Autism affects learning through impaired language, social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and limited interests. Autistic children require specialized programs tailored to their individual needs. Early intervention and personalized strategies can reduce the effects of autism on learning. Teachers use various techniques, including inclusion programs, to help autistic children feel accepted and enhance their learning.
The effects of autism on learning are numerous and are usually manifested by impaired language and social interactions, as well as causing repetitive behaviors and limited interests. In most cases autistic children possess the ability to learn but do not normally perform well in typical classrooms. The education of most autistic children requires specialized programs tailored to the individual student. Classified as a developmental neural disorder, autism affects the way the brain stores and organizes information. Little is known about this process or its cause.
Children without autism learn from their environment without intervention. This typically involves learning language and social behaviors. Those with autism learn very little from their surroundings. They normally do not develop social skills and isolate themselves from others. Learning typically requires a highly structured environment with specific individual instruction.
The effects of autism on learning often involve an autistic child’s impaired ability to communicate. Due to a lack of language skills or an inability to engage in appropriate social behavior, an inability to communicate with “normal” children often results in an autistic child’s lack of interest in their surroundings. This behavior can contribute to an inability to learn through imitation, which is how most children initiate the learning process. Often, the effect of autism on learning requires more of a cause and effect teaching strategy rather than imitation. For example, a child without autism might be able to mimic his parent’s words “orange” when mom holds up an orange and creates a connection between the two, while an autistic child might need to actually touch the orange to establish the connection.
Sometimes the learning environment can also contribute to the effects of autism on learning. Many autistic children can be overwhelmed by noisy classrooms with bright, colorful decorations. This is sometimes referred to as “sensory overload.” Surroundings can be so distracting to an autistic child that they are unable to process further information.
Every autistic child’s barriers to learning can be different, making it difficult to develop programs that work for everyone. To counter the effects of autism on learning, parents and teachers work to develop personalized strategies and instructional programs based on a child’s specific needs and abilities. Working to design a learning environment that is geared towards these individual needs can further improve a child’s chances of learning and becoming independent. Research has shown that early intervention and work to develop learning skills at the earliest age possible can help curb the effects of autism on learning.
Teachers use a variety of techniques to effectively reduce the effect of autism on learning. It is common for an autistic child to lack the ability to process information from multiple senses. A teacher may separate their teaching methods, using visual aids and then offering auditory instruction in a lesson. New studies also indicate that inclusion programs can be effective too. These programs create regular classrooms to house autistic students in the same classes as “regular” students. This is proving to be very helpful in making autistic children feel accepted and part of the group, which is proving to go a long way towards enhancing the effects of autism on learning.
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