Autistic students in ESL Classroom

What is autism?

• A disorder with only one main characteristic

• A disorder with no repetitive patterns of behaviors and interests

• A developmental disorder with persistent difficulties in social relationships and repetitive patterns of behaviors and interests

• A disorder with no specific characteristics

What is a common stereotype about autistic people and language?

• Autistic people have exceptional linguistic talent

• Autistic people have problems with learning languages

• Autistic people have no issues with small talk or understanding metaphors

• Autistic people have no impact on specific language skills

What words and symbols are preferred by the autistic community?

• Autism Spectrum Disorder and blue puzzle symbol

• Autism Spectrum Condition and rainbow infinity symbol

• Autism Spectrum Disorder and rainbow infinity symbol

• Autism Spectrum Condition and blue puzzle symbol

How can you make your classroom more inclusive for autistic students?

• Label a behavior as lazy or disorganized

• Value collaboration over working on your own

• Only provide group interactions

• Offer students options on who to work with

What should you do to avoid sensory overstimulation for autistic students?

• Use bright lighting and pay attention to external noise

• Use bright lighting and ignore external noise

• Use cool and calm colors and pay attention to external noise

• Use cool and calm colors and ignore external noise

What should you do if you notice a student is uncomfortable with change?

• Ask them to leave the classroom

• Force them to adapt to the change

• Allow them to stay in the same seat or work with the same classmate

• Ignore their discomfort and proceed with the change

What should you do to help autistic students with metaphors and idioms?

• Avoid explaining metaphors and idioms to avoid confusion

• Spend extra time explaining any metaphors, idioms, or any phrasing in English

• Ignore their confusion with metaphors and idioms

• Teach only the language and ignore social skills and norms

What should you do to make your classroom more inclusive for autistic students?

• Teach only the language and ignore social skills and norms

• Teach social skills and norms, especially if these differ from the students’ country of origin

• Avoid explaining social skills and norms

• Teach only the language and ignore social skills and norms

What should you do to make your classroom more inclusive for autistic students?

• Avoid any new routine or element in the class

• Ignore the need for set patterns and routines

• Introduce sudden changes without any explanation

• Follow set patterns, routines and lesson structures

What should you do to make your classroom more inclusive for autistic students?

• Conduct student surveys but do not make them anonymous

• Avoid conducting student surveys

• Conduct student surveys to learn about your students’ preferences for interaction patterns or classroom activities

• Do not strive for more inclusion and diversity