Tips for Setting up Classroom

Here are some tips for Setting Up Your Classroom for a Student with Autism:

Use Visual Supports

  • Remember, students with autism have communication deficits; they cannot express themselves effectively.
  • Language difficulties may make it difficult for these students to understand what is expected of them. They may be confused about what is happening.
  • Visual supports can reduce problem behaviors and increase effective communication interactions for most students with autism.

A schedule is a key component of a visual support system

Visual schedules can be very powerful because they help an autistic student visualize their actions. It gives the student information about what will happen and when it will occur. Watch the following video to learn more.

Personal Space

Often students with autism have a difficult time understanding personal space.

  • Define personal space by drawing masking tape outlines on the floor.
    • Tape is useful for many things in an educational setting.
    •  It can also be used to set particular boundaries, create a square or space for kids to sit, and even be used for other activities that can be modified for social distance. 
  • Define personal space by using Flat hoops.
    • For students unable to visualize where their personal space starts and ends, provided them with rings placed about the classroom setting that provide the children with a designated space to play or learn.
    • These hoops can help the student see their bubble and work with them to ensure they maintain personal space while playing, sitting on the rug, and learning in the classroom setting.

Set up

  • Take time to set up your classroom, and avoid changes once it is set up.
    • If your classroom will have stations, use furniture to help define these spaces.
    • Provide a quiet area for your autistic student to go for breaks.
  • Children with autism pay attention to details and can miss the big picture. Wall charts and posters can distract from your teaching.
    • While teaching, try to teach in front of a blank background (i.e., a chalkboard with nothing extra written on it).

A supportive classroom for students with autism is usually a very big space with strictly defined work areas. Just by looking at the room, you should be able to identify where students do their writing assignments, where they learn through play, where they work with their hands, where they read, where they rest, and so on.

Calm Down Area

A calm down area is where students who get too excited, nervous, or frustrated go to take a deep breath and calm down before they can continue with the scheduled activities. 

To create a calm-down area:

  • Choose a corner that’s a little bit hidden away, or at least not in the direct eyesight of students.
  • There should be furniture so students can sit or lie down.
    • A big bean bag or a small sofa would be amazing, but you can also place a soft blanket on the ground with a bunch of pillows. 
  • Some teachers like to place a small desk and give students mindfulness and reflection exercises. 

Out of everything we’ve covered, the most important thing to remember is that this is a process that you can take slowly. You can start with the changes that are affordable or easily achievable by you, then gradually improve. 

Next, we will discuss tips you can use as you teach children with Autism.