Supporting pupils with autism

Teaching tips and classroom ideas to ensure that students with autism feel supported in all primary and secondary classrooms

Tes Resources Team

Supporting Pupils With Autism,autism,autistic Learners,learners With Autism,autistic Students,teaching Students With Autism,primary,secondary

Guidance and teaching materials to ensure learners with autism are included in the classroom

Tens of millions of people across the globe have autism, a developmental disability that affects social interaction, communication and behaviour in a variety of different ways.

Autism Awareness Day (2 April) was established by the UN with the dual purpose of raising the profile of the spectrum condition and bringing autism organisations together to collaborate on research, diagnosis and treatment.

Dedicated days, such as this one, are the perfect opportunity for you to review your approach to teaching. We’ve compiled a selection of resources to help you understand how autism can affect pupils’ learning and offer up some ideas to help you support them in the classroom.

Tips for teachers

Teaching guides, workbooks, short videos… Explore the reality of life for pupils with autism before adapting your classroom to cater for the needs of all learners with the help of these innovative ideas.  

Teachers TV: Understanding Autism
Teachers TV

Teachers TV: Understanding Autism

FREE
(14)
Twenty-year-old John Simpson, himself on the autistic spectrum, guides us through the theory and reality of life for many ASD pupils at secondary school. As well as sharing his own story, he speaks to Autism West Midlands Sue Hatton about the condition, and Mike Collins from the National Autisti...
ASD / Autism Friendly Classrooms - CPL / CPD
humansnotrobots

ASD / Autism Friendly Classrooms - CPL / CPD

FREE
(42)
Part of a series of SEN sessions delivered in school to raise awareness of some of the additional needs / difficulties presented by students. This one, as the title says, focuses on Autism / Autistic Spectrum Disorder. To maintain copyright, the presentation is made available as read only powerpoint...
Autism: Top Five Tips Poster
tesSpecialNeeds

Autism: Top Five Tips Poster

FREE
(6)
An informative, colourful poster to hang in your staffroom; this resource gives key information and ideas in an easy to read format. Links to recommended resources, that support this area, are also included.

Resources for pupils

Help prepare students for new experiences and demonstrate how autism isn't a barrier with these stimulating activities. From planning templates to lessons on conversational skills, there’s something to engage every student.  

Dodeca Dice - Circle Time Faces and Moods
senteacherresources

Dodeca Dice - Circle Time Faces and Moods

FREE
(5)
Fun and simple activity for circle time games. \- copy that face \- what is that mood..? \- what makes me....? \- what makes you...? \- what makes her...? Create and customise your own dodeca dice from a library of 10,000 Creative Commons symbols: http://www.senteacher.org/wor...
Visual Timetable Cards
clevermonkey

Visual Timetable Cards

£3.00
(7)
A visual timetable is a must have resource in any classroom! This easy to edit PowerPoint file contains over 100 ready to print timetable cards to help you create your own visual timetable in your Early Years setting. Perfect for establishing routine, settling anxiety, building speech and ...
Task Card/board examples - lesson structure support
catadams

Task Card/board examples - lesson structure support

£1.00
(0)
As an SEN English teacher who trained in an autism base, I know how challenging it can be to differentiate for the needier pupils in your group. As a result of this, I frequently use the concept of task card/board in order to help structure pupil understanding. It is a simple yet effective way to sc...
Transition Booklet ( SEN, Autism)
hoppytimes

Transition Booklet ( SEN, Autism)

£2.50
(1)
Transition Booklet for KS1/ KS2 - end of year, new class, social story. Pages 1 - 6 Booklet Cover page (Year 1 - 6) Page 7 About Me page (name, age, space for a photo, likes/dislikes) Page 8 Introduction to transition Page 9 New teacher's name and space for a photo/ drawing Page 10 A note fr...