Organizational skills just don’t seem to exist for many with Aspergers (or High Functioning Autism). This can be troublesome for students. Regardless of how bright they might be, writing down assignments, bring all their supplies to class or bringing homework back to school seems to slip through the cracks.
Here are 8 tips for having a good day when working students with Aspergers:
- Lists- Have a list or picture list of what they need before leaving the house in the morning, the classroom for learning in another room, for trips in between classes to their locker or before and after lunch, and before they leave school for the day.
- Questions – Ask them questions to help prompt their thinking about what they need to do next. Allow them to use charts, list or anything else to be able to figure out on their own.
- Papers – Teach them early on that papers are important. They should have a special place for papers that go home and go back to school. They need to be taught the system.
- Expectations – Be clear about expectations and their natural consequence both positive and negative.
- Plan – Have one again it can be in words with times or with pictures, review it at the beginning of the day.
- Praise – Them right away for good behavior, remembering what used to be forgotten, or trying their best, for staying calm or anything else that seems deserving but be consistent.
- Rewards – Give them rewards for doing what needs to be done or for good behavior. When, where, for what, etc should all be figured out beforehand and explained clearly.
- Practice – Specific skills to their environment. Don’t just assume everyone can transfer a similar or even the same skill to a different environment.
