Supporting Students with Autism in the Classroom: A Review of the Literature
By Stephanie Martinez-Dawkins
This issue of NASET’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Series was written by Stephanie Martinez-Dawkins. Supporting students with autism in the classroom has many kinds of support systems. Students with autism faces challenges in classrooms. Addressing challenges can improve students’ academic outcomes, increase peer interaction, and provide a positive education experience. This literature review will provide research on four topics that contribute to the support of students with autism in a classroom setting are supporting staff, academic outcomes, peer interaction and social skills, and providing assistive technology for students with autism.
Based on research, “students with autism faces a range of challenges in the inclusive setting, involving social, academic, and behavioral issues.” Students with autism face challenges in social and communication skills, as well as to play and learn. Certain behaviors may affect their ability to participate in classroom activities and interact with peers (Jaffal, 2022).
Abstract
Supporting students with autism in the classroom has many kinds of support systems. Students with autism faces challenges in classrooms. Addressing challenges can improve students’ academic outcomes, increase peer interaction, and provide a positive education experience. This literature review will provide research on four topics that contribute to the support of students with autism in a classroom setting are supporting staff, academic outcomes, peer interaction and social skills, and providing assistive technology for students with autism.
Based on research, “students with autism faces a range of challenges in the inclusive setting, involving social, academic, and behavioral issues.” Students with autism face challenges in social and communication skills, as well as to play and learn. Certain behaviors may affect their ability to participate in classroom activities and interact with peers (Jaffal, 2022).
Supporting Staff in a Classroom of Students with Autism
Based on research, “school staff who work with autistic students are at a high risk of exhaustion.” Training and guidance are needed to effectively address the needs of students with autism. This research is designed to evaluate a professional development program to assist a team of school staff that participate in classrooms of students with autism. This research explains how teachers often feel under supported and unprepared to meet the social, academic, and behavioral needs of students with autism. Teachers report higher stress levels compared to their peers with general education students. Many teachers express preferences for more support and training to better address their teaching methods. Research suggests that including these evidence-based practices is difficult with less controlled in a classroom setting (Rajotte & Grandisson, 2022)
Academic Outcomes of Students with Autism
Through research, “supporting the academic success of students with autism requires a comprehensive and individualized approach. Educators, parents, and caregivers can implement various strategies to address the unique needs of these students and create an inclusive learning environment.” A collaborative approach involves educators, parents, and specialists in the academic success of students with autism. Communication and teamwork provide consistent support for the students. Educators communicate with parents to reinforce learning strategies at home. Educators should receive training on teaching strategies through professional development to increase the ability to create an inclusive classroom. One study highlights the significance of individualized interventions to increasing academic outcomes for students with autism. Research shows that personalized support tailored teaching methods and behavioral interventions, leading to improvements in academic performance and social interactions. Another study explains how educational attainment of young adults with autism found that those young adults who received special education services and had family support were likely to achieve higher educational levels. A case study on peer-mediated interventions showed that peer support in an inclusive classroom had improved social interactions and academic performance for students with autism (Golden Care, 2024).
Peer Interaction and Social Skill Development
In research, students with autism, “struggle with social and communication skills, as well as issues with play and learning. A few children with autism behaviors may also affect the ability of students to participate in classroom learning activities and engaging with their peers” (Jaffal, 2022). There are many ways to support students with autism in peer interaction and social skill development. Another research states, reinforce what the student does well socially and behavior-specific praise to shape positive behavior. Using behavior specific praise and reinforcement, modeling social interactions, turn-taking, and visuals will help students to recognize and motivate social skills engagement. In the research, it mentions how pairing students with autism with their peers who have strong social skills helps promote successful interactions. Teaching students about empathy and being aware of other feelings are effective in developing social skills in a supportive manner.
Use of Assistive Technology to Increase Learning in Students with Autism
Based on research, “assistive technology (AT) for children with autism includes a high number of tools that can help students learn, communicate, and proceed with daily functions. These tools can range from simple picture boards to software, apps, and robots” (Rudy, 2023). Research states that assistive technology can reduce challenges in educational settings. Assistive technology can help students with autism in many areas, such as communication, reading, writing, math, telling time, managing schedules, learning social skills, managing sensory challenges, and daily living activities. They are different types of assistive technology in Low-tech, Mid-tech, and High-tech. Technology that are used to support students with autism are weighted vests, sensory balls, picture boards, social skills videos, and augmentative communication technology. There is technology that contains social stories, skill cards, apps, and interactive artificial intelligence robots to help students develop social skills and empathy in autistic children.
Conclusion
Research on the four areas of supporting staff, academic outcomes, peer interaction and social skills, and learning the use of assistive technology provides a comprehensive overview of the support for students with autism in the classroom. By addressing these circumstances, educators can be prepared better to create inclusive, supportive, and effective learning environment for all students. This literature review contributes to the improvement of educational support for students with autism, which is guided by evidence-based research.
References
Jaffal, Mohammed AI. (August 22, 2022). National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Frontiers in Psychology. Bamers General Education Teachers Face Regarding the Inclusion of Students with Autism. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9443958/;
Rajotte, Emilie. Grandisson, Marie. (April 7, 2022). Taylor and Francis Online. Disability and Rehabilitation. Inclusion of Autistic Students: Promising Modalities for Supporting a School Team. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638288.2022.2057598#abstract.
(July 2, 2024). Golden Care Therapy. Autism and Academic Performance: Tips for Success. https://goldencaretherapy.com/blogs-autism-and-academic-performance-tips-for-success/.
Autism Speaks. Autism and Social Skills Development. https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit-excerpt/autism-and-social-skills-development#:~:text=Strategies%20to%20help%20with%20teaching,motor%20as%20well%20as%20verbal.
Rudy, Lisa Jo. (November 8, 2023). Verywell Health. Assistive Technology for Autism. Tools that help with Communication, Learning, and More. www.verywellhealth.com/assistive-technology-for-autism-5076159.
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