English at KS1 and autistic spectrum disorder

The National Curriculum for English is statutory in all maintained, mainstream schools up to and including key stage 4. An appropriate version of the curriculum is used in maintained special schools. Key Stage 1 (KS1) covers years 1-2, children aged 5-7 years.

These sections refer to high-functioning autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Begin by reading about the main challenges for children with autism across subject areas. 

In addition, at KS1 children with Asperger’s will have great difficulties in any task which requires imagination (such as creative writing) or projecting to another time in history or a different culture beyond their direct experience.

You can:

• Support the child by being consistent, making logical links, and by maintaining routines. Use a visual timetable, now and next boards, and social stories. (A ‘now and next board’ is a board with two symbolic representations or photos: one is of what the pupil is currently doing and the other is what they will be doing next).
• Tap into the child’s obsessions to establish contact and provide subject matter that will motivate them. If the child is very keen on cars, base some of their work on that.
• Use as many visual props as possible to help the child understand concepts (this is good practice for most disabled children). Giving the child something to hold and feel will help them remember more readily.
• Try introducing a social skills group involving the child plus others. Make it fun - use visual resources to create and discuss stories and children’s news. The group can support turn taking with discussions about how each child feels, what each child’s face will show when they are happy, sad, angry or frightened (use a safety mirror for the child to see their expressions).
• Read the Social and Emotional Aspect of Learning (SEAL) booklets, published by the Department for Education. The special educational needs section (the Silver set), for small group work has good ideas.
• Don’t assume that because the child has a good vocabulary they understand what they or others are saying; they may parrot what they hear without understanding it.