What should I do if I think there is a child in my class with Autism?

Observe carefully, review the Signs of Autism and one of the screening tools, and document any concerns.

If you notice that a child is not reaching milestones or displays any of the characteristics, have a conversation with the parents or caregivers.

You can find helpful tips for communicating with parents here.

Further information can be found in the dedicated tabs on the left (top for some mobile users). Please select a tab to view the information.

Where can I get help or advice in supporting a young child in my classroom? 

If there is a child in your classroom diagnosed with Autism, the best resource would be that child’s parents and the early intervention team.

Speak with the parent and ask for any relevant recommendations, and permission to speak with the EIT practitioners as they will not be able to communicate with you without explicit permission.

You can also ring the Irish Autism Action national offices at 044 9371680, or email at info@autismireland.ie to discuss what advice or supports may be available.

I will be enrolling a child with autism in our preschool. What can I do to help him or her adjust to the new setting? 

Transitions and new environments can be very difficult for children with autism. It is important to plan the introduction into a new setting carefully. Consider the following: 

• Prior to enrolling a child with autism, spend time speaking with the family and meeting the child to determine what supports may be necessary to create a positive early childhood experience for the child, and everyone. Consider visiting the child at home. Determine whether you and your staff will require additional input or training to support the unique communication, behaviour, or sensory needs and arrange for this early.
• Speak with the parents about the child’s preferences, as well as things the child may find distressing and strategies that help. This information should be documented into a care plan to ensure it is available to all staff. Try to prepare the environment accordingly. The child will settle much more quickly if those first visits are positives ones.
• Key worker systems, as outlined in National Standards for Preschool Services 2010, provide consistency for children and facilitate communication with the family. This is critical for the well-being of the child, particularly through this transition process. It is highly advised that settings implement a key worker system. 
• Where possible, schedule a chance for the child to visit the environment and explore the space without the other children first. Allow the child to engage with some of his or her favourite things. 
• Consider taking pictures of the environment and staff, and creating a social story for the child to review frequently at home.
• Some children may need a phased approached, starting with short visits and gradually increasing duration. 

What should I say to the other children? How can I explain autism?

Very young children are curious, and fortunately also very accepting. The early ages are the best time to inform children about differences and foster a culture of acceptance.

For young children, it will be sufficient to explain Autism as a difference in abilities.  Something such as:

• We are all alike in many ways, and also different. Friends with Autism will like many of the same things as everyone else in the class. 
• Sometimes it is very difficult for children with Autism to make friends, but they still want to have friends. Be sure to ask them to play and offer to share toys. They may not want to play today, but they might tomorrow.
• Some friends with Autism may still need to learn to talk or play well, but they will be really good at other things. They might be great at climbing, or drawing, or doing puzzles with lots of pieces.
• Friends with Autism are born this way, just like some friends are born with brown hair and others red hair. They are not sick and you can’t catch Autism from them. 
• Some things are different for a person with Autism because his or her brain works a little differently. They may hear, see, smell, feel, or taste things differently than you. Sometimes sounds or things around us that we might not even notice, will bother them.

You will find some good resources at these links:

My Friend with Autism. 

Friends Like You, Friends Like Me. 

Kit For Kids. 

and this video available on Youtube:

Where can I get more training? 

The Middletown Centre for Autism offers a regular schedule of free trainings on a range of topics.

Irish Autism Action are partnering with Early Childhood Ireland and local Childcare Committees to launch a nationwide training series available to all early childhood providers.

This should be available in early 2016, and will be featured on this website when available.

You can also access free online training covering a wide range of topics:

• Autism internet modules
• Autism Focused Internet Resources and Modules