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...
Preparing for The New Year Halfway Through the School Year
Break times, whether they be summer break, weekends, or longer seasonal breaks, should definitely be used to rest, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. If you’re anything like me, a few days of that and a few days of getting work done is the best mix when...
How To Know What Prompt Levels a Learner Benefits From
The use of prompts is necessary when teaching new skills to learners, especially when using errorless learning. There is a fine line between over prompting and under prompting. My team and I have worked hard to distinguish the difference of both and what that might...
How to Increase Independence in Large Group
I have had experience teaching in a public-school setting, a therapeutic day school setting, and now I am in an ABA clinic setting. In all these settings, I have seen many skills within small and large groups needed for all of my learners. The skill of being able to...
Strategies to Implement Within the Home
Anyone who is a parent, guardian, or a caregiver for someone knows that it is practically impossible to set up a home that mirrors school. If you are someone like me who is working a full-time job outside of the home, follow-through within the home on teaching...
The Autism Helper’s Executive Functions Masterclass Put Into Practice
The executive functions course was an eye opener for myself and how I teach. Then when I got into researching Dr. Robert Schramm and Dr. Greg Hanley, I reviewed the way I taught in the past and what I want to change for the future. Teaching these skills with...
Writing Goals That Fit Individual Needs
Whether you are in a school setting, clinic setting, or an in-home setting, finding goals and targets that meet a learner’s needs can be overwhelming. There may be many skills that are needed to target, or you may have a learner who his independent in most domains and...
Ideas for Using Task Strips and Token Boards
In the classroom and clinic settings, my team and I have used many strategies and supports to shape the maladaptive behaviors of our learners. We have had many conversations and debates on when to use a task strip versus a token board. I will admit that when I started...
Implementing the Time Management Resources
Time management and waiting are skills that not all learners have without being taught. In order to engage in large groups, small groups, and 1:1 learning opportunities, our learners will benefit from being taught how to wait and manage their time. When presenting...
How To Teach Rule Following
Rules and routines are a large part of classroom functioning. Management of the classroom and instructional control come from clear and concise definitions of rules. Creating rules as a group or individually does not always have to be a lecturing style. Teaching and...