Teaching preschoolers with autism requires a supportive, inclusive approach that focuses on early intervention and tailored learning strategies. By understanding the signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and implementing sensory-friendly activities, educators can help children thrive in their childcare program.
This guide provides an in-depth look at the signs of autism spectrum disorder in young children and the benefits that early intervention can have on their development.
What is autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects how a person communicates, interacts, and processes sensory information. In preschoolers, ASD often presents as challenges with social communication, repetitive behaviors, or distinct learning styles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some examples of ASD symptoms in young children might include:
Social communication and interaction skills
- Avoiding or not maintaining eye contact
- Not responding to their name by nine months of age
- Not showing facial expressions like happy, sad, angry, and surprised by nine months of age
- Not playing simple interactive games like pat-a-cake by 12 months of age
- Using only a few or no gestures by 12 months of age (for example, does not wave goodbye)
- Not sharing interests with others by 15 months of age (for example, not showing you an object they like)
- Not pointing to show you something interesting by 18 months of age
- Not noticing when others are hurt or upset by 24 months of age
- Not noticing other children and joining them in play by 36 months of age
- Not pretending to be something else, like a teacher or superhero, during play by 48 months of age
- Not singing, dancing, or acting for you by 60 months of age
Restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests
- Lining up toys or other objects and getting upset when the order changes
- Repeating words or phrases over and over (called echolalia)
- Playing with toys the same way every time
- Focusing only on parts of objects (for example, wheels)
- Becoming upset by minor changes
- Having obsessive interests
- Following only certain routines
- Flapping hands, rocking their body, or spinning in circles
- Having unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
Other related characteristics
- Delayed language skills
- Delayed movement skills
- Delayed cognitive or learning skills
- Hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive behavior
- Epilepsy or seizure disorder
- Unusual eating and sleeping habits
- Gastrointestinal issues (for example, constipation)
- Unusual mood or emotional reactions
- Anxiety, stress, or excessive worry
- Lack of fear or more fear than expected
Activities Across Developmental Domains
Use this guide to craft strategies for activities that foster child development across developmental domains.
Why is early intervention important for autism?
Early intervention for preschoolers with autism is critical because it leverages the brain's plasticity during early childhood to significantly improve long-term developmental outcomes. Starting targeted therapies early helps children build essential communication and social skills.
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), early diagnosis of and interventions for autism are more likely to have major long-term positive effects on symptoms and later skills. Doctors can sometimes diagnose ASD in children before they are two years of age. This is important, as some children with ASD, whose development has seemed typical up to that point, may start to regress after they turn two.
Early intervention is vital for children with autism and other developmental delays. It not only gives the children the best start possible, but it also gives them the best opportunity to develop to their full potential. With early intervention, some children with ASD can even make so much progress that they no longer meet the criteria for the autism spectrum when they
Some examples of early intervention include family training, speech therapy, hearing impairment services, physical therapy, and nutrition services. The NICHD suggests starting integrated development and behavioral interventions as soon as a doctor diagnoses a child with ASD or when professionals strongly suspect autism spectrum disorder.
Brightwheel’s messaging app offers a direct and secure line of communication between educators and families. You can share updates, photos, and milestones in real-time, ensuring everyone stays connected and informed. This consistent communication allows families to see how their child is progressing through their daily activities.
Autism teaching strategies
The best teaching strategies for preschoolers with autism include using visual schedules, maintaining consistent routines, and incorporating the child's specific interests into lessons. These methods reduce anxiety and create a predictable, supportive learning environment.
Preparing your classroom and lessons to support the needs of all children is important. This is especially true if one or more of your learners have an ASD diagnosis. Here are some teaching strategies to consider if you work with children on the autism spectrum.
Make a visual schedule
Children with ASD usually have difficulty understanding the language they hear. However, they often possess strengths in processing information visually. Creating a visual schedule and posting it in a prominent place provides structure and increases understanding of basic activities or events in the classroom. Visual cues can let children know what is coming up and how they should move from one activity to another which helps minimize anxiety.
Have a consistent routine
Children who find moving from one activity to another difficult will feel more settled if they are aware of what to expect ahead of time. Keeping a consistent routine while changing small tasks throughout the day and providing clear instructions about upcoming transitions can help children with ASD feel more at ease throughout the day.
Link activities to the child’s interests
Adding a child’s interests into the learning process is a great way to keep them engaged. For example, if a child likes dinosaurs, make dinosaurs a part of the lesson through songs, reading, games, counting exercises, and playtime.
