Activity Schedules Helping Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders in General Education Classrooms Manage Transition Issues

Kate, a first-grade general education teacher, has a new student with Asperger's syndrome in her classroom. John has a very difficult time moving from one activity to the next. Often he will simply refuse to transition to the next activity by sitting down on the floor and not moving. Other times he will scream and physically lash out at his peers and the teacher. Kate noticed that the problem behaviors usually occur during a change in his anticipated daily routines. These outbursts are very disruptive to the rest of the class, and some of the other students have begun to avoid John during classroom activities. John's parents report similar difficulties at home during transitions or changes in his schedule. Kate needs to find some research-based strategies to help John more readily accept changes in his schedule and daily activities.