SUPPORT NEEDS SHOULD BE THE FOCUS

•Support labels ensure that the person’s needs are met

•Support requirements can be fluid

•Change day to day.

•Influenced by environment

•Influenced by ‘spoons’ that the person has

THE SPOON THEORY

Spoons = All the energy that an Autistic person has in one day.

Instructions, demands, sensory needs, social interactions, any change = Use of a spoon

An Autistic person may only have ½ of the number of spoons as a neurotypical person.

Spoons may be used up by the afternoon.

Some days there may be no spoons to deal with the things they usually seem okay with.

Rigid programming doesn’t take into account the “spoons” theory.

Adaptability to the student’s needs is key.