Teaching Preschoolers About Autism

When you have a preschooler in your class with autism, it is important for the other preschoolers to understand what autism is and what it means to their classroom. You can avoid many behavior problems by sitting down with the preschoolers and teaching them what autism really means.

Most preschoolers will not understand why their classmate acts differently and may have questions about things that they see. A simple introduction to autism and the things that make each of us special will help them to better understand why their classmate with autism acts the way that they do.

What makes you special?

Ask all of the preschoolers to tell you something that makes them special. There are so many things that make each preschooler special. When they have all come up with something that makes them special tell them that there are a few things that make their classmate with autism special too.

Start with several special things that they may have in common with the other preschoolers such as, something they like to do, a pet that they have, or siblings. After you have talked about some general things that make the preschooler with autism special, move on to the unique things they may do that are a result of their autism.

The symptoms of autism are so varied that it is important to focus just on the things that apply to the preschooler with autism that is in your classroom. Some things that you could talk about may be that their eyes and ears work better than other people’s so they may be scared by loud noises or bright lights. If the preschooler in your classroom does not like to be touched talk about what it means to give them some space. Explain to the preschoolers that their classmate may like to do the same thing over and over again and that it’s okay if they do that.

We Work Together

Explain to the preschoolers that they are all part of the class and that it is important for all of them to help each other and be kind to each other. Let them know that it’s okay to treat the preschooler with autism the same as everyone else in the class. Tell them that just like sometimes they may not be in the mood to do certain things, their classmate with autism may not want to participate sometimes.

Ask the preschoolers what it means to work together. Tell them that everyone is part of the class and everyone makes the class special. Talk about how everyone has feelings and it is important to treat everyone in the class with kindness to make the classroom a nice place to be.

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