Introduction
Folding a shirt is a basic life skill that is important to learn for personal hygiene and maintaining an organized living space. However, for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this task can be challenging due to difficulties with fine motor skills, executive functioning, and sensory processing. In order to teach a moderate to severe autistic student how to fold a shirt, a task analysis can be helpful to break down the steps into manageable components.
Task Analysis Steps
- Gather supplies:
- Shirt
- Flat surface
- Folding board (optional)
- Smooth out the shirt:
- Hold the shirt by the shoulders
- Shake the shirt out to eliminate any wrinkles
- Lay the shirt face down on the surface:
- Position the shirt so that the collar is facing away from you
- Fold the arms:
- Take the right sleeve and fold it across the back of the shirt
- Hold the fabric with one hand
- With the other hand, fold the sleeve downwards so that it meets the bottom hem of the shirt
- Repeat with the left sleeve
- Fold the sides:
- Take the side of the shirt closest to you and fold it inward so that the side seam meets the edge of the folded sleeve
- Hold the fabric with one hand
- With the other hand, fold the edge of the shirt towards the center of the shirt
- Repeat with the other side
- Fold the bottom:
- Grasp the bottom edge of the shirt
- Pull the bottom edge upwards so that it meets the bottom of the folded sleeves
- Straighten and adjust:
- Smooth out any bumps or wrinkles in the fabric
- Make any necessary adjustments to ensure the shirt is folded evenly
Teaching Strategies
Teaching a task analysis to a moderate to severe autistic student can be done using various strategies, such as:
Visual Supports
- Use a visual schedule to break down the task analysis steps into smaller, more manageable parts
- Use drawings, pictures, or photographs to help the student understand each step
- Create a video model for the student to watch repeatedly, allowing them to see the steps being done multiple times
Sensory Accommodations
- Use a folding board to provide a clear and consistent surface for folding the shirt
- Allow the student to wear gloves if they are sensitive to the texture of fabric
- Provide breaks or sensory input if the student becomes overwhelmed or anxious
Reinforcement
- Provide positive reinforcement such as praise, tokens, or rewards for completing each step or the entire task analysis
- Use social stories or role-play scenarios to reinforce the importance of folding a shirt and using it for personal hygiene
Conclusion
Teaching a moderate to severe autistic student how to fold a shirt requires careful planning and understanding of the individual's strengths and challenges. A task analysis can be used to break down the steps into manageable components, and teaching strategies such as visual supports, sensory accommodations, and reinforcement can be used to support the student's success. Mastery of the skill of folding a shirt not only promotes personal hygiene but also builds self-confidence and independence.