What can general education teachers do to help students with autism in high school?

Lots! Many, maybe even most, students with autism will be in the general education classes. Because students on the Autism Spectrum have difficulty reading social cues without proper supports they can be be shunned by peers and labeled annoying/troublemakers by their teachers. Employing a "hidden curriculum" strategy by general education teachers can be very effective & helpful for the student. It is also very low prep and easy to implement.

The “hidden curriculum” is the set of rules that are not directly taught, but are assumed to be known. The hidden curriculum can represent many things and is different for each student. Hidden curriculum's are found in social interactions, body language, idioms, metaphors, slang and/or classroom routines. One student with autism may understand that he needs to not talk to a peer when the teacher is talking, but may not understand that he also needs to pay attention to his peers during discussion.

So how do you use the hidden curriculum? First, identify behaviors that are leading students to be shunned, “troublemakers,” or driving you nuts! If you have time interview their parents/other teachers to find the largest areas of need. Talk to their other or past teachers. Make those lunch room gossip sessions useful! (or those oh so valuable staff development classes?)

Then make a visual of “Classroom Guidelines” of rules for the student to follow. They may sound obvious like...when in class, it is appropriate to answer 4 questions during the discussion. Answering more than that is not giving other students a chance to answer.....or when in class keep pokemon cards in your backpack. It is ok to take them out after you have finished the assignment.....

Visually post or present the student with a list as a teaching tool and reminder, it can be hung up in their area or put in their notebook. Reward students with praise when they follow their “hidden” guidelines independently, do not punish when they need visual or verbal reminders.

Read more about low prep strategies for students with autism, hidden curriculum,and autism resources.