Practical examples of lesson plans for students with autism

Real examples of lesson plans for students with autism in daily classroom routines

Instead of starting with theory, let’s jump straight into real examples of lesson plans for students with autism that fit into a typical school day. Think of these as templates you can tweak.

Morning meeting example of a structured routine lesson

Many autistic students thrive on predictability. A morning meeting is a perfect place to build that into your lesson plans.

Imagine a 20-minute morning meeting in an elementary autism classroom:

• The schedule is shown on a large visual strip with icons: Greet → Calendar → Weather → Movement → Choice.
• Each student has an individual mini-schedule on a ring or strip at their desk.
• The goal for one student might be: "Given a visual schedule, the student will transition between 5 morning meeting activities with no more than 1 adult prompt for each transition on 4 out of 5 days."

During the greeting, students choose a greeting card (wave, fist bump, high five, or verbal “good morning"). For a student with limited speech, the lesson plan includes a speech-generating device or picture cards. For a student who avoids eye contact, the objective is not eye contact; it might be simply handing the greeting card to a peer.

This is one of the best examples of how a simple routine can become a targeted social communication lesson while still being predictable and low-stress.

Literacy block: examples of lesson plans for students with autism at different levels

Literacy is where many teachers feel stuck, especially when students are at widely different levels. Here are three real examples of lesson plans for students with autism during the same read-aloud.

You’re reading a short story aloud to the class:

• Student A (emerging communicator) has three picture cards: happy, sad, scared. The goal: "During read-aloud, the student will select an emotion picture that matches how a character feels in 3 out of 4 opportunities." The lesson plan includes pausing after key moments and saying, “How does the character feel?” while pointing to the choices.
• Student B (early reader) has a simple sentence frame page: "The character feels ____ because _____." The goal: "Given a sentence frame and picture support, the student will write or dictate a feeling and a reason in 3 out of 5 trials."
• Student C (on grade level academically, needs support with inference) works on a graphic organizer for character traits. The goal: "The student will identify two character traits and support each with evidence from the text in 4 out of 5 lessons."

All three students are in the same lesson, but the example of each plan is tailored: same story, different access points, and different IEP-linked objectives.

For current, evidence-informed literacy approaches for autistic learners, the National Center on Improving Literacy provides helpful guidance: https://improvingliteracy.org

Academic-focused examples of lesson plans for students with autism

Now let’s zoom in on subject-specific examples of lesson plans for students with autism that you can plug into your planning binder.

Math: visual, hands-on lesson plan example for word problems

Many autistic students struggle with the language in word problems more than the math itself. Here’s a middle-elementary example of a math lesson plan:

• Objective: Given a visual organizer, the student will solve single-step addition and subtraction word problems with 80% accuracy across 3 sessions.
• Materials: Word problem cards, dry-erase boards, a simple graphic organizer with three boxes labeled "What do I know?", "What do I need to find?", "My equation", plus manipulatives (counters, cubes).
• Instruction: The teacher models using the organizer on the board with a think-aloud. Each step is color-coded. For students who need extra support, the lesson plan includes pre-highlighted numbers and key words.
• Differentiation: One student works with pictures instead of written word problems. Another uses a calculator but still fills out the organizer.

In this example of a math lesson, the focus is on teaching a repeatable process with strong visual scaffolds. The math changes; the routine stays the same.

Science: sensory-friendly experiment lesson plan example

Science can be very motivating if it’s structured and sensory-aware. Here’s an example of a simple experiment lesson for a middle school autism class: "Which material absorbs the most water?"

• Objective: The student will make a prediction, participate in the experiment, and record results using pictures or words.
• Materials: Small cups, paper towels, cotton balls, sponges, a data sheet with pictures, optional gloves for students with tactile sensitivities.
• Instruction: The teacher previews the steps with a visual task strip. Students choose or point to a prediction (e.g., sponge, paper towel, cotton ball). During the experiment, students take turns pouring water and observing. The lesson plan includes built-in breaks for students who may be overwhelmed by spills or mess.
• Assessment: Some students circle a picture of the material that absorbed the most water; others write a complete sentence.

This is one of those best examples of lesson plans for students with autism that hits multiple skills at once: prediction, observation, data collection, and tolerating a bit of controlled mess.

For current guidance on including autistic students in STEM learning, the IRIS Center at Vanderbilt University offers free modules: https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu

Communication and social skills: examples include scripted and naturalistic lesson plans

Communication and social interaction are often priority areas. Here are a few examples of lesson plans for students with autism that target these skills without feeling fake or forced.

Conversation skills: peer buddy lunch group example

Picture a weekly lunch group with three autistic students and two trained peer buddies.

• Objective: The student will ask at least two on-topic questions during lunch with visual support.
• Materials: Question prompt cards ("What do you like to do after school?"), a simple conversation mat showing "Ask → Listen → Comment".
• Instruction: At the start, the adult briefly models a short conversation using the mat. During lunch, the adult stays in the background, only stepping in if the conversation stalls.
• Support: One student uses a speech-generating device with pre-programmed questions; another has a choice board of topics.

This example of a social skills lesson plan is embedded in a natural setting—lunch—rather than a separate, artificial “social skills class” that never transfers to real life.

Functional communication: requesting a break lesson plan example

Behavior often improves once students are taught a clear, efficient way to communicate needs. Here’s a simple example of a lesson plan focused on requesting a break.

• Objective: When feeling overwhelmed, the student will use a “break” card or button instead of engaging in problem behavior in 80% of observed opportunities.
• Materials: A clearly labeled break area, a visual “break” card, or a button on a speech device.
• Instruction: During calm times, the teacher practices with the student: show the student the card, help them hand it to the teacher, and immediately go to the break area. Over time, prompts fade.
• Generalization: The same card or symbol is used in specials, lunch, and recess.

