Foundations for Learning - Autistic Children in ECEC

This document outlines the essential foundations necessary for autistic children to thrive and learn effectively within Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centers. These foundations encompass building positive relationships with staff, providing support for sensory and emotional regulation, and establishing effective communication methods. Once these core needs are met, autistic children can more readily engage with learning opportunities and reach their full potential. It normally takes up to 10 weeks for a Autistic Child to feel secure in a new environment. Once they have settled in, then you can see their true skills and develop an individual learning program/portfolio. 

1. A Positive Relationship with Staff: Fostering Safety and Trust

The cornerstone of any successful learning experience for an autistic child is a positive and trusting relationship with the staff at the ECEC center. This relationship provides a sense of safety and security, which is crucial for reducing anxiety and promoting engagement. The aim of the first 10 weeks for a neuro-divergent child, should be for the first 8-10 weeks to have fun, to follow their lead, and create a safe and fun space. Across this time you can observe their skills and develop a learning portfolio based on their strengths and interests. 

Why is it important?

• Reduces Anxiety: Autistic children often experience heightened anxiety in new or unfamiliar environments. As many children do not have communication skills to navigate new environments like neurotypical children, it is critical that we create an environment for them where they feel safe. 

• Builds Trust: Trust is essential for autistic children to feel comfortable enough to explore, learn, and interact with their environment and peers.

• Provides a Secure Base: A positive relationship with staff creates a secure base from which the child can venture out and explore their surroundings, knowing they have a safe haven to return to.

• Enhances Engagement: When a child feels safe and connected, they are more likely to participate in activities and engage with learning materials.

• Once the child feels safe and secure, their true skills come out and you can really get a good base line for learning goals. This may take 8-10 weeks or more with some children, and that is OK.

How to build positive relationships

• Collaboration with Parents/Guardians: Work closely with parents/guardians before day one. Ask what the child’s favourite activities are and have them available. If the child has a toy they want to bring from home, let them bring it, this will help them feel safe. Have a clear plan i.e. the first week, they start for one hour a day, then review. Plan for success. 

• Predictability: Use visual schedules and social stories to help the child understand routines and expectations, reducing anxiety. They may not engage with these initially, but if they know where to access them, as they increase their confidence, they may want to look at them across the day. Use photos to start with that show the basic routine of the day. 

• Consistency: Where possible, assign an educator who will be the child's main point of contact at morning transition. This provides predictability and stability.

• Follow their lead: Let them lead the way, if they do not want to engage in the childcare routines, that is ok, your goal is to make them feel happy and safe. 

• Shared Interests: Identify and engage with the child's special interests to build rapport and create positive interactions.

• Active observation: Pay attention to the child's verbal and nonverbal cues to understand their needs and feelings.

• Patience: Understand that building trust takes time. Be patient and persistent in your efforts to connect with the child. Follow their lead and look for opportunities to engage. 

2. Support for Sensory & Emotional Regulation: Creating a Calming Environment

Many autistic children experience sensory sensitivities and difficulties with emotional regulation. Providing support in these areas is essential for creating a calming and supportive environment where they can thrive.

Why is it important?

• Reduces Overstimulation: Sensory sensitivities can lead to overstimulation, which can trigger anxiety, meltdowns, and withdrawal.

• Promotes Emotional Stability: Difficulties with emotional regulation can make it challenging for autistic children to manage their feelings and behaviors.

• Enhances Focus: When sensory and emotional needs are met, children are better able to focus on learning and engaging with their environment.

• Supports Social Interaction: Emotional regulation is crucial for navigating social situations and building positive relationships with peers.

How to support sensory and emotional regulation

• Sensory Assessment: Conduct a sensory assessment to identify the child's specific sensory sensitivities and preferences. If the child has an OT, get their input, if not observe the child over time, observe their reaction to different types of sensory input, this will give you information on how to support their sensory needs.

• Environmental Modifications: Modify the environment to minimize sensory overload. This may include reducing noise levels, dimming lights, and providing quiet spaces.

• Sensory Tools: Provide access to sensory tools such as fidget toys, weighted blankets, and noise-canceling headphones. This is ok and you can teach other neurotypical children why the child with Autism needs this support. 

• Sensory Breaks: Incorporate regular sensory breaks into the child's daily routine.

• Emotional Regulation Strategies: Incidentally teach emotional regulation strategies

• Visual Supports: Use visual supports such as emotion charts and social stories to help the child understand and manage their emotions.

• Calming Corner: Offer an area that includes calming activities such as reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature.

• Support Transitions: Prepare child for any changes to new sensory environments

• Collaboration with Therapists: Work closely with occupational therapists and other professionals to develop and implement sensory and emotional regulation strategies.

3. A Means to Communicate and to Understand: Bridging the Communication Gap

Effective communication is essential for autistic children to express their needs, understand instructions, and interact with others. Providing a means to communicate and to understand is crucial for promoting their social and emotional development.

Why is it important?

• Reduces Frustration: Communication difficulties can lead to frustration and anxiety for both the child and the caregiver.

• Promotes Understanding: Effective communication helps the child understand instructions, expectations, and social cues.

• Enhances Social Interaction: Communication is essential for building relationships with peers and participating in social activities.

• Supports Learning: Communication is crucial for accessing information, asking questions, and expressing understanding.

How to facilitate communication and understanding

• Staff Culture: Encourage All Forms of Communication: Value and encourage all forms of communication, including verbal, nonverbal, and AAC

• Individualized Communication Approach: Recognize that each autistic child communicates differently and requires an individualized approach. Watch and observe and the child will teach you how they communicate.

• Predictable routines visually supported: Have a photo schedule available in one location for ALL children to access if they want to know what is happening across the day. Remove activities when they have finished. 

• Choice: Provide lots of visual choices for the Autistic Child Across the day

• Universal Communication supports: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): You can create communication boards in the natural environment and have them available for all children. 

• Visual Supports: Remember Autistic Children are visual learners, so teach visually where possible

• One up rule: i.e. If the child has only one word, then communicate to them using 2 words only

• Clear and Concise Language: Use clear and concise language when speaking to the child, paired with visual supports. 

• Gestures and Body Language: Use gestures and body language to reinforce verbal communication. Choose 5 key word sigs that all staff can be trained in across the center and use consistently for all children. 

• Teach the other children: how to communicate with the child, i.e. Call their name first, then say… 

• Social Stories: Use social stories to teach social skills and explain social situations. Have available for all children.

• Engage with the child’s Occupational Therapists: Work closely with speech therapists to develop and implement communication strategies.

  
  

4. Learning Can Happen: Building Upon a Strong Foundation

Once these three key foundations – positive relationships, sensory and emotional regulation, and effective communication – are in place, autistic children are better equipped to engage with learning opportunities and reach their full potential.

Next Steps: Developing an All about me Profile, and an Individual Learning plan.