Effective Teaching, Part 1
Although she was writing about traditional classroom education, American novelist and short story writer Gail Godwin articulated the essence of an effective strategy for teaching many individuals with autism when she wrote, “Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater.” Preparation and theater are definitely important. Are there other keys to effective teaching?
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Based on my experiences with literally hundreds of individuals with autism since 1974, I would add two more elements to Gail Godwin’s quote, saying something like, “Effective teaching is one-fourth preparation, one-fourth building personal connections, one-fourth flexibility, and one-fourth theater.”
PREPARATION. Many individuals with autism respond best to structured learning, so take time to plan the day. Time spent in advance preparation will actually save time and decrease stress in the long run. In addition to working out the daily schedule and specific learning experiences, teachers find it helpful to pre-plan free time activities, transition, and strategies for dealing with various issues that may arise.
PERSONAL CONNECTIONS. The complexity of autism can cause us to inadvertently focus on managing challenges and addressing issues rather than connecting with the real person. Taking time for casual conversation and interaction not only warms the hearts of our friends with autism, but also gives us a more complete picture of each person, allowing us to teach more effectively.
Tune in tomorrow for part 2 of this discussion about the components of effective teaching based on the clever quote by Gail Godwin.
For more tidbits and practical, succinct, field-tested guidelines for teachers, parents, therapists, medical professionals, and others interested in the well-being of individuals with autism, check out our FAQautism.com Toolkits. Click on the Toolkit tab on our website – http://FAQautism.com
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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