Dear Susan,
I will be starting as a temporary one-to-one teaching assistant with a 7th grader on the spectrum. I’d love any links to articles that can help me to help him grasp algebra. – Tracy Vorheis
Dear Tracy,
I like that enthusiasm! I have compiled a number of resources that can help you to teach him algebra.
Children on the autism spectrum are visual, meaning they learn from visual cues that they can relate concepts to. So, any math strategies that can make algebra more visual will help him.
These resources may also work for parents of children on the spectrum who are helping their kids with homework.
Resources:
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives – A treasure trove of online visual manipulatives for mathematics, such as algebra tiles, pattern blocks and triominoes. Make sure the student is using a web browser that has Java activated so that the manipulatives load correctly.
Using Virtual Manipulatives to Teach Mathematics – a research brief by the Center for Technology Implementation.
Teaching Math with Meaning – A PDF by Autism Ontario that offers ideas and starting points for teaching math to children on the spectrum.
From Concrete to Representation to Abstract: Math Instruction for Students with Autism – A presentation by Willow Hozella, Allen Muir, and Jared Campbell at the 2014 National Autism Conference.
Teaching Problem Solving to Increase Academic, Communication, and Social Skills – A presentation by Judah B. Axe at the 2017 National Autism Conference.
17 Tips for Teaching High Functioning Students with Autism from the Georgia Department of Education.
Hope these help, and thank you for making a difference!
Susan