31: 5 Behavior Tips for the Start of the Year

Autism Academy 360

In this episode, we share five essential behavior tips to help teachers support students with autism at the start of the school year. The first tip is to pair yourself with positive reinforcement, a strategy discussed in depth in episode 9. Getting to know the child is the second tip, emphasizing the importance of conducting preference assessments, spending time with the student, and communicating with their parents. The third tip advises against overwhelming students with too many directions and activities at once, recommending a simple and gradual approach with regular breaks.

The fourth tip stresses the importance of using visual aids from day one. Teachers are encouraged to have visual schedules ready and to model their use, rather than waiting to see what the students might need. The final tip is to reinforce good behavior immediately, whether through a token economy, verbal praise, or allowing students to earn rewards. This positive reinforcement should be tailored to each student and evolve throughout the year, but it must begin on the first day.

Resources Mentioned:

• Token Boards
• Visual Schedules
• Visual directions

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 9

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