Autism Spectrum conditions

Research suggests that around one person in 100 has an autism spectrum condition. Knowing how to teach and support autistic students can make a big difference.

There are a number of ways in which you can adjust teaching to help students with autism spectrum conditions to participate effectively. 

• Establish a clear line of communication to inform the student of changes in routine (for example, room changes, if a lecturer is off sick etc).
• Make the links between aspects of learning explicit as generalising across contexts can sometimes be problematic. For example, students may not intuitively transfer skills learnt in one area of the programme to another area.
• Accommodate different learning and thinking styles by using visual strategies and multi-sensory approaches when planning lectures and seminars.
• Provide hard copies of presentation slides and information published on the VLE before taught sessions. Check that the student has received these, and that they are understood.
• Ensure instructions and deadlines are very clear and assignment briefs are specific.
• Consider the implications for off-site activities. The student may have difficulty using public transport, or may not be able to use it at all.
• Consider giving the student permission to work alone rather than in a group. If group work is essential, help may be required with choosing partners.
• Arrange frequent meetings with their personal tutor to check progress.