The guide entitled "Uczeń ze spektrum autyzmu (ASD). Informacje dla nauczycieli i rodziców" [Student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Information for teachers and parents], created in cooperation with ORE, has been written with teachers, educators, school psychologists and parents in mind.
The guide includes, among other things:
- the latest diagnostic criteria that will be in force in Poland as of 2027,
- practical tips on developing important social skills and tips on counteracting difficult situations in students' everyday functioning.
How to effectively support students on the autism spectrum?
Effective help is based primarily on adapting the educational environment to their needs through:
- providing clear structure and predictability – defining a daily schedule and applying clear rules,
- individual approach – taking into account the unique strengths and difficulties of a given student,
- support in social interactions – introducing specific strategies that develop communication and cooperation, helpful in building relationships with peers,
- educating neurotypical people and shaping attitudes that support the acceptance of diversity.
The guide entitled "Uczeń ze spektrum autyzmu (ASD)" (in Polish), which is available on the ORE website, is a valuable source of knowledge for those who want to better understand and effectively support their students. With the right tools and strategies, we can not only help children and young people in everyday functioning but also enable them to develop their potential. The publication is available under an open license – I encourage you to use it and share knowledge not only in the educational environment!
Source: Krystyna Pomorska
Edit: Press Office, University of Lodz
Dr Krystyna Pomorska is a therapist and an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Psychology at the University of Lodz and a lecturer at the SWPS School of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. In addition to her research work and teaching activities, she has been providing therapeutic support to children, adolescents and their families, especially those with autism spectrum disorders, since 2007. In her work, she combines the latest scientific knowledge with an individual approach to each patient – adapting interventions to the unique needs and capabilities of a given person. She specialises in developing social and communication skills, based on methods with proven effectiveness, such as Applied Behaviour Analysis and Relational Frame Theory.