Teach Like a Cheerleader!
In all professional sports, there is a distinct advantage for teams when playing at home. We call this the home field …
Teaching: Failing Required
“If what you are doing is working, it is an intervention. If it is not working, it is assessment.” This line is one a …
Helping Students with High Functioning Autism Reflect on their Behavior Using Contingency Comics
Increasing your student’s capacity to accurately reflect on their behavior in a manner that might influence future behavior is an uphill battle when it comes to supporting those with autism. I personally struggled with this as a high school teacher with my student Brandon over ten years ago. After seeking out different methodologies, …
The Social Stories Cheat Sheet
My first interaction with a Social Story came while teaching in a high school self contained program when a student with autism was having an escalation next …
Making Morning Check-ins Incredible for Students with Autism
The transition to school each day can be one of the most troubling times for a child with autism. While there is certainly a great …
Utilizing Minecraft and Other Highly Restricted Interests to Support Students with Autism
Successfully teaching students with autism how the world works often requires us getting to know a bit about their world first. This means coming to understand their individual interests, passions, and fears that drive them. Over the years as an Autism Specialist I have found that when you take a “highly restricted …
Autism on the Bus: Making It a Good Ride for Everyone
It is commonly known that many individuals with autism struggle with transitions, so it should be no surprise that the biggest transition in the day (the bus ride) can end up being very difficult for those on the spectrum. School busses are not what one would refer to as “sensory friendly” and the …
Making P.E. a Success for Students with Autism
The challenges that autism presents in a busy social environment can be difficult for anyone to support. The number of possible triggers in a place that is full …
For Educators in Need of Inspiration
We in education are not in the business of changing the world, we are in the business of changing worlds. If we want to bring our absolute best for kids every single day this is a vision we cannot loose sight of. I was personally reminded of this a …
Creating a Successful September TODAY for Students with Autism
As a new school year approaches, a number of worries can manifest for students with autism and their families. While educators do need to ensure steps are taken …