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...
IEP Goal Examples: Functional Routines
My goal is always to help other teachers with things that I struggled with. In my experience, it was hard to ask for help and I wanted people to believe that I had it all together. Being an educator is hard, and after my experiences, I learned that asking for help is...
3 Thing to Prep This Summer
Summer Prep When I'm on summer break, I don't want to do TOO much related to school. However, I've found that if I prep a few things here and there, I can make the back-to-school rush a little easier for myself. No matter if you are new to the classroom or an...
Using Visuals in the Classroom
Let’s talk about using visuals in a self-contained classroom! Visuals are a super important part of my learners’ day. Visuals help my students understand their environment. There are many types of visuals that I use in my classroom but for now, I want to...
Using QR Codes in the Classroom
I may be late to the game, but I love QR codes and all the great ways to put them to use in the classroom. Several years ago, I found an article about QR codes in the school environment. It was something I always wanted to implement. I started small by incorporating...
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...
All About Animals – Adapted Book
Raise your hand if you have an animal loving student in your classroom *every reader raises their hand*. If this is indeed the case, then look no further because this TAH resource is perfect for your classroom! The All About Animals Adapted Book utilizes a hot topic...
Morning Routines and More
Ring the Alarm - School is Back! The kids are going back to school which means it’s time for changing up our schedules and getting used to those early mornings. I returned to work this week and wow, it was hard! I was exhausted, cranky, and depended heavily on...
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...
Shaping Behavior Using Functional Communication
Functional communication training (FCT) happens when we teach our learners how to communicate in place of using maladaptive behaviors. The modality of functional communication is required to be individualized to each learner. This is because communication looks...
Multiuse Structure
You may not be QUITE ready to think about setting up your classroom for next year but in case you are, here are two of my favorite types of structure. Visual schedules and workstations. And if you have read any of my previous blogs, you know I love multiuse...
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...
Making Transitions Successful
Transitioning from early childhood to elementary school, elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school, and high school to postsecondary can bring on many emotions. Not only are emotions high for students with not knowing what will come with...
How To Start A Learner With An Object Schedule
Object schedules don’t have to be fancy! When creating them, I often need to remind myself to stop overthinking. When I started using object schedules, I tried to find objects that matched the area of the classroom exactly. After failing to find enough objects for a...
Using a Traveling Schedule
Today I want to share one of the most important tools that I implement within my classroom, the traveling visual schedule. This manilla folder is a one stop shop to student success. With an individualized schedule on the front and token economy board on the back, your...
March Fun!
As a special education teacher working in early childhood (both in the classroom and in homes), some of the most language-promoting activities I have done involved following a visual recipe. Now of course with COVID-19 and different protocols, this may have thrown a...
Visuals Are Everywhere
Visuals are everywhere, we rely on them daily and most of the time, we probably don’t even realize how much we are utilizing them. Think about when you drive somewhere new, order food at a restaurant, shop at the grocery store, or navigate your way through an...
Presents, Cookies, & Books for December!
The weather in Maryland is turning chilly again so what better way to keep active learning engagement than with presents, cookies, and themed books! There are so many ways to differentiate and extend the following activities so do not feel like you must stick with...