The Science Behind Us

Although students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related disabilities have diverse literacy experiences and abilities, some common patterns and connections emerge. Their communication, cognition, and literacy skills are closely linked areas that influence each other. Therefore, strengthening one area can improve others, and difficulties in one can impact learning in others.

The CMS Approach™ is based on empirical research and focuses on these interconnected areas, called the Triad of Foci. It uses evidence-based methods to target and develop essential skills in students with ASD and related disabilities.

Triad of Foci

The Triad of Foci consists of three key areas of development that are interconnected and help students learn. Focusing on these areas can help create effective learning experiences for students with ASD and related disabilities.

These areas include:

Language acquisition: Developing communication skills, including speaking, listening, and using alternative forms of communication like gestures, pictures, or signs.
Functional adaptive skills: Skills that help students become more independent in daily life, such as dressing, eating, and self-care.
Academic or pre-academic literacy skills: Foundational skills needed for reading (like recognizing letters and sounds) and the ability to understand and use written language.

When teaching students with ASD, educators need to consider these three interconnected areas to create effective instructions.

How does The CMS Approach™ help?

The CMS Approach™ focuses on making learning easier in each area of the Triad of Foci. We do this by:

Tailoring instructions to fit each student's individual needs and learning style
Providing prompts and visual support to help students complete tasks and master new skills
Adapting the learning environment to make learning more comfortable

The CMS Approach™ is based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a research-based method for skill development. We consider each student's unique learning style to create effective learning experiences for students with ASD.

Language Acquisition in Students with ASD & Related Disabilities

The way students with ASD and related disabilities learn communication skills can be different from typical learners. They face unique challenges in learning language and social skills. These include:

Attention and focus: Effective communication requires the ability to focus on multiple stimuli at once. Students with ASD and related disabilities may struggle with stimulus over selectivity. This means they typically have intense focus on a limited number of things at a time. This can make it difficult for them to pay attention to the different aspects of communication, such as both the speaker's words and body language.
Nonverbal communication: Students with ASD and related disabilities may have difficulty using and understanding gestures, like pointing, or maintaining eye contact.
Theory of Mind (ToM): The ability to understand what others are thinking and feeling through their expressions and body language is called Theory of Mind. It is often underdeveloped in students with ASD and related disabilities.
Pragmatic language: Students with ASD and related disabilities may struggle with pragmatic language, meaning they have difficulty understanding the "unspoken rules" of conversation, like turn-taking or reading social cues.

How does The CMS Approach™ help?

The CMS Approach™ provides targeted support to help students with ASD and related disabilities develop strong communication skills.

Breaking down communication: The CMS Approach™ breaks down complex communication tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This helps students focus their attention and learn the building blocks of effective communication.
Alternative communication methods: The CMS Approach™ incorporates alternative communication methods like picture cards or gestures alongside spoken language, depending on the student's needs.
Understanding social cues: Through various activities, role-playing, and discussions, The CMS Approach™ helps students identify and understand others’ emotions, and tone, and recognize nonverbal cues.
Social interaction skills: The CMS Approach™ provides opportunities for students to practice social communication skills in a safe and supportive environment. This can involve activities like greetings and turn-taking in conversations.

Functional Adaptive Skills in Students with ASD & Related Disabilities

For students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related disabilities, developing independence in daily life is a crucial step towards success. Functional and adaptive skills are the essential building blocks for independence.

Functional skills are essential skills that students master to become more self-sufficient. Adaptive skills encompass the ability to function effectively in different environments, such as at home, school, and in the community. Adaptive skills include both functional and social communication skills.

While functional skills make students less reliant on others, adaptive skills help them function across various environments. For example, foundational skills like sorting shapes and colors are important, applying them to practical tasks is what truly makes a difference.

Executive function refers to the mental processes that help us plan, organize, and manage our tasks. These skills are crucial for learning and mastering any skills. Students with ASD may struggle with executive function, making it difficult for them to:

Organize information from their surroundings and complete multi-step tasks
Transition between different activities
Self-monitor their own work and correct errors

These challenges can make it difficult for them to learn, practice, and generalize functional skills.

How does The CMS Approach™ help?

The CMS Approach™ recognizes the importance of both functional skills and executive function in supporting students with ASD.

Literal thinking: Students with ASD may struggle with abstract concepts. The CMS Approach™ uses concrete examples and breaks down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps to improve comprehension.
Central coherence: This refers to the ability to see the "big picture." Students with ASD may focus on details and miss the overall meaning. The CMS Approach™ incorporates activities that help students see how different skills and concepts connect.
Impulse control: Managing impulses is important for both learning and social interaction. The CMS Approach™ uses positive reinforcement and strategies to help students develop impulse control skills.

Literacy Skills in Students with ASD & Related Disabilities

Understanding the interconnectedness between language, functional skills, and academic literacy is essential when teaching students with ASD and related disabilities.

Traditional literacy instruction often falls short for students with ASD and related disabilities. Literacy experiences must be authentic and functional. This includes activities that are:

Meaningful and relevant to each student's life and interests
Designed to apply learned skills and concepts to real-world situations

Students with ASD and related disabilities have unique learning styles and characteristics that impact their literacy development.

They may struggle with stimulus over selectivity, executive function, and reading-comprehension. These challenges can significantly affect their literacy skills.

How does The CMS Approach™ help?

The CMS Approach™ considers the unique learning styles and characteristics of students with ASD and related disabilities, providing targeted support to address comprehension challenges and empower them to develop academic literacy skills.

Perspective-taking: Stories often involve characters with different perspectives. The CMS Approach™ incorporates activities and discussions to help students understand characters' motivations and actions, improving reading comprehension.
Central coherence: Some students with ASD and related disabilities may excel at decoding (sounding out words) but struggle with understanding the bigger picture. The CMS Approach™ uses strategies to help students connect different parts of a text, building overall comprehension.
Beyond hyperlexia: Hyperlexia, the ability to decode complex words without understanding their meaning, is sometimes seen in students with ASD and related disabilities. The CMS Approach™ goes beyond decoding to ensure students develop strong comprehension skills alongside their decoding abilities.

Join The CMS Community

We invite you and your school district to become part of a community that values expertise, empathy, and empowerment. Together, we can create a learning environment where every student can shine.

By embracing The CMS Approach™, you are not only enhancing your own teaching experience but also shaping a brighter future for students with ASD and related disabilities. Let's begin this journey together, fostering an educational landscape where everyone thrives.

Partner with CMS