April is Autism Acceptance month, and the world celebrates those with autism on April 2nd. I’m a firm believer that autism acceptance is a year round adventure. However, this month is a perfect time to get started advocating for your students and educating your school’s population about autism. A few months back I did a post on what to do if your class is excluded. First, let me say that it breaks my heart to hear so many stories of special education classes being excluded. This is wrong. Your students have a right to be included – it’s the law. Don’t fall silent and believe nothing can be done to change the way your students are treated. It’s our job as educators to help break the cycle of exclusion. This starts with education. One of the things I’ve found most successful and impactful is to educate the student population on autism and how to be a friend to autistic students. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in teaching our students social skills, we miss the opportunity to teach social skills to the general education population. This month is a great time to get started, so I’ve rounded up some resources and tips to help you on your journey to inclusion and understanding. Warning: This post is full of links. Be prepared to have a million tabs open on your browser!
OAR has a ton of FREE resources for teachers and students. The Teacher’s Corner is filled with great tip for teachers. I happen to love The 6 Steps to Success: ASD. This resource is outstanding for inclusion! Every educator could benefit from reading it. The student section has great resources as well. There are activity workbooks for grades K-8, with a quiz afterward for students to show off their gained knowledge. There are additional resources for high school students, too. Check out their Kit for Kids for more. My favorite resource is the video What’s Up With Nick. I use this in my lesson for 1st and 2nd graders. This short 3 minute video is a great, quick explanation of autism and what it can look like at school.
For younger students, try checking out Sesame Street’s resources on Julia, their autistic character. I love the video Sesame Street and Autism: We’re Amazing 1, 2, 3! They also have a book about Julia, too! Buy the book here, or use the free digital book and read it aloud in the classroom. It’s also available for free on Epic! (If you aren’t using Epic!. in your classroom, you are seriously missing out!). Be sure to go over how to be a good friend, too! Sesame Street gives tips on how to be a good friend here. Ask your music teacher to share or teach The Amazing Song! You can find the lyrics here. Finally, Sesame Street gives great tips for adults on how to talk about autism. This is a great link to share with teachers or parents – remember, inclusion starts with you (thank you, Chrissy)! Share it with your administrators and ask for it to be included in newsletters or school-wide communication. Be one who educates your community!
A great, quick read aloud for younger kiddos is Since We’re Friends: An Autism Picture Book, by Celeste Shally. I use the free version for educators on Epic! and read it aloud to students when presenting. I love that this book gives real world examples of how to be a friend and situations general education students may not know how to respond to.
Sara Leach is a talented author with several books for 1st-3rd graders that star an autistic girl named Lauren. These would make great read alouds or perfect for an independent reading choice for your students. I enjoyed both Slug Days and Penguin Days. You can find both for free on Epic! or click on the pictures for links to the hardback copies on Amazon.
I love this video for elementary aged students. Marvelous Max is a quick, 3 minute video to help promote understanding and inclusion. They offer a free book for teachers, too! Register for the free book here.I grabbed my copy last year and lend it out to general education teachers to use as a resource.
The National Autistic Society has a ton of resources that are great for middle school and high school students. I’ve linked several of my favorites. The first two videos help those without autism experience what an autistic person might experience daily. They’ve even created a virtual reality experience with the help of autistic adults to help us understand what they experience daily (the last video). The third video, called “Amazing Things Happen”, by Alexander Amelines, strives to bring awareness and understanding and would be great for all ages. I highly suggest checking out their YouTube channel for more.
The Autism Helper’s Autism Acceptance Unit has everything you need for a no prep presentation and ready-to-go interactive true/false sheets perfect to make an autism awareness bulletin board! I’m a huge fan of anything that can be adapted to all grade levels and this product does just that! My favorite part is the section on how to be a friend to an autistic person and discussion prompts.
Like I said before, not everything will go perfect on your journey to inclusion. Culture change takes time, so don’t be discouraged. My favorite way to promote inclusion and acceptance is to share a presentation with students and staff. However, sometimes that just isn’t possible. Here are some easy things to do to get started without directly presenting to staff and students:
Rules by Cynthia Lord, is about a girl named Catherine. Her brother, David, is autistic. I love that this book brings awareness for autism, AAC devices, and children who are wheelchair bound.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt about a girl diagnosed with dyslexia. Not every disability is visible – this is a great reminder that some disabilities are unable to be seen.
My all-time favorite read aloud is Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. Melody, a girl with cerebral palsy, is brilliant but no one knows it until she gets an AAC and she’s able to communicate with her peers.
Bringing acceptance and understanding is a part of our job. Your students are valuable members of the student population. Start advocating and educating now to create a culture change in your school and within your community. You might be uncomfortable sharing at first, but the more you do it the easier it will get. Embrace this month! Use it as an opportunity to share your knowledge and welcome questions. You can do it!
I’m always looking for great resources on autism. Do you have one you love? I’d love to see what you do to bring acceptance to your school and community, too! Share your ideas and resources in the comment section. I can’t wait to learn from you all!
