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About this Resource

Students with developmental delays such as those on the autistic spectrum often need direct instruction to learn to stay on task and complete assignments independently. The ideas presented in this book are designed to increase the independent work skills of beginning-level learners. The tasks are designed as starting points for students who are learning how to work independently. The visual work task system described in this book can be used by anyone teaching a child to become more independent: special education teachers, parents, and home-based therapists. The tasks can be used with preschoolers through adolescents. The tasks can even be incorporated into work times within general education classrooms. Work systems help provide students with the skills and task commitment to work independently for a sustained period of time. Students who can work independently and maintain attention to several tasks in a row typically experience a higher rate of success, both at school and in the work force.

Ideas for over 80 independent work tasks are presented in this practical resource. Each task description includes a photograph and a detailed list of materials needed to create the task. Suggestions for differentiating the task to meet the needs of learners at different levels are also included with each idea. Introductory material describes work tasks in more detail and suggests ways to establish an independent work system for your student. The Appendix contains sample goals for reflecting a student’s need for developing independent work skills in an Individual Education Plan (IEP). The Appendix also includes sample data sheets for tracking student progress with the work tasks.

Much research has been done that shows that children with autism are strong visual learners. Additionally, children with autism thrive on routine, consistency and clear expectations. Task boxes provide visual cues to enable students to work independently of adults—to derive from the task what is to be done and when it is to be finished. Teaching a child to work independently through a work system of task boxes allows them to use this need for routine and consistency to learn new skills and achieve success. Most importantly, however, task boxes enable a child to develop independence—the ultimate goal of any educational program.