Helpful Tips for Successful Inclusion If the person has difficulty:

…starting an activity

• Explain the purpose of the assignment
• Give a signal to begin the activity
• Break the activity into small parts
• Provide immediate feedback and encouragement
• Use a digital timer and have the person estimate how long the activity will take

…staying on task

• Remove distractions from the activity area
• Place the person next to a peer who can model staying on task
• Use color to highlight rote, repetitive tasks
• Increase the frequency of reinforcement
• Encourage eye contact with the activity leader
• Build success into the task
• Offer variety in tasks

…staying seated

• Make sure the person understands expectations
• Give a reward any time the person is sitting
• Take a photo of the person sitting appropriately and cue him/her, when necessary, by pointing to the photo
• Move the person’s seat or desk away from distractions and nearer the center of the room across from you

…following directions

• Make sure the person is able to perform the activity
• Make sure the directions are understandable
• Give short, concrete directions
• Provide examples (visual, auditory and tactile)
• Repeat directions
• Have the person repeat and explain the instructions before beginning the activity
• Team with a peer who understands the directions

If the person has difficulty:

…listening

• Provide visual models for the person to follow
• Have the person repeat instructions aloud
• Have the person sit near you

…working independently

• Provide activities that are appropriate to the person’s development level
• Be certain the person can foresee an end to the task
• Give brief, precise directions
• Give frequent reinforcement; praise the person in front of peers for concentrating
• Alternate short independent tasks with tasks on which you give assistance. Gradually require more independent work before giving help.

…calling out

• Reward the person immediately for listening
• Reinforce peers who do not call out
• Point to a cue posted on the wall to remind the person not to interrupt. The cue could be a picture of a smile or just a colored symbol. Explain the cue to the person privately prior to the activity.
• Give the person an opportunity to be the leader
• Provide small group exercises in which the person has the opportunity to talk

…needing a great deal of personal attention

• Assign a peer or volunteer for support
• Check with the person at the beginning of each activity
• Try and catch the person doing something right and draw attention to that

…following rules

• Post rules in the area where they can be reviewed daily. Illustrate the rules with photos of people in the group who are following rules.
• Make the rules simple
• Be consistent in your expectations and consequences for breaking the rules
• Give each person a list of the rules, if needed. Set up a “contract” privately with the person

If the person has difficulty…

…remembering

• Have the person repeat directions
• Use songs, poems, and chants to enhance recall
• Review activities periodically
• Color code significant details of the task

Use the link below to print a PDF version of this information to share with others.

For more information about this program contact: KohlsAutismAwareness@childrens-specialized.org

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