Classroom Setup
What's Important?
All classrooms will look slightly different, however this program is designed to help students with autism become independent members of society. Although this is just the beginning stages of their school career, it is still essential to teach independent living skills.
As educators we must create a successful classroom set-up that is designed specifically for students with autism. The use of furniture, carpet, carpet pieces, bookshelves, desks, and much more should and can be utilized. Teachers are "classroom designers" and will need to think just as that, a designer, who will systematically mix functional work spaces, efficient data collection systems, visual supports, individualized materials, and organized routines and procedures, to create and sustain an effective autism classroom.
Since students with autism tend to be visual learners, it is important for the design of the classroom to exhibit clear visual boundaries. This will help students who may have a difficult time establishing their own boundaries by creating parameters by which they can function. The physical design of the class should make certain that the first activity is easy for students to get to. In addition, the student’s space should be clearly defined either with a photo or the child’s name. Photos, picture icons or written words posted around the room that indicate the names of various areas and activities of the classroom are a necessity for helping students, who are visual learners, to navigate through their environment. The teacher will also need to make sure that the data collection system is systematically in or near each area where data will need to be collected. Sometimes folders and binders help with this.
The physical design of the classroom will also consist of the various areas of the classroom. Areas of the classroom should be specific and used for one activity only, when possible. When setting up the room, be sure to include the following areas which tend to work well in most autism classrooms:
Since students with autism tend to be visual learners, it is important for the design of the classroom to exhibit clear visual boundaries. This will help students who may have a difficult time establishing their own boundaries by creating parameters by which they can function. The physical design of the class should make certain that the first activity is easy for students to get to. In addition, the student’s space should be clearly defined either with a photo or the child’s name. Photos, picture icons or written words posted around the room that indicate the names of various areas and activities of the classroom are a necessity for helping students, who are visual learners, to navigate through their environment. The teacher will also need to make sure that the data collection system is systematically in or near each area where data will need to be collected. Sometimes folders and binders help with this.
The physical design of the classroom will also consist of the various areas of the classroom. Areas of the classroom should be specific and used for one activity only, when possible. When setting up the room, be sure to include the following areas which tend to work well in most autism classrooms:
- Independent work stations
- 1:1 or 2:1 work areas
- Sensory-motor areas/spaces
- Structured play spaces
- Small group areas
- Large group areas
Due to the student’s tendency to be easily distracted, you want to be sure to have low distraction levels in your classroom. This includes visual distractions such as hanging items and auditory distractions such as music playing during instructional times. Another distracting thing that some people tend to forget is the movement of chairs from one area of the room to the next. If at all possible, try to get enough chairs so that they are in each place you need them. This will eliminate the need to move them around the room during instructional time. If appliances are distracting, they should be removed, placed out of reach or covered.