Autism Spectrum Disorders

Supporting Young People with ASD

Part 1: Structure and Safety

Be Consistent: Use the same communication methods and routines.

Stick to a Schedule: If a young person is in a highly scheduled environment e.g. snack at a certain time, stick to it where possible this will ensure the young person is calm and relaxed.

Reward Good Behaviour: Positive reinforcement can go a long way – make an effort to catch the young person doing something good.

Create a safe space: Ensure there is a safe space for the young person to go if a situation is becoming too much (for some people this is a certain location on a floor, sometime under a table even in a cupboard)

Part 2: Nonverbal Communication

Look for nonverbal cues: Look out for facial expressions and sounds and gestures. This will help let you know how a young person is feeling.

Understand the behaviour: If a young person acts up or out of character it is important to try and understand why, especially in terms of a meltdown. Think about what non-verbal cues might have been present before the situation.

Sensory Sensitivities: Many young people with an ASD also have a sensory sensitivity such as light, sound, touch, it is important to understand how these affect a young person and what can be done to support them to cope with these.