## Ways to Support Your Students’ Flexibility

### Tips for supporting students with and without autism

## Help students problem-solve.  
When a student’s refusing to do a task or complete a request, uncover the root cause of the behavior and work with your student on a solution.

## Teach flexibility explicitly during everyday lessons.  
Example: “The bulb is burned out on the overhead projector. I’m going to be flexible and give you each your own worksheet instead.”

## Support self-advocacy skills.  
Show your students that it’s okay to advocate for the accommodations and modifications they need.

## Use a high ratio of praise to corrections.  
Students supported through positivity perform better than students who experience a steady stream of consequences and corrections.

## Respect students who love routines.  
If a student can maintain a favorite routine (as long as it isn’t harmful), she’ll be better equipped to handle changes in other areas.

## Give them a heads-up before a change happens.  
Let them know exactly what’s going to happen, and frame it as a great opportunity to “show how flexible we are.”

## Build collaborative partnerships with students.  
Treat your students as active partners in their education and offer more choices and options whenever possible.

Adapted from Unstuck & On Target!,  
by Lynn Cannon, Lauren Kenworthy, Katie C. Alexander, Monica Adler Werner, & Laura Anthony.