▪Physical Structure

Physical structure involves setting up and organizing the students’ environment so that the students understand where different activities take place and where materials are kept.  Clear and visual/physical boundaries are established and students learn how to navigate around the classroom. 

▪Individual Schedules

Individual visual schedules help students move through the classroom calmly, purposefully, and independently.  Students use a symbol system visual schedule that utilize, objects, pictures or photos, icons, written words or a combination of these.  The visual schedule helps students transition between activities ands develops positive routines while still introducing students to flexibility and change. 

▪Work systems

Work systems are designed to teach students sequencing, independence and generalization.  The work system is a powerful routine that provides students with familiarity and predictability.  Students learn to work independently and learn that once they have finished an activity they can move on to the next task.  The work system also helps students answer the following four questions;

How much am I to do? 

What am I to do and in what order should I do it?

How will I know when I am finished?

What happens when I am finished?

▪ Routines and Strategies

People with autism enjoy the familiarity of routines and procedures.  They often will create their own routines as a coping mechanism that helps them deal with change.  Structured teaching incorporates routines into students’ everyday lives by utilizing students’ individual schedules and work systems.  Routines and strategies help students compensate for poor organizational skills, judgment, and problem solving abilities. 

▪Visual Structure of Task

Visual structures help capitalize on students visual learning styles, minimize reliance on auditory processing and build independence.  Visual structures help bridge the gap between different settings for people with autism.  Types of visual structure include visual instruction, visual organization, and visual clarity.