Starting school can be an exciting yet challenging time for kids with autism and special needs. Visual supports can play a crucial role in helping early learners feel more comfortable and successful in the classroom. Here are some simple steps to ensure a smooth start to the school year:
By incorporating these simple steps and visual supports, you can create a positive and structured learning environment for kids with autism and special needs. Remember, every child is unique, so be flexible and adjust the supports as needed to meet each child’s individual needs.
It’s such an exciting time, especially for our littlest learners who thrive with hands-on, visual, and sensory-rich activities. If you’re working with children in a preschool/Kindergarten, special education setting, these transition table-top activities can be a gentle and engaging way to ease into routines while learning to transition between tasks. Here’s a list of 5 simple tabletop activities perfect for those early days back, with a focus on fine motor skills, early literacy, and numeracy:
1. Playdough letter & Number Mats
Squish, roll, press! Create custom laminated mats with each child’s name and numbers 1–5. Let them form the letters and numerals using playdough snakes, encouraging finger strength and shape recognition. Add cookie cutters or rollers for extra sensory fun.
2. Pom-Pom Drop with Tongs
Set up cups labeled with numbers and a bin of colorful pom-poms. Children use tongs or adapted tweezers to transfer the pom-poms into the correct cup—fantastic for counting practice and fine motor coordination. Try textured pom-poms for added tactile input.
3. Alphabet Soup Sensory Tray
Fill a shallow bin with dry pasta or rice and scatter plastic or foam letters inside. Provide spoons, scoops, or small ladles for learners to “scoop” letters out and match to visual cue cards or alphabet mats. Engages multiple senses while working on letter ID.
4. Stickers, Dots, Letters and Numbers
Offer large printouts of letters and numbers and invite children to place small circle stickers (like garage sale dots) along the lines. It’s calming, fun, and fantastic for developing finger dexterity and spatial awareness.
5. Build-a-Tower Counting Game
Provide numbered cards (1–10) alongside a set of stacking blocks or Duplo bricks. Kids draw a card and build a tower with the matching number of blocks. Add visual supports for non-verbal communication—like number boards or thumbs-up visuals—for celebrating each success.
Visual supports are a superpower in the special ed classroom—especially for non-verbal learners! They make abstract concepts concrete, help with transitions and understanding, and boost independence.
These low-prep, hands-on activities are not only accessible for non-verbal kiddos, but they’re also filled with opportunities for choice-making, shared attention, and joyful participation.
As an elementary teacher, you’re more than just an educator—you’re a guide, a mentor, and sometimes even a safe harbor for students navigating big emotions and complex social worlds. For students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the classroom can be both a place of opportunity and a source of sensory or social overwhelm.
The good news? With a few intentional strategies, you can make a huge difference. By fostering social growth and supporting positive behavior, you create an environment where students with autism feel seen, heard, and empowered.
1. Create Predictability with Visual Structure
Students with autism often feel most secure in environments that are structured and predictable. A consistent classroom routine reduces anxiety and helps them focus on learning.
Strategies You Can Use:
Daily visual schedules (use icons or pictures for younger students).
Timers for transitions between activities.
“First-Then” boards (e.g., “First finish math, then iPad time”) to help with task motivation.
💡 Tip: Post the schedule at eye level and refer to it throughout the day.
Students with autism may not always connect their behavior with social consequences. Positive reinforcement helps make that connection clear and motivating.
Strategies You Can Use:
Immediate praise (“I love how you used your words to ask for help!”).
Sticker charts or token boards with small rewards.
Class-wide systems that include visual reminders and cues.
💡 Focus on effort and progress—not perfection.
4. Create a Calm Corner or Regulation Zone
All students benefit from self-regulation tools, but for students with autism, a quiet, safe space is essential for managing sensory overload or emotional stress.
Strategies You Can Use:
Set up a “calm corner” with noise-reducing headphones, fidgets, books, or a weighted lap pad.
Practice calming strategies during calm moments (deep breathing, wall pushes, mindfulness).
Offer regular sensory breaks, especially after transitions or assemblies.
💡 Make the calm space part of the routine—not just a place for “bad days.”
5. Support Peer Connections with Guidance
Friendships are important, but forming them can be tough. You can nurture social opportunities with a bit of structure.
Strategies You Can Use:
Assign peer buddies for classroom activities.
Use circle time to practice turn-taking and sharing ideas.
Play cooperative games with clear rules and predictable outcomes.
