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Writer's pictureCaitlin Hughes

Navigating the Learning Journey - Strategies and Accommodations for Autistic Students at Every Educational Stage

Updated: Sep 30


Introduction


The educational landscape is as diverse and complex as the students it aims to serve, particularly for autistic folks. The unique learning styles, strengths and challenges of autistic students require thoughtful strategies and accommodations to ensure that they are supported through every stage of their education. From primary school through to tertiary education, this post explores practical approaches that educators, parents and autistic individuals themselves can utilise to foster a more inclusive and effective learning environment.


Across all educational stages, autistic students may face a variety of challenges, from sensory sensitivities and social differences to executive functioning struggles. Recognising these challenges and addressing them through a combination of environmental adjustments, teaching strategies and personal support is key to creating an affirming learning experience.


Educators and support services should strive for flexibility in teaching methods, assessment strategies and communication channels to accommodate diverse learning needs. Establishing open, ongoing communication with autistic students and their families about preferences, needs and concerns is also crucial for adapting strategies and accommodations effectively.


Primary School


Primary school sets the foundation for a child's educational journey, making it crucial to adopt strategies that cater to autistic students' needs early on. Building a structured environment, using clear and concise instructions, and incorporating visual aids can significantly enhance their learning experience. Sensory-friendly classrooms, including wide spaces and tools like noise-cancelling headphones, can also make a big difference in managing sensory sensitivities.


Ozsivadjian et al.'s (2023) study highlights the critical challenges and necessary accommodations for autistic students in educational settings. Autistic students often face significant sensory and environmental difficulties within schools, including sensory overload from noise in crowded spaces, alongside social challenges. Such experiences can lead to a lack of competence and feelings of being overwhelmed in mainstream school environments.


To address these issues, it's essential to provide tailored in-school support focusing on individual needs. Implementing sensory-friendly environments, offering clear and supportive instruction from teachers, and employing strengths-based learning approaches can significantly enhance the educational experience for autistic students. These accommodations include creating quiet spaces, adapting teaching methods to reduce sensory demands and promoting social interaction through personalised support. By understanding and addressing these unique challenges, educators can facilitate a more inclusive and supportive learning environment that promotes the well-being and academic success of autistic students.


Strategies and Accommodations


  • Visual Schedules: Helps reduce anxiety by providing a clear outline of daily activities.

  • Sensory Tools: Allocating specific tools or areas designed to address sensory needs.

  • Sensory sensitivities: Incorporating sensory breaks and offering sensory-friendly environments.

  • One-on-one assistance: Tailored support focusing on individual learning objectives.


High School


The transition to high school brings about new challenges and opportunities for growth. At this stage, the focus expands to include not only academic achievements, but also a more complex social landscape and strive towards more independence. Peer mentorship programs can provide social support, while scaffolded tasks help manage more complex and longer-term assignments.


Howe and Stagg's (2016) study on the impact of sensory experiences on autistic adolescents in classrooms reveals that sensory sensitivity significantly affect learning and daily functioning. It found that auditory stimuli in particular pose considerable challenges leading to issues like concentration difficulties, increased anxiety and sensory overload, which negatively impact academic performance and social interactions. To address these issues, the study recommends creating individual sensory profiles for autistic students, advocating for a personalised educational approach. Effective strategies include a structured, calm learning environment, sensory accommodations, for example, noise-cancelling headphones and fidget tools, clear communication, visual supports, and consistent routines. These measures can reduce sensory distress and improve academic outcomes and enhance well-being, highlighting the importance of understanding sensory processing differences and implementing targeted interventions for autistic students.


Halsall et al.'s (2021) study on camouflaging strategies by autistic adolescent girls sheds light on their struggles in mainstream and specialist classes, revealing how these efforts to hide their autistic traits for social acceptance lead to internal conflicts, strained relationships, and mental health issues. It highlights the importance of forming relationships and the sense of belonging compromised by camouflaging, and underscores the critical need for supportive educational framework that caters to their individual needs. Key recommendations include individualised evidence-based support, tailored learning, and the enhancement of peer awareness to foster inclusion.


Crompton et al.'s (2023) research highlights the benefits and challenges of peer support for autistic folks in mainstream education. It underscores the positive impact of autism-specific peer groups in providing a conducive environment for sharing experiences and coping strategies. Despite this, barriers such as stigma hinder full participation. The study identifies the struggles autistic students face, including low peer support, bullying and social disconnection, which contribute to reduced classroom engagement and increased risk of social exclusion. It advocates for the creation of peer support groups led by trained autistic individuals to foster connections and sharing among autistic students. Furthermore, it suggests that adaptable and reflective peer support programs can address the unique needs of autistic students, leading to a more inclusive and supportive educational setting.


