Moderate Support • Ages 10-14 • Goal:
Develop Strengths and Self-Advocacy
Action step 1.
Identify supports needed for schoolwork and studying.
Skills like organization and time management are keys to success at school. These skills sometimes are called executive functioning skills. If you’re autistic, these skills can be challenging. Supports like checklists and visual prompts can help you focus on learning. They also help prepare you for later when schoolwork gets harder.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 2.
Use and adjust tools and supports in school.
You may need to adjust tools and supports depending on classes and situations at school that can help you be successful. You may have to try a few to see what works best. Talk to your parents and teachers if you need help. Tools and supports can include:
- Reward charts
- Scripts
- Sensory items
- Visual schedules
Resources
Words to know
Action step 3.
Participate in education and IEP meetings.
You have a voice in your education, including at IEP or 504 plan meetings. At these meetings you and the IEP team make decisions about your education. You can share your:
- Goals
- Ideas
- Opinions
- Requests for support
- Special interests
To get ready for the IEP meeting:
- Ask team members what will happen at the meeting
- Plan what you want to share or ask for
- Ask for accommodations you need for the meeting
Resources
Words to know
Action step 4.
Develop self-advocacy skills at school.
Self-advocacy is an important skill for people with autism. It means asking for what you need to help you learn and be successful. The classroom is a place where you can learn these skills.
You can ask to include self-advocacy goals in your IEP so that teachers will help you learn:
- How to identify your strengths and challenges
- How to identify sensory or social accommodations you need and ask for them
- How to ask for help when you need it
Resources
Words to know
You’ve reached the end of the action steps for this support level and age group.
- To find services and providers in your area, visit our Resource Guide.
- For direct contact with a member of our Autism Response Team, call 1-888-AUTISM2 (1-888-288-4762) or en Español 1-888-772-9050.
- Send an email to: help@autismspeaks.org.
