Math Skills and Milestones For Early Learners
Math lessons are often skipped over in early childhood classrooms. Math curriculums are not the easiest to find and most are hard to adapt to all of our learner's individual needs. As a teacher, I often struggled to come up with ways to teach early math skills as well...
Michelle’s Classroom Tour: Task Box Center
I am so excited to show you my classroom’s independent task box center! Independent skills are a must-have in any special education classroom. In fact, the more independent skills we can teach and promote, the better! I have a total of four independent centers in...
How to Set Up and Implement Your Independent Workbox System
If you have been following along with my blog posts, you know that I just love organization. Ok, love might not be a strong enough word…I AM OBSESSED with being organized. Everything needs a system to be able to run smoothly, especially in our classrooms. Follow...
The Communication Work Task Mega Pack in Action
In the market to beef up your independent work task activities? Look no further, the Communication Based Work Task Mega Pack has it all. If you keep up with The Autism Helper team, then you know how much we all love and vouch for student independence. This resource...
Taking Data on Independent Work Stations
Independent Work Independent work tasks are a must-have within the classroom. These are also beneficial within the home and the clinic settings if your child or learner struggles with working and playing independently. Independent work is a life skill that is...
5 Independent Workboxes Created from Dollar Tree Items
In my last blog post, Dollar Tree Must-Haves: Workbox Edition, I shared the basic items for getting your library of workboxes started and some of my favorite purchases for creating workboxes. If you missed my last post, click here to check it out. So you have the...
The Dos and Don’ts of Independent Work
Two weeks ago, I shared with readers some simple ways to keep your classroom running when you’re short staffed. This week we are talking all about independent work! Not only are independent work blocks an easy way to help students work on skills like organization,...
Using The PPLAC For Play With Our Learners
Play is important for all people in all grades. In the classroom, at a center, in the home, everywhere! Play is the best way for all learners to experience their world and connect with peers and adults within their environment. Did you know that play serves a purpose...
Dollar Tree Must-Haves: Workbox Edition
It’s no secret that many of us use our own hard-earned money to purchase items for our classrooms. Whether you are purchasing items to stay organized in the classroom, reinforcers, sensory items, classroom supplies, workbox items, etc., the bill can add up quickly. ...
How to Use Digital Easy Matching Weekly Workbooks
I'm here to talk about how to use the spectacular Digital Easy Matching Weekly Workbooks from The Autism Helper! So, who remembers remote teaching/distance learning/virtual school? I mean, how could we forget it?! The most significant tool/teaching resource I have...
Using TAH Resources With Older Students
One part of my OT assignment includes working in a life skill program for high school students 14-18 and a transition program for students 18-21 years old. The focus of these programs includes learning important skills to prepare for adult life. As an OT, I work...
Independent Work Systems for Younger Students
I'm a huge fan of teaching independent work. In fact, I've talked before about how independent work has saved my classroom. Independent work can free your time so you are able to teach, access, and work with small groups while other students are working. It can work...
How To Expand On “Put-In” Tasks
Working in an early childhood classroom, I have seen a lot of "put-in" and even "take out" tasks. These tasks are wonderful and work on many skills including hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, problem solving, and much more! I have seen everything from putting...
Play Targets, Language Targets, and Free Cheat Sheets
This post turned out to be an unplanned part 2 of my blog How To Set Up Structured Play Boxes! After pulling some toys and getting the boxes we wanted together, we had to create ways in which the team would use them. How would these boxes benefit our learners the...
Encouraging Independence During Remote Learning
Many of our families are struggling teaching functional routines such as dressing, hand washing, what to do when you are leaving the house, how to clean up after eating, etc. When we were in the classroom, we worked on these skills and kept data on these routines and...
Proactive Strategies for Behavior Part 2
Recap of Part 1 In part 1 of my list of proactive strategies (check it out here), I reviewed the beginning steps of being proactive. Whether in a full remote, hybrid, or in person model right now and in the future, these steps will help. Being proactive when teaching...
Proactive Strategies for Behavior- Part 1
Prepare your learners and their caregivers Many of our learners may be struggling at this time during remote learning, a hybrid model, or even an in person model. Any model that a school district may be following includes more and more changes. I am beginning to see...
Using Boom Cards
You may have been hearing a lot about Boom Cards lately. They are interactive task cards you can use from any device or browser and they track data. They are PERFECT for distance learning but I also think this will be so useful when you are back in the classroom....
How to Set Up Independent Work in Early Childhood
The benefits of independent work are absolutely abundant. No, it is not “busy work” so if you’re thinking that just go ahead and release that thought! We all have to learn to work independently at some point. Finding the right structure and work...
Focus on Five: My Favorite Task Box Activities
This month, we are focusing on tasks and activities at The Autism Helper and in this post, I am going to highlight some of my favorite task boxes I have in my classroom. I have a variety of tasks that range from academic to functional for a variety of learners,...