This digital portfolio is designed to provide practical interventions and strategies that teachers can implement in their classrooms to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). An ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the brain’s growth and two specific areas of development, social communication, and restricted, repetitive behaviour or interests (Rogers, 2013). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is used to diagnose an ASD. The number of children with an ASD is increasing and school staff are challenged to effectively accommodate this growing population (Frieden, Joffe, Cono, Richards, & Iademarco, 2014). All interventions and strategies recommended in this digital portfolio are supported by current research findings.
How To Use This Digital Portfolio
Step 1: Read the case study about Tom, a six year old boy with an ASD. Step 2: Click on each identified issue that is located in the navigation bar. This will take you to a page to read about how this issue affects Tom, his peers, the teacher and his family. Practical strategies that can be used in the classroom will then be recommended for each issue. Step 3: Click on ‘Reflection’ to read my reflection regarding my growth as a pre-service teacher and my engagement in this assignment for SPE3002: Autism.