This is one of the most powerful examples of lesson plans for students with autism that blends communication, self-regulation, and behavior support.

For more on functional communication training and autism, see the CDC’s autism resources: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html

Life skills and independence: practical examples of lesson plans for students with autism

Academic skills matter, but independence skills are what families often worry about most. Here are concrete examples of lesson plans for students with autism that build real-world independence.

Daily living skills: handwashing routine example

A classic, highly teachable skill: handwashing.

• Objective: The student will complete all 6 steps of handwashing with no more than 1 prompt per step across 5 consecutive days.
• Materials: Visual sequence posted at the sink: Turn on water → Wet hands → Soap → Scrub → Rinse → Dry.
• Instruction: At first, the adult physically guides the student through each step while pointing to the picture. Over time, prompts shift to pointing only, then to a gentle verbal cue like “check your chart.”
• Adaptations: For a student with sensory defensiveness, the lesson plan includes options like lukewarm water and a preferred soap scent.

This example of a life skills lesson plan can be repeated across settings: classroom, bathroom near the cafeteria, and at home with a matching visual.

Community skills: grocery store role-play example

For older students, here’s an example of a community-based lesson that can start in the classroom.

• Objective: The student will locate 5 items from a simple list and pay the cashier with support.
• Materials: Mock grocery shelves in the classroom or pictures of items, a visual shopping list with pictures and words, play money or a debit card.
• Instruction: Students practice reading the list, finding items, and placing them in a basket. A peer or staff member acts as cashier. The lesson plan includes scripts like “Hi,” “Thank you,” and “Have a good day” for students who want or need them.
• Extension: Once the routine is familiar, the class visits an actual store, using the same list and supports.

Examples like this help bridge the gap between school and adult life, which is a major focus in current transition planning guidance from the U.S. Department of Education: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/parents-and-families/transition-to-adulthood/

Sensory and behavior supports woven into lesson plans

The best examples of lesson plans for students with autism don’t treat behavior and sensory needs as an afterthought. They are baked into the plan from the start.

Movement breaks and sensory choices lesson plan example

Consider a high school resource class where students rotate through academic stations.

• Each student has a personalized sensory menu: wall push-ups, chair stretches, fidgets, short walk, or deep breathing.
• Objective: The student will independently choose a movement or sensory break from a menu at least once during a 45-minute block.
• The lesson plan includes a 2-minute timer and a clear “Back to work” visual.

Instead of seeing movement as a distraction, this example of a lesson plan uses it as a tool to maintain attention and reduce outbursts.

Visual supports and clear expectations

Across all these examples of lesson plans for students with autism, you’ll notice a pattern:

• Visual schedules and task strips
• Clear, concrete language
• Predictable routines
• Built-in choices

These aren’t “extras”; they’re part of the lesson design. They line up with widely recommended practices for autistic learners, including structured teaching and visual supports, which are highlighted by organizations like the Organization for Autism Research: https://researchautism.org

Adapting and personalizing these examples of lesson plans for students with autism

All of these are starting points. To turn them into the best examples for your own students, keep a few principles in mind:

• Start from the IEP goals and work backward. If a student has a goal around requesting help, build that into math, reading, and science, not just a “communication” block.
• Use student interests. If a student loves trains, the same math lesson can use train pictures instead of generic counters.
• Plan for generalization. If you teach a skill only at a specific table, in a specific way, it may stay there. Use the same visuals, symbols, and language in different rooms and with different staff.
• Collect small bits of data. A quick tally of how often a student used a break card or answered a comprehension question is enough to know whether a lesson plan is working.

When you look at examples of lesson plans for students with autism, the goal isn’t to copy them perfectly. It’s to notice the structure: clear objectives, visual supports, predictable routines, and meaningful, functional skills. Once you have that structure in mind, you can build almost any lesson your students need.

FAQ: examples of lesson plans for students with autism

Q: Can you give a simple example of a lesson plan for a nonverbal autistic student?
Yes. Imagine a snack-time lesson where the objective is: "The student will request a preferred snack using a picture card or speech device in 4 out of 5 opportunities." The plan includes a choice board with snack pictures, modeling by the adult, and immediate access to the chosen snack after the student points, hands over the card, or taps the device. Over time, prompts are faded so the student initiates more independently.

Q: What are some of the best examples of lesson plans for students with autism in inclusive classrooms?
Look for lessons where all students do the same core activity but access it differently. For example, during a whole-group science lesson, one student might use a simplified visual lab sheet, another uses sentence starters, and another writes a full paragraph. The teacher uses the same experiment and vocabulary, but the supports and expectations are adjusted.

Q: How often should I change or update my lesson plans for autistic students?
Update when the data tells you the student is either consistently meeting the objective or consistently not making progress. That might be every few weeks for some goals and longer for others. Short, regular check-ins are more useful than big changes once a year.

Q: Where can I find more research-based examples of lesson plans for students with autism?
Free, research-informed resources are available from the IRIS Center (https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu), the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (archived but still valuable), and the CDC’s autism pages (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html). These don’t always hand you a ready-made lesson, but they show you how to structure effective instruction.

Q: Is it okay if my examples of lesson plans for students with autism look very different from traditional lesson plans?
Yes. Autism-focused lesson plans often include visuals, sensory notes, and behavior supports that don’t appear in a standard template. As long as your plans clearly show the objective, the supports, and how you’ll measure progress, you’re on the right track.