Talking to students who have autism or a learning disability

You can raise a child’s confidence, prepare them for the world and help them enjoy their time at school. Children who have autism or a learning disability are more at risk of abuse from other people – this includes adults and strangers as well as their peers.

“My child was bullied at school and online. Both reported to the school. I had a gang of children wanting my son to go outside so they could hit him, because my son who is autistic. He’s been called a retard and someone tried to gouge his eyes out. My son was excluded for pushing the boy away.”

Sometimes, children with autism or a learning disability might find it difficult to communicate and engage with you.

There are steps you can take to help them and build up that crucial level of trust.

  • Talk to them in a quiet and comfortable environment where you won’t be disturbed.
  • Ask if they would like to talk alone or have a parent present.
  • Don’t embellish, be clear with what you’re saying and avoid using metaphors.
  • Use visual cues to help them understand what you’re saying and so they can communicate too.
  • Give them extra time to process what you’re saying, think about what they want to say and communicate that with you.
  • Let them communicate in a way that makes them feel comfortable, their parent or carer will understand this best.
  • Give them clear, concise questions to answer.
  • Write a clear, simple plan about what you will do to help them and what they need to do.
  • Be aware that challenging behaviour is their way of expressing frustration at their environment and not being able to communicate.
  • Be aware that meltdowns and shutdowns aren’t voluntary and they may make movements or noises to block the world out.
  • Give them time to calm down and don’t treat them as the perpetrator.
  • Ask them and talk to them regularly, not just about hate crime. Make sure they know they can trust you and can approach you to talk.

It is important your pupils with autism and learning disabilities understand disability hate crime too.

Being aware is the first step to preventing a serious crime taking place and knowing there are people who can help provide comfort.

Clive’s story

In summer 2017, Clive who is a victim of hate crime presented his experiences to a crowd of people and how he moved forward. He’d like to share it with you.