EDSN 506 - Teaching Students with Low Functioning Autism (3)

The number of students with autism is increasing, making it more likely that teachers in both general education classrooms and special education programs will encounter students with low-functioning autism. These students have different needs than students who are considered higher functioning, so it is essential to be prepared before these students enter your classroom. 

In this course, you will learn the strengths, needs, and challenges of students with low-functioning autism, particularly the reasons behind how they learn and behave the way they do. You will use this knowledge to build communication skills, behavior management interventions, and academic strategies for these students, with the end goal of helping them transition between educational levels into post-high school plans. You’ll cultivate techniques for addressing safety issues and common concerns educators have about teaching students with low-functioning autism. You’ll also gain valuable insights from parents and classmates of students with autism. 

No two students with autism are exactly alike. However, by the end of this course, you’ll have a toolbox of resources and strategies that you can use to best meet their individual needs.