Structuring Environments for Students with Autism
Cindy Golden, OMAC Consulting
www.omacconsulting.blogspot.com
Students with autism require structure. Based on the DSM-IV (Diagnostic Statistical Manual) criteria, students with autism require several things in order to be successful in a classroom environment. They require:
? Physical Structure
? Behavioral Consistency
? Visual Organization
? Visual Supports
? Concrete Teaching Expectations
? Way to Understand Social Environment
? Clear, Simple Communication

Manding. Do you know this word as it relates to Autism and Communication? It is something you need to know about and I'll touch the very basics of what it is and why it is important.
Mand is a term that B.F. Skinner used. I would encourage you to research his work on Verbal Behavior, as I can not go into details in this post. I will define it as a verbal 'demand'. Very simply put: it is when a child makes a verbal request, in some way, for a reinforcement. Sometimes this verbal request is atypical but it is still a request for a reinforcer. It may be a noise or it may be a word or phrase.

Did you know that March 2 - 6, 2009 is Exceptional Childrens' Week? Well, if you didn't know this you are in good company. Just as a test - look on the internet for the dates of Exceptional Children's week for this year. Let me go ahead and tell you that it is very difficult to find.

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www.omacconsulting.blogspot.com