Mind Map of ASD Strategies

Give time to Instructions Keep your

Use your child's process need to be clear language short
name at the response. and precise. and simple
beginning of an (K.I.S.S).
instruction to cue cards, schedules and passports etc.
gain attention.

Cue attention Visual strategies Adapt language

Beware of literal
interpretation.
Repeat Similarly with
instruction if idioms, metaphors
Avoid jokes or
necessary. and similes.
sarcasm
THE TEACCH ICEBERG
Communication
Analyse your child’s 
behaviour.
What we see Bites screams
throws spits

• unaware of social rules Identify how

sensory problems
• does not understand what is expected
Underlying
causes • frustration through inability to communicate

Analyse
appropriately
• sensory stimulation

Investigate /monitor impact on your

anxiety and try to child’s daily life.
S.T.A.R / Iceberg reduce it.

Distract & divert Adapt Plan a ‘sensory 

Avoid / on to a different diet’, developing 
Establish eliminate activity.
Behaviour /
Autism Sensory coping strategies
clear rules cause. Spectrum and tools to help
anxiety your child deal
and Disorders Avoid
guidelines. Your child may need with different
specific activities explained situations.
so that the rules are
understood.
Desensitise
Sensory
Make your child aware of
Flexibility in Objects
differences in status
between people and thinking and Make task more explicit /
situations. Encourage flexibility / behaviour concrete
accepting changes
Social Interaction
Use interest(s) as a
Teach more appropriate
ways of making social motivator/reward
Prepare / forewarn re
contact. changes
Work on identifying 'good'
and 'bad' choices and
understanding the
consequences of each. Give opportunities for Help to develop other Break task
rehearsal / practice interests. down, take
Comic breaks,
Social reward
Stories Strip
immediately
Conversations
This resource incorporates Widgit symbols and pictures (c)
Widgit Software Ltd

Created by George Timlin 2008