Skip to content

Classroom setup

Transition Strategies to Stop Meltdowns in Autism Units and with ANY student!

Transition Strategies to Stop Meltdowns

    Transition Strategies to Stop Meltdowns

    Are you working with students who have Autism? Students with transition issues? Or just students period. Lots of different types of kids can struggle with having to transition from activity to activity. It is a very unstructured process that isn’t good for everyone. What can you do? Try these transitions strategies to stop meltdown when it’s time to move on.

    Transition Strategies to Stop Meltdowns in Autism Units and with ANY student!

    [dt_gap height=”10″ /]

    Read More »Transition Strategies to Stop Meltdowns

    6 great tips on increasing parent engagement in your Autism Unit PLUS a FREE Editable Newsletter Template!

    Parent Engagement in Autism Units

      Parent Engagement in Autism Units

      As teachers in self contained classes or Autism Units, we are tasked with being care takes, educators, advocates, surrogates, and darn near family for each student we work with. Sometimes we can start to forget that fostering a friendly relationship with parents is also part of the job. Parent engagement in Autism units is important. So how can you do those little things that help parents feel involved, help you grow a stronger relationship, and provide moms and dads with a full experience as the parent of a school-aged kid.

       Increasing Parent Engagement in YOUR Autism Unit

      Read More »Parent Engagement in Autism Units

      There are so many working parts in a self contained or Autism Unit. See what you can do to survive and thrive in a self contained classroom!

      Survive and Thrive in a Self Contained Classroom

        Survive and Thrive in a Self Contained Classroom

        When I walked into my first LIFE Skills classroom I was teaching so many different leveled students so many subjects (seemingly at the same time) I really didn’t know where to start. Like a lot of new teachers, I thought I could teach in self contained like I taught before- whole groups where I “performed” and called students to perform back on cue. Problem is self contained does NOT work that way. When you ask for a performance, you’ll likely get something you did not anticipate. I was in the classroom with non-responsive students, high functioning Autistic students, emotionally disabled students with a bevy of behavior problems, and students with Down Syndrome and varying levels of functioning depending on the task. I had a hard time planning lessons. After much trial and error, I found that the following things were absolutely necessary to survive and thrive in a self contained classroom.

        [dt_gap height=”10″ /]There are so many working parts in a self contained or Autism Unit. See what you can do to survive and thrive in a self contained classroom![dt_gap height=”10″ /]Read More »Survive and Thrive in a Self Contained Classroom

        Laminating Hacks for Teachers - How to Make Hands on Manipulatives

        Laminating Hacks for Teachers

          Are you looking for a cheap and easy alternative to laminating pouches? We’ve got 5 laminating hacks for teachers plus a bonus you can find in your kitchen!

          Autism Classroom Setup

            Autism Classroom Setup: 10 Things Every Autism Classroom Teacher Needs from Amazon

            The other day I was walking in Wal-Mart and I was so sad to see back to school stuff! Fourth of July picnic and party supplies are not even on final clearance yet… why are they reminding me that school will be back in session before I can even toast my buns on the grill and down my summer adult beverage.

            The one thing that does satisfy my summer relaxation and obsession with school perfection is shopping for school supplies. I have even taken to letting my kids order their school stuff on Amazon as opposed to schlep the whole crew to the store and fight the impulse buys and the marker boxes that are not exactly what was on the back to school list. They like it and with my Amazon Prime subscription, it comes to my house shipping-free and hassle-free.

            This year is the first time I will order my back to school essentials from Amazon as well. With all the browsing and price comparison, I thought I’d share my order top 10 so you can see what I think are essentials for every teacher in Autism Units or Self-Contained settings.

            Autism Classroom Setup: These are the 10 things every Autism Classroom Teacher Needs from Amazon. Yeah, you’ll love number 11!Read More »Autism Classroom Setup