How Do You Teach Public vs Private Behaviours and Spaces to Autistic Learners?
Teaching autism and public vs private spaces is an essential part of social development for autistic learners. Understanding the differences between public and private behaviours and spaces can be challenging, as it requires understanding complex social rules and expectations. Autistic learners may need additional support to navigate these distinctions, as they may struggle with interpreting social behaviour cues or recognising when certain behaviours are appropriate in different environments.
Effective Strategies for Teaching Public vs Private Behaviours
Here are some practical strategies for teaching autism and public vs private spaces:
Use Visual Aids and Social Stories
Visual aids and social stories are great tools for illustrating the differences between public and private spaces. These can show examples of behaviours that are appropriate for different settings, helping autistic learners grasp the concept more clearly. For instance, a social story could explain that in public, it’s important to speak quietly, while in private, louder voices might be acceptable.
Role-Playing and Practice
Role-playing can be particularly helpful for autistic learners to practise appropriate social behaviour in different contexts. By acting out various scenarios—like how to behave in a classroom versus at home learners can experience firsthand the expectations in both public and private spaces. This practice reinforces privacy skills and social understanding.
Visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations to explore how autism and public vs private spaces can be taught effectively, using strategies like social behaviour modelling, privacy skills training, and social rules reinforcement.
For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Understanding Social Norms and Boundaries .
