Introduction to Autism Online Tutorial
	Module 2: Ways to Help in the Classroom Problems and Solutions Educational Need: Non-compliance with schoolwork Possible Strategies: Use some of the strategies described previously to increase motivation for schoolwork, such as incorporating the student’s interests into teaching, and using a token economy. Another idea is to provide a “break card” for the student to use when he or she needs a few minutes of break from work. The card can be handed to a teacher to request a short break from work. Students may be more likely to complete schoolwork if they know they will get breaks. Here are a few examples of break cards from Positively Autism: Break Card for Computer Time Break Card for Playing with Toys Break Card for Reading Break Card for Listening to Music Break Card with No Pictures (Just Text) Educational Need: Attending to task Possible Strategies: Again, a token economy can be used by giving a student a token while he or she continues to remain on task. How often you give a token depends on how long the student can stay on-task without becoming distracted or disinterested. I’ve had some students who have needed tokens about every 30 seconds of on-task work. Others can work for longer periods of time. Gradually and over time, students should be able to complete increasing amounts of work for each token (but make sure you increase the time in small increments). Make sure your instructions are clear, and provide a written or picture copy of assignment or task instruction to students if possible. As we saw in the video clip about TEACCH, remove distractions from the work area. Many of the TEACCH strategies are very beneficial for helping students with autism to focus and attend to a task. Next --> Module 3: After the Diagnosis (For Parents)