Teaching individuals with Autism or those who fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) requires using a multi-educational approach. Everyone has a specific learning style in order to retain information. As educators, targeting as many learning styles as possible when implementing a fire and life safety program to those under the Spectrum, can result in a higher success rate for them to absorb, process and retain the information.
Types of learners:
Auditory: These learners have highly developed auditory skills and are generally effective speakers. They think in words rather than pictures. It is best present with lectures, discussions, brainstorming exercises, and reading out loud.
Visual: Tend to think in pictures and need to create vivid mental images to retain information. It is best to use charts, pictures (
Musical/Rhythmic: These learners think in sounds, rhythms and patterns. Possible ways to teach are singing, tapping out rhythms, or listening to songs about target message.
Bodily/Kinesthetic: Have good eye-hand coordination and balance, express themselves through movement, and learn by interacting with the space around them. This group learns best by hands-on activities, and acting/mimicking,
Logical/Mathematical: They typically ask a lot of questions and try to find patterns in order to make connections between pieces of information. This group learns best by classifying and categorizing activities (sorting) and controlled experiments.
It is important to note that some individuals may be extremely sound or touch sensitive and/or react negatively to certain objects/colors/smells. Take the time to research and observe your audience prior to implementing a fire and life safety program. Generic fire department programs will most likely not be suitable for this audience therefore an Individualized Program Plan (IPP) may have to be created with appropriate outcomes, materials and methods.
For information on standard programming terminology and creating programs for individuals with Autism go to:
http://www.sncarc.org/images/fireandlifesafety909.pdf
Laura Lee, PFLSE/FPI
Georgina Fire Department (
Developmental Services Worker (MRC)