Tips and Ways to Help Nicholas (and yourself in the process)
#1: Please be kind.
Nicholas is a kind person, very gentle and sweet. There is something very wrong when he isn't, and if you are
patient, it won't be difficult to figure out what it is. Please remember to chat with Nicholas; he has difficulty
speaking, but still craves to have people say, "Hi," and talk nicely to him throughout the day.
#2: Nicholas does best with people who are naturally fun to begin with.
He thrives in a real learning community and with someone who knows how to break complicated concepts
into small simple parts. Helping Nicholas become successful with the parts, then adding more complexity, will
get Nicholas learning the whole much faster.
#3: Be positive and redirect.
Because of Nicholas' autism, he needs to be told what TO DO, versus what not to do. So, explain to Nicholas
what is to come next and help him understand which way to go. If he is doing something that you do not like,
help move him along to an activity that is acceptable. Please don't scold Nicholas unless something is
absolutely dangerous or destructive. Because he has autistic-like behaviors, if Nicholas is with the wrong
person, they could end up yelling at him the entire day. He is who he is, and it would be a tragedy to have his
great spirit broken.
#4: Build in plenty of time.
Over the years, the school staff has learned that there is no rushing Nick, so don't try. Nicholas is usually
going slow for a reason and is communicating something. If he absolutely needs to get somewhere, keep the
anxiety of the situation down, and make it fun to go down the hall swiftly...turn it in to a game, without
running. He will go along with it. See #2!
#5 Learn Nick's interests and use them to your advantage.
Doing so will help you build a relationship with him. You'll know how to help him relax and respond. You
can even build many lesson concepts around his interests, since he is so rooted in him (like many students
with autism are).
#1: Please be kind.
Nicholas is a kind person, very gentle and sweet. There is something very wrong when he isn't, and if you are
patient, it won't be difficult to figure out what it is. Please remember to chat with Nicholas; he has difficulty
speaking, but still craves to have people say, "Hi," and talk nicely to him throughout the day.
#2: Nicholas does best with people who are naturally fun to begin with.
He thrives in a real learning community and with someone who knows how to break complicated concepts
into small simple parts. Helping Nicholas become successful with the parts, then adding more complexity, will
get Nicholas learning the whole much faster.
#3: Be positive and redirect.
Because of Nicholas' autism, he needs to be told what TO DO, versus what not to do. So, explain to Nicholas
what is to come next and help him understand which way to go. If he is doing something that you do not like,
help move him along to an activity that is acceptable. Please don't scold Nicholas unless something is
absolutely dangerous or destructive. Because he has autistic-like behaviors, if Nicholas is with the wrong
person, they could end up yelling at him the entire day. He is who he is, and it would be a tragedy to have his
great spirit broken.
#4: Build in plenty of time.
Over the years, the school staff has learned that there is no rushing Nick, so don't try. Nicholas is usually
going slow for a reason and is communicating something. If he absolutely needs to get somewhere, keep the
anxiety of the situation down, and make it fun to go down the hall swiftly...turn it in to a game, without
running. He will go along with it. See #2!
#5 Learn Nick's interests and use them to your advantage.
Doing so will help you build a relationship with him. You'll know how to help him relax and respond. You
can even build many lesson concepts around his interests, since he is so rooted in him (like many students
with autism are).
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| It will be easy for you to Get to Know Nicholas by visiting this digital photo album. It contains some current and old photos of Nicholas doing some of the things he loves to do! Getting to Know Nicholas |
CLASSROOM TIPS