All about autism with Claire Droney: Use a schedule
All about autism with Claire Droney: Use a schedule
Video 9: Tes have teamed up with Specialist advisory teacher for autism, Claire Droney, in this series of ten videos made for teachers in mainstream classrooms.
Claire Droney has been working with people with autism since 2004. First, as a special class teacher and then as an advisory teacher for children with autism in mainstream schools.
Many students with autism love predictability and routine. They feel calmer when they know:
What am I doing next?
How long will it last?
What can I do when I’m finished?
When can I do what I am really interested in?
It’s brilliant to see that so many primary classrooms now have a whole-class visual schedule (either written or symbols + words) at the side of the interactive whiteboard.
Temple Grandin has said that anxiety is the main emotion in autism. By using a simple schedule, we can help alleviate any school-routine-related anxiety. Just ensure that it’s a living, breathing thing, and not just something that looks good!
Download the coaching card for this video or watch the rest of the series.
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