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3 Biggest Mistakes in Behavior Plans (and how to fix them) Register for the WebinarIn this session, learn how to identify the skill deficits that your students are struggling with under the area of executive functioning skills. Embrace the power of ‘yet’ – these are skills they don’t have, yet. Learn how to approach teaching and developing these skills with the same rigor and systematic planning that we give to other areas of need. Identify ways to setup an environment that promotes independence and problem solving. Finally, learn how to track progress and fade assistance.
The Real Life Skills of Executive Functions: a Growth Mindset ApproachIn this session, learn how to identify the skill deficits that your students are struggling with under the area of executive functioning skills. Embrace the power of ‘yet’ – these are skills they don’t have, yet. Learn how to approach teaching and developing these skills with the same rigor and systematic planning that we give to other areas of need. Identify ways to setup an environment that promotes independence and problem solving. Finally, learn how to track progress and fade assistance.
10 Dos and Don'ts of Classroom SchedulesSchedules are an essential component to any effective classroom. Schedules let us know when transitions will occur, the order of activities, and alerts us to changes. For children with autism who may struggle with receptive language processing, schedules are even more important. Effective use of schedules can increase functional independence and decrease negative behaviors and anxiety. However, there are some common pitfalls we fall into when it comes to appropriate schedule use. Learn my 10 dos and don’ts for classroom schedules and make the most out of this must-have strategy!
Data Full Day SessionThe key to successful data collection is to make it easy and doable! No matter how great your data system is – if it’s too complicated you won’t use it. In this session, learn how to make your data system work for you. We will discuss ways to take data that are efficient, time saving, and useful for both academic and behavior data.In this session, we will review using rubrics, rate of responding, frequency count, and tracking prompt levels to take data on both basic and more complex skills. Learn how to create specific and individualized data sheets in a fast and simple way. Once you have all this data, you need to know what to do with. Making data based decisions is critical in determining if progress has been made. Learn how to use your academic data to drive your instructional decisions and plan supplemental activities, write additional goals, or strengthen foundational skills. Utilize behavioral data to create function based interventions, determine the success of behavior plans, and increase functional skills. Organization is the major component to a successful data system. We will discuss methods of organizing your data so you can access it readily. Staff training is also essential. Learn how to work with your staff so data is taken consistently across all areas of your classroom! Offered as a one or two day session.
Behavior Change Full DayThis full day workshop will offer practical solutions to foster increases in positive behaviors and decreases in problem behaviors. This session will begin by exploring how to apply these strategies to everyday situations in an applicable and proactive way. This approach will focus on the changing outcomes of behaviors by looking at the entire context and approaching behavior from a function based perspective. Audience members will learn how conduct a thorough Functional Behavior Assessment, select appropriate and function-based strategies, and analyze data to determine growth and next steps. This workshop highlights ready to use interventions and real-life scenarios. The concepts can be applied to a wide range of environments
Can’t Do or Won’t Do? Solving Classroom Challenges Using Positive Reinforcement & Executive Functioning Skill Building
The goal for all general education and special education students is to be learning, engaged, and independent. Begin this process by identifying each learning and behavioral challenge as a Can’t Do or Won’t Do. Is the work or work process beyond your child’s skill level or is the motivation to complete the task not there? Explore learning obstacles by improving executive functioning skills and adapting academic work. Add a proactive element to your behavior management system by implementing positive reinforcement to increase positive behaviors within your class. This session is jam packed with ready to use strategies for general education and special education classrooms.
Adapted Books: a Literacy Based Solution for Engaging IEP InstructionLearn how to target a wide range of literacy goals for early childhood students using interactive and hands-on adapted books. An adapted book is any book that has been modified in some way that makes it more accessible. Adding moveable pieces, simplified text, and visually based comprehension activities to your existing favorite books can help increase student engagement. In this session, we will explore ways to create your own adapted books that build both foundational language skills and more advanced literacy concepts.
Creating a Communication-Rich Environment for Your Preschoolers to Improve Literacy and IndependenceIn this full day workshop, we will explore methods to increase vocabulary, literacy skills, independence, and communication skills in your preschool students! The day begins with an in-depth look at the importance of building vocabulary for all preschoolers. Increased vocabulary will lead to more advanced reading skills in early elementary and overall school achievement. This session will explore using higher order thinking questions, play based learning, a focused read aloud, discrete trial training, and fluency instruction to build vocabulary with your preschoolers. We will also examine how appropriate and purposeful use of visuals helps build executive functioning skills with our younger learners. Learn how to utilize visuals to improve organization, planning, following directions, problem solving, and cognitive flexibility with preschool students. We will explore specific strategies and examples of how to create visuals, teach appropriate use, and utilize on a daily basis.
Functional LiteracyThis session will examine literacy instruction for all types of students. We will review instructional planning, activity ideas, and specific interventions. Students with autism benefit from structured tasks, the use of visuals, multiple exemplars, discrimination training, and routine based instruction. Learn how you can incorporate these strategies into your functional literacy instruction.
