What strategy is most effective for teaching a student with autism to respect personal space?

Using social stories to address the concept of respecting personal space is particularly effective for students with autism. Social stories are narratives that explain social situations in a structured manner, using simple language and visuals. They help to clarify what is expected in various social interactions, making it easier for students to understand complex social norms.

In the context of personal space, a social story can outline scenarios where personal boundaries are important, illustrating the appropriate distance to maintain from others during conversation or in social settings. This method aligns well with the learning preferences of many students with autism, who often benefit from clear, concrete examples and explicit explanations of social cues.

Other strategies might involve role-playing or using physical props, but these can sometimes be less effective without the narrative context provided by a social story. Role-playing may not fully capture the subtleties of personal space in varied real-world situations, while props might not address the emotional understanding required to respect personal boundaries. Frequent reminders can help, but they may not provide the comprehensive understanding that social stories offer, as they do not reinforce the underlying reasons for maintaining personal space.