I just discovered that my county uses a regular curriculum with our autistic students. How stupid to think that this would benefit these children who need an entirely different approach.
These are some ideas that I used when I had autistic children. ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND THAT THE BRAIN LOVES MUSIC, MOVEMENT, CROSSING MIDLINE AND WATER.
Water bottles on every desktop
Morning Songs Begin the day with music and movement. Teach all skills using songs while crossing midline.
Balloon Ballet Inflate a balloon and have the children move to classical music while keeping the balloon from touching the floor.
Obstacle Course Use balance beam, hula hoops, milk cartons, Cross-foot patterns and crawling tunnel.
Puppet theater Have children decorate a lunch bag to look like themselves. Have them talk to each other in the theater. Purchase animal puppets and let them act out stories like the Three Little Pigs. Autistic children may speak much more when using a puppet.
Crawl to music to build hemispheric transcenion allowing them to access both hemispheres of the brain.
EARLY START PROGRAMS SHOULD BE FILLED WITH MUSIC MOVEMENT AND MAKE-BELIEVE. FUN FUN FUN
P.E.A.R.L 