💡 Pair students intentionally and coach them through interactions as needed.
6. Partner with Families and Support Staff
You don’t have to do it alone. Parents, special educators, and therapists are invaluable partners in supporting your students.
Strategies You Can Use:
Share positive moments from the week via email or a home-school notebook.
Ask parents what works at home—sometimes they have powerful insights!
Use a consistent language and strategy across home and school if possible.
💡 Team meetings and IEPs are more productive when built on shared goals and mutual respect.
Bonus: Tools You Can Use Right Away
Here are a few free or low-cost resources to get you started:
Supporting students with autism isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing things intentionally. With clear expectations, visual supports, and compassionate teaching, you’re creating a classroom where everyone has the tools to grow.
You might not see change overnight—but each connection, each kind word, and each opportunity to succeed adds up.
Are you stuck trying to explain social situations to a child with autism, you’re definitely not alone. That’s where social skills stories come in—and they can be total game-changers!
Grab a free Classroom expectations poster at the end of this post!
A social skills story is a simple, short story that helps kids understand everyday situations, new experiences, or tough emotions. They’re usually written with pictures and clear, calm language—perfect for helping children know what to expect and how to respond.
Think of it like giving your child a friendly “heads-up” before something happens.
Kids with autism often like routines and predictability. Social skills stories give them a little “preview” of what’s coming. That makes things feel less scary and more manageable. Whether it’s going to the dentist, starting a new class, or learning how to ask for help, social stories can make things a whole lot smooth.
Here’s a super simple example:
Going to the Doctor
Sometimes, I go to the doctor. The doctor helps me stay healthy. The doctor might look in my ears or check my heart. It’s okay to feel nervous. I can take deep breaths. After the visit, I can go home and play!
You can include pictures of the child, the place, or the activity to make it feel more personal.
Before new experiences (like the first day of school)
To teach social skills (like saying “hello”)
To help with changes in routine (like a substitute teacher)
To support emotional regulation (like what to do when feeling upset)
Use clear, positive language
Keep it short and to the point
Include pictures if you can
Read it together a few times before the event
Involve your child in making it, if they enjoy that!
Social Skills Stories are a gentle, helpful way to support kids with autism in navigating the world. They build confidence, reduce anxiety, and encourage independence—and that’s something every child deserves.
Classroom management in a special education setting isn’t just about keeping order—it’s about creating a space where every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to learn. Whether you’re a new teacher or just looking for a refresher, this ultimate classroom management plan will help you build a strong foundation for success.
1. Set Clear Expectations from Day One
Students thrive when they know what’s expected of them. Establish clear, simple rules and routines early on. Use visual aids, pictures, or even role-playing to reinforce rules. Keep the language consistent and positive—for example:
Connection comes before correction. Get to know your students—what they like, what triggers them, what helps them calm down. A strong teacher-student relationship is the cornerstone of good behavior. Take time to:
Greet students warmly each day
Show interest in their hobbies
Celebrate small wins
3. Structure the Environment for Success
A well-organized classroom can reduce distractions and promote independence. Try this:
Use labeled bins and clear visuals for materials
Create defined spaces (e.g., a calm-down corner, group work area)
Keep transitions smooth with visual schedules or timers
4. Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Anticipate challenges before they happen. For example:
Use sensory breaks for students who get overstimulated
Provide fidgets or alternative seating for students with focus issues
Modify tasks to meet individual needs
Being proactive also means recognizing and praising positive behaviors more often than correcting negative ones.
5. Use a Consistent Behavior Plan
Consistency is key. Choose a behavior management system that works for your group, such as:
Token economies (students earn points or stickers for positive behavior)
Color charts or behavior contracts
Positive reinforcement systems customized to the student (like earning extra iPad time)
Make sure to communicate the plan with paraprofessionals, parents, and anyone else working with your students.
6. Collaborate with Your Team
You’re not in this alone. Collaborate with:
Paraprofessionals
Therapists (OT, speech, etc.)
Parents and caregivers
Share strategies, stay consistent, and support one another.
7. Reflect and Adjust
No plan is perfect—and that’s okay. What works for one group might not work for the next. Reflect regularly:
What’s working well?
What needs tweaking?
How are the students responding?
Stay flexible and be willing to change what’s not working.
Final Thoughts
Effective classroom management in special education is all about structure, relationships, and consistency. When students feel safe and understood, real learning can happen. With a solid plan in place, you can build a classroom where every child has the opportunity to shine.
