Being a teacher can be challenging at the best of times, but teaching children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can be especially difficult. Impairments in social interaction, in verbal and non-verbal communication and unusual and disruptive behaviours all combine to impede learning for these children.

Our October issue of the CAIRN Review of Evidence-based Diagnosis and Treatment in Autism, published by CAIRN, is a special issue just for educators. In it, we focus on what teachers need to know to do a better job of helping kids with ASD learn. We review what’s new and noteworthy in the field, discuss what makes learning different for ASD kids, and provide tips and strategies for maximizing their potential, as well as reading lists and other resources that can help build your knowledge and expertise.

Choose selected articles using the following links, or view the pdf version of the newsletter.

Teaching kids with ASD – It’s easier once you understand how they learn
Understanding the “triad of impairments” – social interaction, communication, and interacting with the environment – that children with autism have can go a long way to understanding how they learn.

Characteristics of children with autism
Dr. Bryna Siegel, a developmental psychologist and Director of the Autism Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco, has created a list of “autistic learning disabilities” that characterize children with autism.

Knowing your ABCs is all it takes to help kids with autism learn
Alternatives, Behavior and Communication are the keys to keeping the learning experience positive and productive.

Picture perfect? PECS opens doors to communication for children with autism
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) uses picture cards to
promote communication in children with autism spectrum disorders.
Studies show it not only improves vocabulary but helps with social
interaction skills, as well.

The power of Positive Behavioral Support
Positive Behavioral Support (PBS can help children with ASD learn more appropriate ways of interacting.

Make PBS work for you - resources for teachers
The great thing about Positive Behavioral Support strategies is that anyone with the appropriate training can implement them. Here are a few resources to get you started.

Computers aid recognition of facial expressions
Children with autism have difficulty understanding the facial expressions of other people. New research shows computers may help.

ABA alternative shows promise
A new developmental approach to therapy sets learning goals based on each child’s specific needs.

Can joint attention be taught?
Researchers show success in training autistic children to point and share attention with others.

Training package helps early childhood educators
New video, print and web-based materials can be used to promote development in young children with autism.

Resources for teachers
Books, websites and more.

The CAIRN Review of Evidence-based Diagnosis and Treatment in Autism is designed to help both parents and professionals make sense of all the conflicting research on autism so they can make better choices around treatment and services.

Free subscriptions to the newsletter, which is published three times a year, can be ordered by clicking on Subscribe to CAIRN Review.