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The homework assignments are due before each webinar date.

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In this video, Bobby shows you how to set up your AIM Account and how to access the modules.

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Participants will be able to identify different ways special interests function for individuals with autism.

Participants will be able to identify how to incorporate special interests into visuals used for instruction

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1. Complete Pre-Assessment Using Special Interests in the Classroom

2. Read Pages 2-16 Using Special Interests in the Classroom

3. Complete Pre-Assessment: Restricted Behaviors Module

4. Optional: Get to know a person’s special interest

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Participants will be able to identify how to enhance instructional academic materials specifically targeting language arts and math.

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Webinar 3 Begins on Slide Number 75

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1.Read pages 11-20 Restricted Behaviors Module

2.Complete Post Assessment of Using Special interests

3.Complete Post Assessment of Restricted Behaviors Module

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All sessions will be from 7:30-8:30am

February 19, 2026

February 26, 2026

March 5, 2026

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Autism Internet Modules Account Information

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Autism Internet Modules Account Information

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Here is information on creating your FREE Autism Internet Module account.

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A certificate of attendance will be issued at the end of this series for the hours you have attended the in-person portion. You will also be able to access a certificate to download for the AIM modules you have completed from your AIM account.

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You must attend all three sessions and complete the assigned Autism Internet Modules in order to receive six hours of OCCRRA credit. You will need to mail the completed AIM certificates to kelsy_kirby@ocali.org once they are completed for verification.

Please search for ST 10158600 in order to register yourself.

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Bobby Huffman (Presenter) Bobby_Huffman@ocali.org

Kelsy Kirby (OCALI Facilitator/Credit Questions) kelsy_kirby@ocali.org

Julie Short (OCALI Facilitator) Julie_Short@ocali.org

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Real-life book by Paula Kluth based on the book Just Give Him the Whale

Available from the OCALI Lending Library

https://ocali.kohacatalog.com/

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SAVE when you order the guide and the illustrated children's story together !

Based on the real-life event that inspired Paula Kluth and Patrick Schwarz's bestselling " Just Give Him the Whale! ," this simple but powerful story introduces educators to one of the best, most effective inclusion strategies: using students' fascinations to help them learn.

Pedro, a young boy who loves whales more than anything, is heartbroken when he's told to put away his favorite toy whale on the first day of school. But then Pedro's teacher discovers the secret to helping him do his best work: not only giving him his whale, but also incorporating his special interest into the whole curriculum. Soon, Pedro's whale is helping all the children learn, as the teacher works whales into math lessons, storytime, simple science experiments, and more! Pedro's whale helps him make friends, too, as the other children start to share his special interest.

An ideal teaching tool, Pedro's Whale will inspire educators to harness their students' natural motivations. The engaging, full-color illustrations (by Justin Canha, a gifted artist on the autism spectrum) also make this book perfect for storytime, so all children can increase their sensitivity to peers with special needs and learning differences.

Everyone who reads Pedro's Whale will remember its eye-opening message: when you work with instead of against what students love, they feel safe, happy, and ready to learn. Used in tandem with "Just Give Him the Whale! ," this enlightening story will help teachers maximize inclusion and ensure that students with and without disabilities reach their full potential.

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Pedro's Whale [Paula Kluth, Schwarz Ph.D., Patrick, Canha, Justin] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Pedro's Whale

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Using Special Interests Research Article

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Using Special Interests Research Article

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Here is some research I did at OSU when I got super goofy with special interests :)

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Bobby's Special Interests in the Classroom Examples

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Bobby's Special Interests in the Classroom Examples

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Book: Just Give Him the Whale: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism! 

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Book: Just Give Him the Whale: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism! 

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Book by Paula Kluth and Patrick Schwarz

Available from the OCALI Lending Library https://ocali.kohacatalog.com/

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Just Give Him the Whale!: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism

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Just Give Him the Whale!: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism [Paula Kluth, Patrick Schwarz] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.

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Participants will be able to identify how to incorporate special interests into interventions that target self-management skills.

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Session 2 started on Slide Number 46

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Jill Kuzma's Social/Emotional Skills Sharing Site

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Jill Kuzma's Social/Emotional Skills Sharing Site

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1.Read: Pages 17-25 Using Special Interests in the Classroom

2.Read Pages 1-10 Restricted Behaviors Module

3.Optional: Identify how you could use a special interest to increase a specific skill. We will discuss in the chat.

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List of Special Interests From Our Session

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List of Special Interests From Our Session

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Below are the special interests people listed in the chat they've noticed with previous/current students:

Generators

Cell Towers

Space/Trains

Light Bulbs

Bee Gees The band

Characters from Disney

Gargoyles

Flags

Ships

Trains

Super Mario

Security Systems

Vacuum Cleaner

Book Characters from Dog Man

Military History

Helicopters

Godzilla

Outdoor survival skills

State Capitals

Maps

World War 1 and 2

Movie Lnes,

Weather

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Challenges people reported in the chat with special interests

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Challenges people reported in the chat with special interests

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When peers view the interest as childish

Cause class interruptions

Unable to attend

Transitioning from the special interests

Difficulty connecting in escalated moments if you don't know the interest

Impeding on social interactions

When peers laugh at the special interest

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There is an example in the Session Two webinar slides. Also, I always write the date under each session number.

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How to use the POWER CARD Strategy in your practice

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Video 94: Multiple Stimulus without Replacement (MSWO)

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Special Interest Intervention for Meal Time

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Special Interest Intervention for Meal Time

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Here are a few interventions I've used to support learners with ASD during meal times. This is the intervention I didn't get time to explain during our webinar on December 6th.

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Autism Center 10 Minute Takes-Preference Assessments

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Autism Center 10 Minute Takes-Preference Assessments

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Ever wish you could learn something new in the time it takes to sip your coffee? These bite-sized microlearning modules offer practical tips for anyone supporting individuals with autism or other disabilities.

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This is a neat article that reinforces a lot of the topics we discuss in this webinar series.

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Special Interests: 8 Ways to Support and Encourage ASD Passions

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Explore eight effective ways to support and nurture the special interests of individuals with ASD. Learn how to encourage and empower individuals with autism.