3 Ways to Motivate Autistic Students

Middle school can be challenging for any student, but for autistic students, the unique obstacles they face can make it even more difficult for them to stay motivated and engaged. Motivation isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. What works for neurotypical students doesn’t always work for autistic students. And what works for one autistic student might not work for another. This is why it’s important to be knowledgeable about different types of motivation and get to know your students to identify which strategies are most effective.

Why do autistic students need different types of motivation?

While every individual is different, there are a few common reasons why autistic students typically do not respond as well to traditional extrinsic motivators (public praise, rewards and consequences, etc.):

Sensory Sensitivities

Imagine being in a classroom where the lights feel like they’re blinding, and every sound seems louder than it should. Now imagine being asked to focus on a lesson or complete assignment. For many autistic students, this is a daily experience that can make it difficult to stay motivated and engaged. When autistic students are overstimulated and overwhelmed, it can directly impact their behavior and academic performance. Offering a reward in exchange for completing a task or applying a consequence for a behavior does not address the sensory overwhelm that could be at the root of the issue.

Social Understanding

Neurotypical people are more likely to seek social approval, such as praise from a teacher or peers. However, many autistic students do not have the same need for social approval and may not be motivated by public praise and recognition.

Neurodiversity-affirming approaches to motivation recognize these differences and focus on providing a learning experience tailored to the individual students’ strengths and needs.

Three Ways to Motivate Autistic Students

Leverage Special Interests

Autistic students often have deep interests that they are excited to participate in or talk about. These interests go beyond just liking a topic. For example, a student whose special interest is the solar system would do more than just learn about space. They might memorize facts, create detailed drawings of each planet, and spend hours researching and discussing astronomy. By connecting academic tasks to their special interests, you can make learning more engaging and meaningful for them. In this case, the teacher could ask the student to:

• Write an argumentative essay about which planet is the best (ELA)
• Calculate the circumference of the planets or their distance from the earth (Math)
• Research the role of space during the Cold War (Social Studies)
• Explore the characteristics of each planet (Science)

Aside from keeping students engaged, aligning assignments with their special interests allows them to see the connection between the real world and what they’re learning in school. In addition to academic topics, special interests can include other passions, like gaming. In fact, 41.4% of autistic youth spend their free time playing video games compared to 18% of neurotypical youth. Gaming is a popular special interest amongst autistic students. Online games like Ava by Social Cipher use gaming to teach students valuable social and emotional skills that can lead to better academic performance, improved behavior, and greater engagement.

Provide Choices

Giving autistic students some degree of control over their tasks empowers them to take ownership of their learning. Instead of assigning a specific task, offer a choice between two or three options, all of which meet the learning objective. For example:

• For a reading assignment, let students choose between a book, graphic novel, or audiobook.
• For a project, let them choose to present a written report, a video, or a slide deck.
• For class assignments, let them decide whether they want to work with a partner or independently.

Providing choices like these allows students to lean into their strengths and maintain a sense of autonomy. It also helps reduce the school-related anxiety because students can engage with the content in a way that feels comfortable to them. By offering options, students have the opportunity to make selections that align with their sensory preferences, which can prevent overwhelm and overstimulation. With this flexibility, students are more likely to engage willingly because they don’t feel forced or pressured into activities they aren’t comfortable with.

Focus on Strengths

Instead of focusing on what an autistic student is struggling with, which can be discouraging, build on their strengths. Celebrate the skills and abilities and find ways to align them with the content they need to learn. For example:

• A student with a talent for drawing can create visual representations of concepts, like drawing a map of the different settings in a story.
• A student who loves computers could create a website to present a project or code a game 
• A student who pays close attention to detail might enjoy tasks that require research or organizing information in easy-to-understand ways like graphs and charts.

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Motivating autistic students requires understanding their individual strengths, challenges, and interests. By leveraging special interests, providing choices, and focusing on strengths, educators can create a more inclusive, supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. 

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Our online SEL video game Ava and its supplemental curriculum have already impacted students in 200+ schools and therapy centers throughout the world. Want to learn how Ava can enhance your SEL program? Let's talk.

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Sources

PubMed. “Prevalence and Correlates of Screen-based Media Use Among Youths with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Link

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. “How Sensory Experiences Affect Adolescents with an Autistic Spectrum Condition within the Classroom.” Link

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. “Improving Motivation for Academics in Children with Autism.” Link