Sweet Summertime Activities
I cannot believe it’s time to be writing a summertime post! How is it already June (or maybe you’re thinking…finally)? I’ve rounded up some of my favorite activities that will help you finish up your year and get you started if you are continuing to summer...
Spring Weather & Surprise Eggs
After so much (welcomed) snow this year, I was equally as excited to break out weather and spring activities! This year I created some extension activities and added a surprise egg activity. All have been a hit! Check them out below. What ways can you individualize...
Autism Acceptance Week: An Opportunity to Learn and Celebrate
As a passionate advocate for Autism Acceptance, I’ve been reflecting on creating inclusive environments for all students. Schools should be places where every student feels seen, understood, and valued. This includes making a conscious effort to promote Autism...
Expanding on Kindergarten Reading Skills in the Spring
I love teaching in the spring! We can get outside more and increase hands-on experiences!. Spring is also a great time to fine-tune early reading and reading skills before they head to first grade. As kindergarten teachers, we can nurture a love for reading and help...
Spring Activities for Your Autism Classroom
Spring is a season of growth, renewal, and vibrant colors—making it the perfect time to create engaging activities for students with autism. These spring-themed ideas focus on sensory exploration, motor skills, and social interaction, all while celebrating the joys of...
Winter Themed Learning & Valentine’s Day
Let’s keep the themed, multi-level learning going with these fun Winter and Valentine’s Day themed activities! When I taught in the classroom, I frequently had multi-leveled groups, and using The Autism Helper’s resources were life changing. I love working smarter,...
Winter Activities for the Autism Classroom
Winter is a magical season, filled with opportunities for learning, fun, and sensory exploration. For special education teachers, creating engaging activities that cater to the diverse needs of students with autism is both rewarding and essential. Here are some...
Leveled Winter Activities
Happy New Year! I cannot believe another year has come and gone. It always feels great to reevaluate where you’re at with your kids/students/clients and see if it’s time to bump things up a bit! Don’t feel discouraged if you need to review the routines of your...
Winter Break Activities for Kindergarten-Aged Learners
Winter break is a special time to bond with your kindergarten-aged children and make lasting memories. This is also when I find myself trying to come up with fun activities to do as a family. I also recommend these to families when they ask for ideas. While the chilly...
Teaching Seasonal Vocabulary
Seasonal Vocabuarly Learning seasonal vocabulary can be an exciting way for students to connect with the world around them, and it’s especially helpful for autistic students. Here’s why teaching words like “autumn", "leaves,” “snowflake,” or “sunshine” can make a big...
Engaging December Activities for Early Learners!
I can hardly believe it’s already December! This month always arrives in the blink of an eye, but I’m thrilled to share that I came prepared this year with a lineup of fun, themed activities. My December plans are packed with engaging and differentiated tasks for the...
Surviving Until Christmas Break: How I Keep My Autism Classroom Festive and Functional
The countdown to Christmas break is always a tricky balance of excitement and exhaustion in a self-contained classroom. While the holidays bring joy, they also bring disruptions to routines, increased energy levels, and (let’s be honest) a bit of teacher burnout. Over...
Engaging Fall Activities!
The “ber” months are by far my most favorite! I love all the learning themes, the Fall and Winter seasons and different holidays. For this post I review some of my favorite multi learning activities that can encourage learning & language skills. Get ready for...
Benefits of a Therapy Dog
Dogs are generally known for their loyalty and affection toward their owners. A dog with the right personality can share these traits with others by becoming a therapy dog. Meet Lulu From the first time my family saw her, we knew Lulu had the perfect personality to...
School is Back in Session!
As the back-to-school season kicks in, I have been chatting with classroom teachers about their immediate must haves. While everyone is still getting a routine down, there have been some common themes of need. Let’s take a peek at communication logs and easy...
Two Easy and Efficient Ways to Train Staff
The days leading up to the beginning of the school year can quickly become filled with meetings, prepping the classroom, creating materials, etc., making it challenging to find time to train staff. Between being short-staffed and having limited time to train,...
The Best Summer Reads for Autism Teachers
I love to read! As a teacher, I think the love of reading is in my DNA. While most of my summer is filled with easy beach reads or thrillers I can't put down, I do squeeze in some professional reading. I'm sharing five excellent books that I've read over the past year...
10 Must-Haves for the Pool this Summer
Teaching happens year-round, as I am sure it does for several of you, but it looks a little different in the summer than during the school year for me. What I love most about summer is the opportunity to teach kids in the pool by improving their balance, coordination,...
Planning for a Successful Summer: A Guide for Parents
Planning for a Smooth Summer I'm 19 years into my parenting journey, and as a mom 3 teens (two of which are neurodivergent), I can say that summer can be stressful. Sure, summer can be a wonderful time for relaxation and fun, but it can also be a challenging period of...
Kicking off Summer Learning Fun!
Summer is a fantastic time to engage learners in fun, educational activities that can make Extended School Year (ESY) services and summer school even more enjoyable! I love incorporating a summer theme into lessons that can keep students motivated and eager to learn....
Ending the Year on a High Note
Have Fun, Organize, and Prepare As the school year winds down, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the tasks that need to be done. But with a little planning, you can end the year on a high note, making it fun for your students, efficiently packing up your...