Schools can make classrooms more accessible for autistic children with Widgit’s new Classroom Pack of symbolised resources.
Widgit has marked the new school year with the launch of the Classroom Pack to help teachers meet the learning and communication needs of pupils with additional needs, including autistic children.
The emotional regulation aids included help to promote the importance of well-being. The display materials and curriculum resources available encourage the development of independent learning skills and support the academic progress of verbal and pre-verbal pupils.
Use of the display and signage materials in and around school can benefit all children – and help to ensure learning is inclusive.
Nurture independent learners
Symbols can be used to create visual timetables that help autistic children understand routines, develop their communication and build independence.
Teachers point to the relevant symbol to communicate visually what’s being taught and what’s coming next, such as a globe for geography, a book for reading or a football to indicate playtime.
Personalised timetables can be created for individual children to break down tasks into more manageable chunks, with the inclusion of more brain breaks as needed.
For example, a Literacy lesson might include steps such as: collect a pencil, write the name and date, or discuss ideas with a partner in preparation for writing a story. A cookery lesson might be symbolised as an oven, but may also include symbolised prompts for putting on an apron or washing hands.
Areas in the classroom or school can be labelled with symbolic imagery to encourage children to access their environment without adult support or help them to organise their learning spaces and tidy equipment away. There’s also a set of lunchtime flashcards included to help autistic pupils make independent meal choices, boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Support wellbeing
Posters and flashcards are included, which help children who may not have the language or skills they need to express and manage their emotions.
For example, a colourful feelings thermometer helps children to recognise how they are feeling and what their emotions might ‘look like’, as well as helping them to recognise emotional triggers.
These resources can be used by teachers and SENCOs to encourage pupils to understand and manage challenging emotions in their own way, such as talking to someone, doing heavy lifting or completing a calming activity if they feel frustrated.
Using symbolic imagery helps autistic children explore and understand the impact of emotions, such as anger or anxiety, in a way that supports their well-being.
Boost learning progress
Teachers have access to a variety of symbolised, curriculum-based resources to support the learning progress of autistic children within a communication-friendly, accessible classroom.
Symbolic imagery can be used to create games and activities for teaching a variety of curriculum subjects. Maths, Literacy and Phonics resources are included in the pack, closely matched to objectives set out in the National Curriculum.
Teachers can also use symbols to pre-teach subject-specific language and familiarise children with these terms in advance of a lesson.
Widgit’s Classroom Pack provides schools with a wealth of resources to help ensure autistic children are supported to learn, progress and thrive inside and outside the classroom.
For more information and to get a free trial of Widgit Online and the Classroom Pack, please click here.
