Autistic children face a number of challenges when they are learning in a traditional classroom. We go through some of the more common difficulties faced, as well as how best to support them in the classroom.

Why Do Autistic Children Struggle With Learning In Typical Classroom Settings?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) manifests in individuals uniquely and will vary from child to child. However, one of the common challenges is difficulty learning in a regular classroom setting. For many years, schools and autism did not go hand in hand. However, as society finally starts to embrace the concept of neurodiversity, more teachers are learning how to empower and support students with autism in schools. 

This blog explores the common challenges faced when learning with autism, how parents, caretakers, and teachers can support autistic children in the classrooms, and what classroom accommodations should be in place for autistic students. 

How does autism affect learning?

Before delving into the unique challenges of autism in the classroom, it’s critical to acknowledge that autistic children don’t have difficulty due to a lack of cognitive ability. Instead, their struggles stem from social-emotional and/or sensorimotor origins. 

The most common ways that autistic children have difficulty in a regular classroom include: 

Fixation on a particular topic or subject

Autistic children tend to develop fascinations, obsessions, passions, or fixations on specific subjects, topics, objects, or interests. This means that they have a narrowly focused area of expertise, leading to a depth of knowledge that can be astounding. However, the narrowed focus can cause challenges when trying to teach them a diverse range of subjects and topics. When engaged and motivated on their subject of choice, autistic students can absolutely master it, but might treat something out of their interest with apathy or resistance. 

Difficulty with social interaction

Autistic students can have difficulty understanding social cues and how to respond to others trying to teach or interact with them. This can impact the initial contact and interaction with others and can also make it hard for them to maintain any kind of social relationship. This can lead to frustration and confusion for both the students, peers,  and their teachers. 

Difficulty processing information

Processing and retaining new information is difficult for an autistic student, which presents challenges in a traditional classroom. Some students will struggle to complete tasks or plan ahead, while others might struggle to break a pattern of thinking and find a new way to approach a problem. 

Communication difficulties

Some autistic children use non-verbal communication, like sign language, picture excahnge, or vocal approximations. This makes it difficult for autistic children to express their thoughts and feelings effectively around people who use primarily verbal communication. 

Another common difficulty that arises is when allistic folks use figurative language (such as idioms and metaphors) or sarcasm, and assume that everybody listening will know what they mean. Autistic folks tend to interpret words literally, which could lead to distressing situations where they do not understand or misinterpret what is being said to them. 

Sensory challenges 

Schools can be places of complete sensory overload. There are hall buzzers, yelling children, whistles, fluorescent lights, and much more. For autistic children who are sensitive to sensory stimulation, this can trigger extreme anxiety and other behaviors. 

Changes in rules, routines, and expectations

Every semester can bring something new to the school. This could be a new classroom, teacher, classmates, or new rules. One teacher might expect children to raise their hands, while another may expect children to come to their desks and talk to them. This can be confusing for autistic children who thrive on rules, routines, and structure.  

Even things as simple as snow days, school trips, and substitute teachers can be overwhelming and disruptive to children who have difficulties adapting to change. 

How to support an autistic child in the classroom

Here are some of the ways teachers, parents, and caregivers can help support an autistic child in the classroom. 

Prepare them for the classroom in advance

Parents, caregivers, and therapists must start working together to prepare the child for the classroom environment. This means establishing and getting them used to the routine that they can expect in class; learning classroom etiquette, such as putting their hands up and waiting to be called on; and schedules, such as snack time or break time; and more. 

Use concrete language and visual aids

Autistic children respond well to clear, concise instructions. Always use explicit, concrete language to explain things that other children might pick up intuitively. Demonstrate for them how they should set up for class and anything else that is expected of them. Autistic children respond best to clear visual cues and in-person demonstrations. 

Establish routines and practice making changes

Rules and routines make many autistic children more comfortable and that the world around them is a little more predictable. Explicitly set out a routine and boundaries and run through them as often as needed. Visual timers and schedules tend to work well, too. 

