the ready availability of a caregiver. This caregiver will look after every need for the autistic child both in the academic areas as well as other things like escorting the child during lunch breaks and toilet visits.
Classroom Management
It can be very purposeful if a child with autism is taught to say "toilet", or point to the closet door or show proper gestures to indicate hunger. Autistic students find it difficult to listen to what is being taught or concentrate much on a lecture.
Research has found that students with autism are able to better comprehend things that are short and exact to the point than elaborate explanations. Autistic students are more receptive to audio-video education and they would gain a better grasp of a subject if lessons are taught with the aid of a computer.
Students with autism are dismayed when confronted with unmanageable work load. The teacher will have to make the assignment appear small and break up any lesson that is too long into smaller fragments.
During a classroom lecture, students with autism listen much better if they are permitted to doodle on a piece of paper. The autistic student’s mindset for any particular day would determine the quantum of work the student can effectively handle on that day.
It is said that by the year 2010, one out of every 120 children born will be autistic. It is therefore critically important that suitable methods are devised and adequate number of educators get suitably trained to effectively handle students with autism in the classroom.
Reference:
Knight, Eric. "Autism in the Regular Classroom." South Dakota State University. 10 May 2009. Autism in the Regular Classroom.
