AIM For Change! Using Special Interests in the Classroom by

Dates

autismcenter — 2024-10-07 18:56:07 UTC

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

February 19, 2026

February 26, 2026

March 5, 2026

OCCRRA Information

autismcenter — 2024-10-07 19:14:20 UTC

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.

Credit Information

autismcenter — 2024-10-07 19:17:42 UTC

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.

Autism Internet Modules Account Information

autismcenter — 2024-10-07 19:22:13 UTC

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

Contact Information

autismcenter — 2024-10-07 19:31:10 UTC

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

Bobby's Special Interests in the Classroom Examples

autismcenter — 2024-10-07 19:39:04 UTC

Jill Kuzma's Social/Emotional Skills Sharing Site

autismcenter — 2024-10-07 19:42:42 UTC

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

autismcenter — 2024-10-07 19:52:42 UTC

Book by Paula Kluth and Patrick Schwarz

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

Book: Pedro's Whale

autismcenter — 2024-10-07 19:53:41 UTC

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/

Suggested Module Tasks

bobby_huffman — 2024-10-22 02:42:33 UTC

Complete Pre-Assessment Using Special Interests in the Classroom
Read Pages 2-16 Using Special Interests in the Classroom
Complete Pre-Assessment: Restricted Behaviors Module
Optional: Get to know a person’s special interest

Suggested Module Tasks

bobby_huffman — 2024-10-22 02:44:57 UTC

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.

Suggested Module Tasks

bobby_huffman — 2024-10-22 02:47:25 UTC

1.Read pages 11-20 Restricted Behaviors Module

2.Complete Post Assessment of Using Special interests

3.Complete Post Assessment of Restricted Behaviors Module

How to Set Up Your AIM Account

bobby_huffman — 2024-10-22 03:15:49 UTC

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

Suggested Module Tasks

bobby_huffman — 2024-10-22 03:19:28 UTC

The homework assignments are due before each webinar date.

Session 1 Learning Objectives

bobby_huffman — 2024-10-22 03:26:26 UTC

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

Session 2 Learning Objective

bobby_huffman — 2024-10-22 03:28:22 UTC

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

Session 3 Learning Objective

bobby_huffman — 2024-10-22 03:31:04 UTC

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

List of Special Interests From Our Session

bobby_huffman — 2024-11-04 15:50:40 UTC

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

Challenges people reported in the chat with special interests

bobby_huffman — 2024-11-04 15:55:47 UTC

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

Webinar 2: Powerpoint Slides

bobby_huffman — 2024-11-14 03:25:02 UTC

Session 2 started on Slide Number 46

MSWO Reinforcement Assessment

bobby_huffman — 2024-11-14 03:28:11 UTC

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

MSWO Preference Assessment Video

bobby_huffman — 2024-11-15 03:22:45 UTC

Webinar 3: Powerpoint Slides

bobby_huffman — 2024-12-06 02:19:25 UTC

Webinar 3 Begins on Slide Number 75

autismcenter — 2024-12-06 12:54:42 UTC

Special Interest Intervention for Meal Time

bobby_huffman — 2024-12-08 19:29:32 UTC

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.

Power Card Strategy Presentation

bobby_huffman — 2024-12-13 04:30:18 UTC

Using Special Interests Research Article

bobby_huffman — 2024-12-13 04:36:10 UTC

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

Autism Center 10 Minute Takes-Preference Assessments

autismcenter — 2026-01-29 14:33:15 UTC

Webinar 1: Webinar Powerpoint Slides

bobby_huffman — 2026-01-29 20:53:40 UTC

Webinar 1 Questions/Answers

bobby_huffman — 2026-02-21 20:20:44 UTC

Webinar 2 Chat Questions/Answers

bobby_huffman — 2026-02-21 20:21:39 UTC

Webinar 3 Questions/Answers

bobby_huffman — 2026-02-21 20:22:30 UTC

Setting up a Token Economy

bobby_huffman — 2026-02-27 20:54:37 UTC

Special Interest Article

bobby_huffman — 2026-03-04 23:41:50 UTC

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