 
However, it’s also important to implement small breaks in these routines every now and then. Routines cannot be followed at all times, and teachers can prepare students for this by practicing change with positive reinforcement and comfortable disruptions.  

Work on reducing sensory triggers

Identify what sensory triggers the child has and work out how you can reduce them. Sensory discomfort is a huge disruption in the classroom, and if you can identify and eliminate or lessen what is causing distress, then it takes down a big learning barrier. 

Use a calm tone

Autistic children have difficulties with social cues. So, it’s important that you watch your tone when addressing them. Try to keep a calm, steady tone of voice, particularly when giving them feedback. They could misconstrue any change in tone of voice and respond more to that than the words being delivered. 

Create a team of staff that can help support autistic students

Change is one of the biggest stumbling blocks in school for ASD children. Establish a team of staff across the different departments that can help create a smooth transition for children moving to the next grade, getting a new teacher, or starting a new subject. Different things will work with each child, and it’s critical to have a team to share knowledge on how best to support a smooth transition for every child that is without disruption and trauma. 

How does autism affect students in the classroom?

Of course, the other students in a classroom must be considered when integrating an autistic child into a traditional school setting. If the transition to a classroom environment is not done correctly, then it can be disruptive to everyone involved. However, when done right, the inclusion of autistic children in the classroom environment can offer value to the child, the other students, and the teacher. 

Where classroom accommodations for autism, like noise-canceling headphones, dim lights, peer mentors, and extra time, are sufficient, an inclusive classroom can benefit all of those involved. It’s where accommodations are lacking and support is not given that issues can arise. 

Programs like Lighthouse Fusion ABA therapy play a key role in ensuring that autistic children are prepared for the classroom and continue to be supported there. Creating an inclusive environment in the classroom is a group effort and, when well-supported, can be extremely successful and fulfilling. 

LAC offers the support your child needs for the school transition

At LAC, our therapists work alongside you and your child to help prepare them for their future. We ensure that they have the right practice and support for the school transition and will provide support and autism resources for their general education teachers while they are there. We will devise techniques and accommodations particular to the class they will enter and what is expected of them. This way, we can also tailor their responses and those of the people around them to the challenges they face.  

With the right preparation and in the right environment, inclusive classrooms can be a wonderful place for everyone’s kids. 

Teaching self-care skills to autistic children presents a number of challenges, as things like bathing and skin care might feel overstimulating or simply not preferred to those on the spectrum. By breaking grooming down into small, manageable steps, and teaching skills early, you can equip your child with the tools they need. 

Autism Tips for Parents: Teaching Personal Hygiene & Self-Care Skills

Teaching self-care skills to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents a unique set of challenges, as things that feel good to allistic people, such as bathing and skincare, might feel overstimulating to autistic folks. As your child reaches adolescence, the importance of personal hygiene and appearance becomes even more significant. By breaking grooming down into small, manageable steps, and starting early, you can equip your child with the tools they need to move through life. 

Why autistic children undress

It’s not uncommon for children to remove their clothing, both at home and in public, but parents of autistic children tend to have a more challenging time resolving this issue. This isn’t simply a style preference or the dislike of a certain color or garment, though it might be; people with autism are more likely to have an actual clothing sensitivity. If your child is complaining about an irritating seam, uncomfortable fit, or itchy fabric — or if they’re having tantrums or meltdowns when wearing certain clothes — it’s likely caused by a sensory sensitivity. 

This might be frustrating for parents, but it’s important to remember that your child is not being overly dramatic. Their brain is reviewing an overload of signals about the item they are wearing, making it difficult to focus on anything else. In some cases, it can be downright painful. 

Once you understand the reason for clothing removal, you can implement some practical strategies for solving the issue and providing your autistic child with the skills they need. 