Give consistent positive feedback
Giving positive feedback to children when they follow the rules or achieve key developmental goals makes them feel supported. It also increases the likelihood that they will engage in similar behavior in the future. Being consistent and descriptive when applauding a child’s behavior while conveying sincerity and enthusiasm is critical to a child’s improvement and success.
Create plenty of opportunities for practice
Children may need to practice a task or behavior many times before getting it right. Giving them opportunities to practice in different settings and with different materials can help children learn to use particular skills in other situations and places. When first introducing a task, it is also best to provide one-to-one lessons with prompts and demonstrations.
Provide opportunities to work with others
Children can get to know each other and build relationships through playing together. Children with autism, especially, can also learn through watching and imitating others. Consider ways in which you can facilitate a child’s interactions with others in a group.
Activities for children with autism
Engaging activities for children with autism focus on multisensory experiences, such as finger painting, playing with sensory bins, and creating water pouring stations. These hands-on activities accommodate different sensory processing needs while encouraging exploration and fine motor skill development.
Children with ASD have varying levels of sensory processing skills. They learn, move, interact, and pay attention in many different ways. Some may be more visual learners, while others may succeed best with hands-on activities. Providing multisensory instruction that engages multiple senses is the best way to create an inclusive learning environment that meets the needs of all children.
Here are a few activities to consider for children with autism in your classroom.
Finger paint
Let children get hands-on (and a little messy) by using their hands or feet to make art with non-toxic paints.
Create a sensory ocean
Fill a shallow storage container with sand on one side and water on the other. You can add in things like shells, toy fish, plants, and other ocean-inspired items. Children can splash in the water, dig their hands into the sand, and play with the undersea toys.
Make your own slime
Mix cornflour and water together in a bowl to make a safe and gooey slime ball. Add in food coloring and glitter to create an extra sensory experience.
Make music with instruments
If you have access to drums or maracas, bring those in for children to shake, rattle, and bang on. You can also create your own instruments, like by putting rice inside a plastic bottle or using wooden spoons on pots and pans.
Play with food
Edible sensory activities can be great for engaging children with autism. Choose soft and squishy foods, like chocolate sauce, blackberries, apple puree, or yogurt, and let them create a piece of art that looks, smells, and tastes amazing.
Create a water pouring station
Pour water into different size bottles and add various food coloring to each. Then set up various tubs and containers to pour the water into. As the water pours, children will see the colors mixing together to create new colors. You can also give the children the opportunity to pour the water themselves, which can help support fine motor skill development.
If you are looking for other engaging, challenging, and state-approved lesson ideas, brightwheel’s Experience Curriculum can save you hours every month by pairing digital lessons in the brightwheel app with hands-on learning materials mailed to you. The lessons are aligned to all 50 states' early learning standards and NAEYC and can be customized to fit the needs of your program.
April: Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, a dedicated time to celebrate neurodiversity and promote inclusive environments for individuals on the autism spectrum. Childcare programs can participate by reading inclusive books, organizing spirit weeks, and offering sensory-friendly play.
Finding ways to celebrate differences and create an inclusive learning environment is so important to helping children feel understood and supported by their caregivers. If you are looking for ways to celebrate Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month this April, consider:
- Learning about and teaching some of the histories of autism
- Reading books about ASD by authors with autism or featuring characters with autism
- Wearing blue (a color associated with calmness and acceptance), as it is the primary designated color for Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
- Giving out multisensory toys that children can play with by popping, twisting, spinning, or squishing
- Organizing an autism awareness spirit week
- Simply speaking to your preschoolers about autism—what it is and why it’s important to treat others with kindness and understanding
Frequently asked questions
Q: How can childcare programs adapt their environment for preschoolers with autism?
A: Childcare programs can adapt their environment by minimizing sensory overload, establishing quiet zones, and using clear visual boundaries. These changes help preschoolers with autism feel secure and ready to learn.
Q: What role do families play in supporting a preschooler with autism?
A: Families play a crucial role by partnering with educators to ensure consistent routines and shared strategies between home and the childcare program. Open communication helps track developmental milestones and tailor interventions effectively.
Q: Can preschoolers with autism thrive in a standard childcare program?
A: Yes, preschoolers with autism can thrive in an inclusive childcare program when educators use individualized teaching strategies, visual aids, and sensory-friendly activities. Early intervention and supportive environments make a significant positive impact on their development.
Conclusion
With April serving as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, now is the perfect time to review your teaching approach to ensure that it is inclusive toward children with ASD, or any other learning or developmental delays.
Keep consistent routines, make children’s interests a part of learning, give consistent, positive feedback, and provide plenty of opportunities for practicing new skills. Doing this will allow you to provide the best support for all children in your classroom.