Using Your Academic Data to Making Curricular DecisionsLearn how to use your academic data to drive your instructional decisions. Explore a variety of ways to effectively and efficiently take data that is useful. In this session, we will review using rubrics, rate of responding, frequency count, and tracking prompt levels to take data on both basic and more complex academic skills. After collecting the data, then you need to use it! Learn how to utilize your data to plan supplemental activities, write additional goals, or strengthen foundational skills.
Behavior Contingency MapsWe live in a rule-driven world yet so often our children and adults lack the understanding of these guidelines. Behavior Contingency Maps show a visual representation of everyday rules. These maps illustrate the consequences that result from both appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. These maps are an ABA based intervention and help identify the ABC pattern of behavior (antecedent, behavior, consequence) and will give your student or child a concrete way of understanding that “if, then” relationship – “If you do this, this will happen.” In this session, audience members will explore the purpose & use of Behavior Contingency Maps as well as leave ready to implement this strategy immediately in an effective and positive way!
Behavior Contingency MapsWe live in a rule-driven world yet so often our children and adults lack the understanding of these guidelines. Behavior Contingency Maps show a visual representation of everyday rules. These maps illustrate the consequences that result from both appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. These maps are an ABA based intervention and help identify the ABC pattern of behavior (antecedent, behavior, consequence) and will give your student or child a concrete way of understanding that “if, then” relationship – “If you do this, this will happen.” In this session, audience members will explore the purpose & use of Behavior Contingency Maps as well as leave ready to implement this strategy immediately in an effective and positive way!
Using Organization and Structure to work with Individuals with DisabilitiesWorking with the adult population can be very challenging. It can be tricky to navigate the often under-funded world of adult education in a way that is helpful and age appropriate for our adults. It’s a daunting task to create an environment that is meaningful and engaging. Individuals with autism are all so different and have a vast array of needs. In this session learn how to organize, setup, and structure your adult day program classroom. We will discuss everything from creating an efficient schedule, the physical structure, using visuals, creating a data system, and beginning curricular planning.
Data Collection: Making it Easy and UsefulThe key to successful data collection is to make it easy and doable! No matter how great your data system is – if it’s too complicated you won’t use it. In this session, learn how to make your data system work for you. Learn how to create specific and individualized data sheets in a fast and simple way. We will discuss ways to take data that are efficient, time saving, and useful. Once you have all this data, you need to know what to do with. Making data based decisions is critical in determining if progress has been made. Organization is the major component to a successful data system. We will discuss methods of organizing your data so you can access it readily. Staff training is also essential. Learn how to work with your staff so data is taken consistently across all areas of your classroom!
Literacy Instruction for Children with AutismChildren with autism are capable of learning to read when provided structured and individualized instruction! This session will provide detailed instruction on strategies to teach pre-reading skills, oral reading fluency, sight word recognition, reading comprehension, and word attack skills. This session will be focused on methods to organize and implement these strategies within special education classrooms for students with autism. Students with autism benefit from structured tasks, the use of visuals, multiple exemplars, discrimination training, and routine based instruction. Learn how you can incorporate these strategies to effectively teaching reading to students with autism. This session will also focus on the organizational aspect of reading instruction. We will discuss scheduling, grouping students, training paraprofessionals, and more!
Reducing Problem Behavior Using Function Based InterventionsAggression and other problem behaviors can be the biggest obstacle to running a successful classroom. Whether extreme or mild, these behaviors can stop our teaching and halt student progress. In this session, learn how to use function-based interventions to efficiently and effectively reduce problem behaviors. In this workshop, begin by identifying target behaviors and determine the reason behind these maladaptive responses. Use this information to select an appropriate and effective intervention. In this session, we will discuss a multitude of interventions for each type of behavior.
Behavior Change – the Good, the Bad, and the UglyThis keynote presentation is perfect for a varied audience. Teachers, parents, clinicians, and other support staff will benefit from this proactive and real-world based perspective on behavior change. In this workshop, we will investigate how to increase positive behaviors, decrease negative behaviors, and how to handle emergency situations where nothing goes as planned!
Seven Steps for Setting Up a Stellar Autism RoomIt’s a daunting tasks setting up an autism classroom or appropriately integrating students with autism into the general education setting. Students with autism are all so different and have a vast array of needs. Many of these learners need to be taught individually. It can seem impossible to effectively teach a group of such different students when so many of us our understaffed. In this session learn how to organize, setup, and structure your classroom. We will discuss everything from creating an efficient classroom schedule, the physical structure, using visuals, creating a data system, and beginning your curricular planning.
Fluency Instruction – Make it Functional! Make it Fast!Fluency is accuracy plus speed and is a must-have when it comes to making the skills we teach functional in the real world. Learn how to implement fluency instruction in your classroom with this interactive workshop. This presentation covers instructional strategies for both lower level learners and more advanced academic and functional skill sets.
Adapting AcademicsLearn how to create curriculum that is engaging, appropriate, and at your child’s level. In this presentation we will go through a variety of instructional techniques, program goals, and material suggestions for language arts and math instruction. This workshop is incorporates ideas for all levels of learners.
