Structured+Teaching+for+Individuals+with+Autism+by+Heidi+Slone

Heidi Slone 4/6/2009 ** Structured Teaching for Individuals with Autism ** Julie Christian and the Autism Program Staff from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, using information from the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children approach, developed in the early1970’s by Eric Schoppler and Gary Mesibov, created a strategy to help children with autism stay focused and complete tasks. Using visual cues to organize the space in which an activity is to take place, plays to the strengths of many children with autism. Organizing and labeling the space for activities helps children with autism: find items, complete tasks, and transition from one activity to the next. To set up the classroom for Structured Teaching there are five steps to follow. This strategy would be well used when setting up learning centers in a classroom. I feel that this practice would be beneficial for any student with or without disabilities. After the initial set up period it would also help keep a classroom clean and organized. Christian, J. (2002), Autism and related disorders handbook. Retrieved on 4/6/2009, from: www.**usd.edu**/cd/**autism**/**Autism** Handbook.pdf  
 *  1.  ** Assess the student’s needs in terms of sensory and special issues.
 *  2.  ** Choose specific places for specific activities.
 *  3.  ** Organize and stage the spaces with items needed for that activity.
 *  4.  ** Label all materials and supplies.
 *  5.  ** Monitor how the spaces are working for individuals and make changes as necessary.