Tips for Teaching Children Diagnosed with Autism (+ Skill Tracker Download)

Teaching and supporting autistic children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) starts with understanding how they learn and experience the world. Every autistic child has their own strengths, needs, and ways of communicating, which means that personalized strategies often work best.

When families, teachers, and caregivers know what helps a child feel understood, comfortable, and confident, learning becomes more enjoyable and meaningful. The tips below offer simple, practical ways you can support growth at home, in the classroom, and in everyday routines.

Understanding autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder affects how a child communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world around them. The word “spectrum” means autistic children have different strengths, needs, and support levels. Children diagnosed with autism may have:

• Difficulty with eye contact
• Limited or repetitive speech
• Sensory sensitivities, such as discomfort with loud noises or bright lights
• Trouble adjusting to changes in routine
• Intense focus on specific interests

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 31 children in the United States is diagnosed with ASD, which is an increase from previous years.¹ Autism rates are higher today, mostly because awareness, screening tools, and diagnostic criteria have all improved. This improvement helps identify more children than in the past. 

Supporting a child’s learning begins with recognizing how autism shapes their daily experiences and then tailoring strategies to the way they learn best. These approaches don’t have to be complicated. Try one or two out today and track your child’s progress using our downloadable Skill Tracker.

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Download Habit Tracker PDF

1. Use clear and consistent communication

Children diagnosed with autism often process language in different ways, so using short, direct sentences helps them understand better. For example, instead of saying “Keep your eyes peeled,” you might say, “Look at the picture.”

Idioms and jokes may be confusing, so concrete language is usually best. Visuals can also help: picture schedules, visual timers, or “social stories” (a story showing what is going to happen next) can help a child feel more prepared.

2. Create a structured and predictable environment

Children diagnosed with autism can feel more comfortable when their day is predictable. A visual schedule that shows a child what’s going to happen next can help them feel more in control, especially if changes in routine worry them. 

For example, during a bedtime routine, you break the process into simple steps like 1. Take a bath, 2. Put on pajamas, 3. Brush teeth, 4. Read a book. Showing these steps with pictures or short words helps your child know what to expect.

3. Focus on strengths and interests

Many autistic children have strong interests, like trains, animals, numbers, art, or a favorite character. These interests can be powerful teaching tools. If a child loves trains, you might use train-themed math problems or reading passages to make lessons more engaging and relatable.

When a child feels successful in something they care about, they are more motivated to try new things! Their interests can become the starting point for growing confidence in multiple areas of their lives.

4. Use positive reinforcement

Using positive reinforcement means rewarding a child when they complete a task or learn something new. When a child finishes a task, immediate praise or a small reward helps reinforce the skill. Some children like earning tokens, stickers, or points; others prefer extra playtime or choosing a favorite comfort item.

It’s also important to celebrate every small step. Children learn at different speeds, and a skill that seems simple to one child may take more time for another.

Related article: Helping Autistic Children Learn Hygiene Skills: A Parent's Guide

5. Be patient and flexible

Every child learns differently, and autistic children may need more time, more practice, or a different teaching method altogether. Parents, caregivers, and therapists need to stay patient and flexible. If one strategy isn’t working, try another! Keep adjusting until you find what best supports the child’s needs.

6. Promote social interaction

Social interaction can be challenging for autistic children, but with practice and your support, they can grow in this area. You can help by modeling social behavior through role-playing simple scenarios, such as asking a peer to play or practicing turn-taking.

Play is another powerful tool for learning. Games that involve sharing, turn-taking, or following simple rules help children practice communication and teamwork.

7. Support sensory needs

Some autistic children experience sensory sensitivities to sound, light, texture, or the feeling of clothing that can affect their ability to learn or stay calm. You can create a sensory-friendly space to give your child a safe place to reset when they feel overwhelmed. This space might include soft lighting, noise-canceling headphones, or calming sensory toys. Get creative and have fun setting up this space! 

💡Helpful resource: No-Cost Skill Tracker Download

Building new skills takes time, practice, and encouragement, and it helps to have a simple way to stay organized along the way. We created a skill-tracking tool you can print, hang on the fridge, and use during everyday routines. It gives families a clear place to write goals and track progress throughout the week.

 Tips for Teaching Children Diagnosed with Autism - Skill Tracker

How to use your Skill Tracker

1. Habit or Skill:
   Write down the habit or skill you want to focus on this week. It can be anything that fits your child’s routine, like brushing teeth, practicing new words, or taking sensory breaks.
   
   
2. Weekly Goal:
   Choose a simple, clear goal for the week. Examples might be “Use three new words,” “Brush teeth on their own,” or “Take a calming break when needed.”
   
   
3. How We’ll Practice It:
   Describe how your child will work on this habit each day. This column could look like joining a short play activity, using a calming tool, or completing most steps of a routine with less help.
   
   
4. Encouragement:
   Write down what will help motivate your child, like stickers, choosing a toy, an extra few minutes of playtime, or anything else that makes them feel proud and excited.
   
   
5. Daily Check-Ins:
   Each day, simply check the box if your child practiced the habit or skill. Don’t worry about perfection; every small step counts!

Get started with ABA therapy for autism at ABC

At Action Behavior Centers, we help children build communication skills, social skills, and independence through individualized, evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. Families also receive training and support so they feel confident at home and throughout the therapy journey.

If you are concerned about your child’s development or want help getting answers, we offer no-cost autism evaluation support to help you get started. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a tour!