Practical Strategies for Supporting Children with Autism when tutoring

The purpose of the previous blog was to introduce you to autism. My goal here is to give you some practical ideas that educators and tutors can use to better support neurodiverse learners. These are just the tip of the iceberg, but I hope it will give you something to consider.

Understanding the Importance of Environment

Online Learning Environment

When you consider the online environment, you presume that is at their discretion as they are sat in a location away from your own. However, you are also contributing to it with your screen that you are sharing.

If a person is sensitive to things in their visual environment if you have too many things going on with your screen – multiple tabs open, multiple colours, images, etc this may cause a distraction that may make it difficult for them to concentrate.

Face-to-Face Learning Environment

This is where you may make much more of an impact. Some children may seek out sensory stimulation, while others might find it overwhelming. The new perfume that you are wearing may affect someone who is highly sensitive to smell. If you are working in your home, think about the air fresheners, the displays on the wall, the lighting. Florescent lighting though far less commonly used these days may make the working environment intolerable for them.

Communication Strategies

Remember that children with ASD may take things literally. For example, while explaining fractions, if you say: "cutting cake into even-sized pieces," they may become overly concerned that the cake will crumble. What seems logical to you might require adaptation for the student.

At the beginning of a session, explain the lesson plan and check if it matches their expectations. It's important to ensure that what you're teaching aligns with what they hope to achieve from the session, and they are prepared for what they will be covering.

Handling Emotions and Building Confidence

If a child becomes frustrated, give them time and space. Speak softly, be patient, and don’t take any anger personally. Use phrases like, “Would you like to do something different?” or “This is your time—if you’d prefer to do something else, that’s fine.”

Gradually work through topics at their pace, starting with areas where they feel confident. Celebrate small victories, and when needed, circle back to more challenging topics once they’ve built trust and confidence.

Individualising the Learning Experience

Tailor lessons to their preferred style of learning. Some may prefer formal worksheets, while others might enjoy more interactive methods like games or discussions. If exams are stressful, use creative alternatives (e.g., storytelling or codebreakers) to introduce necessary concepts.

Working with children who have ASD requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt. But remember that every child is different, they are not defined by a label. Get to know them and what works for them. Like I say these suggests are just a few of many and each one needs to be considered along side the child you are working with.

We are putting together a training course that each of our franchisees and tutors. If you are interested in having access to the course at an introductory price of just £79, let me know and I will send you the link once completed.

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