This article details some simple strategies and thought ideas to help you set about teaching inference to an autistic child.

It is always worth mentioning early that every autistic child is different and what works for one child may not work for another.

With that said however there are a number of common traits and characteristics which can be explored to tackle this issue.

What is inference?

The Collins English Dictionary defines inference as;

“a guess that you make or an opinion that you form based on the information that you have”.

It may also be helpful to give some examples of what inference means in practice;

“I don’t see Kirsty. She said she was tired, so she must have gone home to bed.”

“Laura has been going to the gym a lot, she must be trying to lose weight.”

“Fido is a dog, and all dogs love belly rubs. So he must love belly rubs.”

Autism and inference

Teaching inference to an autistic child can be difficult, as they may struggle with abstract thinking, social cues, and non-direct language.

However, with the right approach and strategies, it is possible to teach inference skills effectively. Here are some tactics to consider;

Use pictures to assist

Visual aids can be a powerful tool for teaching inference to an autistic child.

Pictures, diagrams, or videos can provide concrete examples of inference in action.

This can make it easier for the child to understand the concept.

For instance, showing a picture of people carrying umbrellas can lead to the inference that it is raining outside.

Teach non literal language

Autistic children may struggle with non-literal language, such as idioms, metaphors, or sarcasm.

These expressions can be confusing for an autistic child, as they tend to interpret language literally.

Teaching non-literal language explicitly can help the child understand when a speaker is using figurative language.

An example of this would be trying to explain the phrase “it’s bucketing it down outside” to describe heavy rain.

You could use buckets to pour water through a sieve onto figurines. Then when it actually rains you could point out to the child that it is “like there are buckets outside”.

Break down text

Inference often involves making connections between different pieces of information in a text.

Breaking down the text into smaller, more manageable sections can help the child understand the relationships between different parts of the text.

Additionally, highlighting or underlining important information can help the child focus on the relevant details.

If we looked at the earlier inference of Laura going to the gym and that she must be going to lose weight.

You could explain what happens at gyms in that people exercise and that this makes you lose weight.

So if Laura is going to the gym a lot she is likely to lose weight and that is her probable goal.

Context is critical for making inferences, as it provides clues about the meaning of the text.

Providing the child with contextual information can help them make connections between the text and their prior knowledge.

Use social stories

Social stories are a type of narrative that can help autistic children understand social situations, emotions, and behaviours.

Creating social stories that focus on inference can help the child understand the importance of making inferences in social situations.

For instance, a social story about a child who correctly infers that their friend is upset can demonstrate the benefits of inference in social interactions.

The story could demonstrate how a child doesn’t try to take a toy off a friend.

The reason being he saw she had previously been distressed when another child tried.

Use modelling

Modeling inference is an effective way to teach the skill to an autistic child.

Parents and teachers can read a text aloud and make inferences out loud, explaining how they arrived at their beliefs.

This technique can help the child understand the process of making inferences and learn the strategies for doing so effectively.

An example would be that you are reading a story about a child’s party being planned.

You could pause during the early stages of the book and say an inference out loud. Something like “There will be cake at the party” is an appropriate and relatable inference.

Reward progress

After time it may be that the child starts to use little bits of inference. You should be on alert to pick up on any such example and be sure to praise the child accordingly.

Summary – Teaching inference to an autistic child

Teaching inference to an autistic child requires a patient and supportive approach that is tailored to their individual needs.

With assistance, autistic children can learn to make accurate inferences, which can be a valuable skill in their schooling and social lives.