Let's consider some of the characteristics of children with autism and how your classroom might be modified to meet their needs. Also, be aware that while these are characteristics of many children with autism, it is unlikely that anyone child would display all of these. Just because a child has one or two of these traits does not mean the child has autism.
| Characteristic of Children with Autism | Modifications |
| May wander off, not realize when they are lost. | Be sure to check the location of the children frequently so that you notice immediately if one child is not with the group |
| May not seem to notice pain or extreme temperatures. | Frequently check the child when outdoors to make sure he is wearing hat, gloves and other appropriate clothing for the weather. |
| May eat inedible substance such as dirt, craft supplies, glue, paint chips or wood. | Make sure all poisonous items are stored securely. Better yet, don't have any poisonous cleaning materials or other supplies in your center. Be sure paint is not lead-based. Clean up craft area as soon as activity is completed. |
| May have a fixation on a certain type of object, such as string or paper clips, using in repetitive movements, such as winding it on his fingers over and over. | If you notice a child is obsessed with a certain object, try not to have it easily available in your classroom, for example, keep the yarn in the supply cabinet. Don't make a big deal about it, but do attempt to offer the child a variety of other materials to play with, such as play dough, finger paints, etc. etc. |
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For more information on children with autism, we suggest you take the Virtual Field Trip. A virtual field trip is a tour of Internet sites we have reviewed and recommend on a specific topic. |
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Next page, modifications for children with developmental delays |