The Power of Habit and the Autistic Brain: Systemic Teaching That Promotes Lifelong Learning

Abstract Book of the 9th World Conference on Research in Teaching and Education

Year: 2025

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The Power of Habit and the Autistic Brain: Systemic Teaching That Promotes Lifelong Learning

Camille Brandt

ABSTRACT:

Purposeful and consistently applied teaching practices profoundly impact students with autism of all ages and development. Supportive, structured practices that lead to positive outcomes impact mental health, social skills, and learning. People with autism thrive with both instructional and environmental predictability, clear communication, and individual support while inconsistent, unstructured teaching may contribute to problem with communication, interfering behaviors, authentic learning, and social skills. Positively teaching routines that become learner habits benefit students as they focus on learning environment, predictability, individualized support, and clear communication. Culture also plays a significant role in student success. Communities that prioritize quality professional development and training for teachers on evidence-based strategies increases teacher self-efficacy and improve student outcomes. Similarly, systems that encourage collaboration between teachers, parents, and community members ensures a consistent, unified support system for the student across different environments. This paper examines the impact of habit on successfully completing daily routines across environments for students with autism while presenting best practices for teaching, community engagement, and family involvement.

Keywords: Autism; Evidence-Based Practice; Habits; Systemic Teaching Practices; Brain-Based Learning