Tips for inclusion in the classroom

The UK Government provides advice for newly qualified teachers to support SEND learners, which includes autistic learners. These 8 pillars of inclusion reflect the context in which teachers are working:

• Partnerships with pupils and parents/carers;
• Planning ways to remove specific barriers to learning and participation;
• Learning from advice from colleagues in school and other professionals and from formative and summative assessments;
• Developing own record keeping/using access to school records;
• Developing understanding of how the subject/curriculum area can help to remove barriers for SEND pupils.

1 Maintaining an inclusive learning environment. Examples include…

• Layout: seating allows all pupils to see/hear the teacher
• Acoustics: background noise is reduced
• Use of wall space: resources and displays are accessible and encourage independent use

2 Multi-sensory approaches, including ICT. Examples include…

• Use of ICT
• Use of preferred learning approaches, such as auditory or visual
• Alternative communication, eg symbols
• Alternative ways of recording

3 Working with additional adults. Examples include…

• Other adults as partners not teachers
• Commitment to pupil independence
• Joint planning and review

4 Managing peer relationships. examples include…

• Flexible grouping
• Buddying/peer tutoring
• Circles of friends

5 Adult-pupil communication. Examples include…

• Language used is positive and respectful
• Careful praise/correction
• Prepared questions for individuals/groups
• Use of preferred communication style
• Giving time to think

6 Formative assessment/assessment for learning. Examples include…

• Choice of objectives/success criteria/peer assessment
• Expectations/challenges
• Communication issues

7 Motivation. Examples include…

• Engagement/enjoyment
• Rewards/praise
• Including pupil strengths/interests
• Relevant contexts
• Encouraging learning from mistakes
• Use of ICT for fun
• Can-do ethos: readiness to problem solve

8 Memory/consolidation. Examples include…

• Developing use of range of memory aids
• Helping pupils devise their own strategies for remembering