Behavior Management in an Autistic Classroom

The students need to know and understand the teachers expectations. Adding pictures is supporting students who are not able to read yet. The class should review the chart each day before the chance to earn a ticket.

Again, students' need to be fully aware of expectations and consequences. When the student misbehaves, I had them touch the picture of their mistake and drop a ticket in a box. Each class will have different target behaviors that will need to be listed. If the child exhibits a behavior that is not on the list, they are not asked to give back a ticket.

Tickets are counted and turned into dots on a daily basis. The students should be the one counting the tickets and responsible for placing the dots on their personal chart. This activity is also a strong math lesson regarding one to one counting.

Depending on the teachers reward system, it should be clearly posted, well understood and reviewed often.


This behavior program was used to assist in a kindergarten/ first grade non-severe special day class. The majority of the students were diagnosed with Autism, therefor the benefits of picture support. Using tangible items places responsibility on the student for self-monitoring their own behavior. Each classroom will have different target behaviors so the charts should be designed for behaviors that need to be supported in the environment.