How to resolve it

Your child is already dealing with extreme discomfort, so it’s important to be patient and understanding. Rather than forcing a particular item of clothing, offer them one or two choices — each with a different fabric or fit. This allows them to be in control of the situation, which already makes them more willing to deal with discomfort as they have chosen the item themselves. 

What you can do is provide sensory-friendly clothing. They might dislike jeans because they are too stiff or a certain sweater because it makes them itchy. Instead, get to know their particular sensitivities and provide a selection of clothing in soft, comfortable fabrics, avoiding possible irritations like lace or constrictive garments. Consider seamless socks and underwear, tag-less shirts, buttonless pants, and hypoallergenic fabrics. 

Help resolve sensory issues over time with tools like sensory bins or the tailored techniques recommended during Lighthouse Fusion® ABA therapy. 

Autism and self-care

With autism, hygiene and self-care can present a number of challenges. Sensory issues can make washing and grooming uncomfortable, which may make bath time very challenging for parents. Address hygiene issues with these simple steps. 

Develop a routine

Autistic folks tend to respond well to rituals and routines, which makes this the most effective way to teach cleanliness. Implement a morning and evening grooming routine early and be consistent with it to encourage predictability and familiarity as your child ages. Autistic children also tend to learn best by doing rather than watching or listening, so a visual schedule containing both pictures and written instructions can help make these essential life skills for those on the autism spectrum much easier while encouraging self-care and independence. Of course, as children move into adolescence, a new routine will need to be established, and the process will need to be repeated. 

Keep supplies organized and within reach

Create a laminated checklist with each step clearly displayed. Pictures of your child (or even of their favorite character or a sibling) performing each step make the checklist clear and fun. Videos can be great models too! Place the checklist where they can easily see it, like on the bathroom mirror.  

Next, place all the tools and products they’ll need for their grooming rituals in an easily accessible box — one for the morning and one for the evening. Again, give your child a variety of fragrances and textures to choose from. Once they’ve found their favorite toothpaste, soap, and other grooming products, go ahead and number each product in the order of use. Remember, aversions may occur to certain fragrances and textures, so opt for unscented, natural products if that is a concern. 

A morning routine may look something like this: 

1. Use the toilet 

2. Wash hands 

3. Wash face with soap 

4. Rinse with water 

5. Dry with towel 

6. Apply moisturizer 

7. Get dressed 

8. Brush hair 

9. Eat breakfast 

10. Brush and floss teeth 

Remember, if this feels overwhelming, you can always break the steps down further. Little ones might need a separate ritual for getting dressed and doing their hair. 

Use rewards 

Let’s be honest — most children don’t enjoy brushing their teeth! Even so, autistic people may not experience the same relief that allistic (non-autistic) people experience when engaging in self-care, which makes it important to provide a strong motivator and reward for the completion of essential tasks. When a child strongly dislikes a particular task, it’s best to break it down into micro-tasks and reward each step. You can offer toys or extra playtime, for instance. 

When your child gains more independence or acquires more tolerance, you can slowly begin fading out rewards. It’s important to do this slowly as they make progress to avoid dependence on particular outcomes. 

Create social stories

Social stories are brief descriptions of a particular situation, activity, or event that describe what to expect in that situation, why it is that way, and how to respond appropriately. This presents information in a literal way, preparing children and giving them the chance to rehearse so that they are not overwhelmed by new experiences. 

With autism, some skills may be harder to pick up than others — self-care is one such instance where your child may struggle without appropriate guidance. Social stories can help explain the importance of personal hygiene, teach appropriate behaviors, and demonstrate how to respond should they feel the need to remove their clothing, for instance. Find a children’s book that displays this accurately, or create your own social situations relating to grooming using simple, straightforward language — you can also add pictures to make it more interesting. 

Overcome the challenges with the help of Lighthouse Autistic Center

Discover more helpful autism resources, or work with our team of professionals who provide tailored support to the entire family, offer guidance on navigating insurance, and equip both you and your child with the skills needed for continuous progress.