The Basics of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Training Series

Regional Autism Advisory Council of

Southwest Ohio (RAAC-SWO)

RAAC Training Committee 2011

Training Series Modules

Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence and Primary Characteristics

Module Two: Physical Characteristics of Autism

Module Three: Cognition and Learning in Autism

Module Four: Getting the Student Ready to Learn

Module Five: Structuring the Classroom Environment

Module Six: Using Reinforcement in the Classroom

Training Series Modules

Module Seven: Autism and Sensory Differences

Module Eight: Sensory in the Classroom

Module Nine: Communication and Autism

Module Ten: Communication in the Classroom

Module Eleven: Behavior Challenges and Autism

Module Twelve: Understanding Behavior in Students with Autism

Training Series ModulesModule Thirteen: Social Skills in the School

Environment

Module Fourteen: Functional Behavior Assessment

Module Fifteen: Working Together as a Team

Module Sixteen: Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach

Module Seventeen: Special Issues of Adolescence

Module Eighteen: Safety and Autism

Module Nineteen: Special Issues: High School, Transition, and Job Readiness

Training Series ModulesModule Twenty: Asperger Syndrome: Managing

and Organizing the Environment

Module Twenty-One: Asperger Syndrome: Addressing Social Skills

Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach

Students with ASD may not learn leisure skills automatically.

Skills can range from:

None Limited

Big Idea

Leisure skills need to be taught.

Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach

Leisure activities are an important part of everyone’s life.

Students with ASD may have limited interests.

We need to teach new activities to go with their favorite activities so they have more choices.

Strategies to Increase Leisure Skills

Some will have preferred leisure skills unique to their special interests.

If the student has a particular interest use that to guide leisure activities. (i.e. Likes music – listen to music, play music, go to concerts, Likes food – teaching them to cook)

Some activities will need to be changed to be successful. (i.e. recipe for cooking should be broken into simple steps with pictures)

Strategies to Increase Leisure Skills

A new activity will need to be taught step by step with help and practice.

Use a few clear words with visual and physical help when teaching an activity.

Strategies to Increase Leisure Skills

Leisure activities can be done alone or as a group.

Choices are important.Choice making may need to be taught.Have a list or pictures of choices. Have a variety of activities so the student does not

get stuck in the routine of doing the same activity again and again.

Big Idea

Help the student with ASD choose a variety of activities so they do not get stuck doing the same thing over and over again.