Supporting students with autism spectrum disorder

Evidence-based strategies to help students with autism spectrum disorder

Telephone02 6947 2164

Emailsnowyvalleys-s.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Checklists

The nature of ASD is such that many children will be over or under reactive to sensory stimuli. The latest Diagnostic Standards Manual DSM-5 that came out in May 2013 finally recognised that sensory processing difficulties are a part of ASD. Some children will have a dual diagnosis of a Sensory Processing Disorder. Others it will just be part of their ASD. 

Simple changes in the environment can make a big difference to a child’s engagement and learning outcomes. You could spend all day asking a child to “sit still” on the mat or you could give them a “sensory mat” to sit on that helps them sit still. Read more below for a checklist of sensory strategies. 

Comfort Zones Profile

This sheet helps in tracking the sensory stimulation and subsequent development of a student. 

Download the Comfort zones profile (PDF 80KB) for more information on the tracking sheet. 

SENDIS sensory sensitivities strategies  

The Sensory sensitivities (PDF 78KB) allows teachers to track and see what has been working and what hasn't been working when it comes to sensory stimulation.