These studies highlight how sensory sensitivities, camouflaging, and peer support critically affect the learning and wellbeing of autistic adolescents in schools. They point out major challenges like sensory overload, struggles with social acceptance, and lack of peer support, which harm academic performance, social interactions, and mental health. The research suggests adopting personalised and inclusive educational methods which aim to boost academic success, lessen sensory and social distress, and improve the overall well-being of autistic students, stressing the need to understand and meet their unique needs in the education system.


Strategies and Accommodations


  • Peer Support and Mentoring: Facilitates social learning and inclusion.

  • Breakout Sessions: Smaller focus groups for subjects that require more intense concentration or hands-on activities.

  • Tailored Homework Assignments: Adjusting the workload and type of assignments to match the student's optimal learning styles and capabilities.

  • Executive Functioning: Building organisational skills and using tools like checklists or digital apps to manage assignments and schedules.


Tertiary Education


Tertiary education introduces a higher degree of autonomy and self-advocacy, with students expected to manage their studies and wellbeing more independently. Here, advising the university that you are autistic can open up a range of support services, such as exam accommodations, note-taking assistance and counselling services. Flexible scheduling and the option for part-time study loads can also help in managing stress and workload.


Bakker et al.'s (2023) study on predicting the academic success of autistic students in higher education reveals that a combination of student-related factors such as intrinsic motivation and attention to detail, identity aspects including self-awareness and self-advocacy, and support networks, like family support and relationships with university staff and peers, are pivotal for academic achievement. Autistic students, however, face significant challenges, with one-third reporting difficulties due to sensory overstimulation and mental health issues, as well as hurdles in navigating social and academic university environments.


Byrne's (2022) study also identifies key challenges and solutions for autistic students in higher education, who often face difficulties with social aspects of their courses, placing them at a disadvantage and potentially affecting their grades.


This research (Bakker et al., 2023; Byrne, 2022) highlights that strategies like transition planning, financial aid, extended time, and distraction-free settings help autistic students succeed. Personalised support from university staff and peers is also key. Predicting student outcomes early by analysing their background, past performance and motivation is beneficial for timely help. These findings stress the importance of recognising the unique challenges autistic students face in higher education and the need to implement specific accommodations and support to enhance their academic achievement. By implementing these solutions, the academic and social experiences of autistic students in higher education can be significantly improved, ensuring that they get the necessary support.


Strategies and Accommodations


  • Disability Support Services: Access to tailored academic support including alternative exam arrangements and extensions on assignments.

  • Note taking assistance: Utilising technologies or peer support for note taking.

  • Wellness and Counselling Services: Supporting emotional wellbeing and offerings to ideas for stress management.

  • Social Connection: Creating opportunities for engagement through clubs, activities or mentorship that align with the student's interests.


Conclusion


In conclusion, navigating the educational pathway for autistic students requires an understanding, collaborative effort among educators' parents and the students themselves. By employing tailored strategies and accommodations at each educational stage, we can support autistic students in realising their full potential, respecting their neurodivergence as a valuable aspect of their identity.


References


Bakker, T., Krabbendam, L., Bhulai, S., Meeter, M., & Begeer, S. (2023). Predicting academic success of autistic students in higher education. Autism : The International Journal of Research and Practice27(6), 1803–1816. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221146439


Byrne, J. P. (2022). Perceiving the social unknown: How the hidden curriculum affects the learning of autistic students in higher education. Innovations in Education and Teaching International59(2), 142–149. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2020.1850320


Crompton, C. J., Hallett, S., Axbey, H., McAuliffe, C., & Cebula, K. (2023). ‘Someone like-minded in a big place’: Autistic young adults’ attitudes towards autistic peer support in mainstream education. Autism : The International Journal of Research and Practice27(1), 76–91. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221081189


Halsall, J., Clarke, C., & Crane, L. (2021). “Camouflaging” by adolescent autistic girls who attend both mainstream and specialist resource classes: Perspectives of girls, their mothers and their educators. Autism : The International Journal of Research and Practice25(7), 2074–2086. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211012819


Howe, F. E. J., & Stagg, S. D. (2016). How Sensory Experiences Affect Adolescents with an Autistic Spectrum Condition within the Classroom. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders46(5), 1656–1668. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2693-1


Ozsivadjian, A., Milner, V., Pickard, H., Hollocks, M. J., Gaigg, S. B., Colvert, E., Happé, F., & Magiati, I. (2023). Autistic and non-autistic young people’s and caregivers’ perspectives on COVID-19-related schooling changes and their impact on emotional well-being: An opportunity for change? Autism : The International Journal of Research and Practice27(5), 1477–1491. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221140759

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