Differentiation in a General Education Classroom: Work at the Table
Differentiation in a general education classroom does take a lot of planning and prep, but don’t panic! Once we differentiate and create materials and resources, we save them for when another learner can benefit from using the same materials, even in school years in...
Differentiation in a General Education Classroom: Stations
Differentiation in a general education classroom does take a lot of planning and prep, but don’t panic! Differentiation is necessary for all learners. While we do it often for small groups, all areas of the classroom needs to include it. Not all learners are the same....
What To Include in an Individualized Education Program
As a special educator, IEPs are something that we have frequent contact with. Whether we are writing an IEP after an initial evaluation, re-evaluation, annual review, domain, updating goals and benchmarks, or reviewing accommodations and modifications, IEPs are legal...
Data and Interventions for Off-Task Behavior
Off a learner is off task, they can be demonstrating that behavior in many different ways. Off-task behavior can have the function of access, escape, attention, or a sensory need. Just like any other behavior, we start with our ABC data and meet as a team to analyze...
The Benefits of Cooking in the Classroom
Did you know that by incorporating cooking into your lesson plans, your students will continue to work on several skills? Cooking is an excellent opportunity to work on academic and functional skills by creating hands-on learning experiences for your students and...
Discrete Trial Training in a General Education Setting
I have had the wonderful opportunity to teach, train, and work with many wonderful general education and special education professionals within my career. One area of focus has constantly been modifying and working with learners who benefit from discrete trial....
Progress Monitoring and Small Groups in Kindergarten
This year is my first real experience in kindergarten. I have been having a blast working with a new team of educators and learning about the skills at this developmental age. With a son who started kindergarten this year as well, I am learning how hard kindergarten...
Starting The School Year As A New Staff Member
This year I am starting a new position in a new school district. I am a support personnel working in 3 classrooms to help support students with IEPs, maladaptive behaviors, RTI support, and much more. I am so excited to be in a new school district and to learn all of...
Pairing Boxes for the Classroom
With the school year starting in just a few short weeks, it is essential to remember to take the time to build rapport with your students. We want to be a reinforcer to our students to increase the likelihood of them wanting to work with us, especially when demands...
IEP Goal Examples: Language and Literacy
Language and literacy goals will be very individualized, just as any other goal. Language and literacy skills grow and build on one another. Children will grow and learn at their own pace, no matter what environment they share. Similar to my IEP goal example post...
Successful Student Transitions to a General Education Setting
The transition from a self-contained classroom to a general education setting is a huge milestone for the classroom team and the learner. It is something to celebrate! A learner who is going through this transition has gained skills and new independence. While...
Early Childhood Helpful Hints and Best Practices
Working as an educator is a lot to manage. Teachers are supervisors of their paraprofessionals, case managers of their students, managers and partners of the related service team members, advocates for their school and students, and so much more! I often...
Skills and Targets Families Can Carry Over
Working with families is an important part of any learner's success. There are strategies that I have found to be most successful. My team and I are sure to communicate with families in their preferred method at least once a week. Some families prefer daily notes,...
The Professional Development Membership Preview
Doors to The Autism Helper’s Professional Development Membership are opening soon. This membership has positively transformed me as an educator and I want to show you how it can transform you, too!Who is The Membership For?Are you a hard-working special education...
How To Implement ABA In The Classroom
Many of us know the advantages to ABA (applied behavior analysis) and what it can do for not only people with Autism, but in changing any human behavior. ABA was not started because of Autistic individuals. ABA is the science of human behavior that uses techniques and...