Teacher Toolkit by Ashlyn Quick https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40 Below are some helpful resources to inform educational practices in working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). en-us 2021-01-23 18:06:45 UTC 2021-04-24 22:04:21 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f34e.png AFIRM Modules quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1117296990 AFIRM stands for Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules. AFIRM offers many modules that provide information about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) including what it is and evidence based strategies for working with individuals with ASD. This resource is helpful for educators who are interested in both educating themselves on how ASD presents in different individuals, as well as how to work with individuals with ASD.]]> 2021-01-23 18:18:01 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1117296990 Spectrum News quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1117314059 Education depends on evidence based practices, which are informed by research. Spectrum News is a news source that can keep educators informed on the latest research on Autism Spectrum Disorder. This resource is important so educators can use this resources to inform their practice when working with students with ASD.]]> 2021-01-23 18:30:29 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1117314059 Uniquely Human by Dr. Barry Prizant quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1427397739 Uniquely Human by Dr. Barry Prizant is an extraordinary guide to autism. As the Associate Press states: It is a "must read for anyone touched by autism." I can use what I have learned in my classroom because I have learned more about autism in general, how autism is presented differently in everyone, how to use enthusiasms in my instruction, how to support those with autism with a steady routine and consistency, and so much more, as evidenced below!

Here are my personal top 5 takeaways from this book:
  1. One of the most important questions to ask is “why?” to get to the source of the problem (anxiety, emotional reaction, etc). A learner’s emotional memory might explain why they have certain reactions to seemingly harmless phrases or things.
  2. Enthusiasms can be used to intrinsically motivate students with autism. Integrating enthusiasms into instruction makes students with autism excited to learn and more focused on the content!
  3. You can build a trusting relationship with students with autism by staying consistent in schedules, expectations, and in general dependability. Always show you are listening and considering students’ feelings and anticipate anxieties. 
  4. Collaboration between teachers and families creates a team of support for the learner with autism. It is imperative to make families feel valued because they are the expert on their child.
  5. Rather than seeing a learning with autism as a “sum of their deficits,” have a perspective of the whole child. Focus on strengths that could aid students in succeeding, rather than what they can’t do. 

Here are my group's overall 5 top takeaways from the book:
  1. Asking yourself why is a huge aspect of supporting people with Autism. There is a reason for their dysregulation, emotions, actions, etc. They don’t deserve to be treated differently because we may not fully understand what they are going through. 
  2. Patience and trusting your intuition is imperative in working with students with autism.
  3. Community is important. It’s important to use your resources and to make sure everyone knows they are valued in the community. Collaborating with other professionals in your school and families are vital for student success. 
  4. Don’t forget to celebrate even the smallest of successes, and focus on the student’s strengths versus always focusing on their areas of weakness. 
  5. Treat those with autism like a PERSON! They do not have an illness that needs to be cured.
]]> 2021-04-16 22:59:35 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1427397739 TEACCH Tips quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1427416223 The TEACCH autism program is a university-based research and training pub for those who wish to learn more about autism. TEACCH.com provides a plethora of "TEACCH tips" which include strategies to use in a classroom or with a child with autism at home. For example, tip #4 is "visual countdowns and time limits". In this tip, I see a specific strategy that I could use in my classroom: placing an amount of sticky notes on the board, then taking the sticky notes away in time increments to show time passing and to prepare the student for the end of a certain activity. There are a total of 20 well-developed tips!]]> 2021-04-16 23:15:14 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1427416223 Back to School: COVID-19 Resources quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1428845421 This brief, yet helpful, resource gives tips to caregivers of those with autism, as well as educators. Because of COVID-19, lately school has not had a solid routine which may cause anxiety for students with autism. This resources targets how to approach comforting and support a student with autism when their school allows them to come back to school in person. The resource touches on preparing the student for differences, such as wearing masks and social distancing, as well as the things that will stay the same, like being with friends. The resources shows how educators and caregivers can use social stories and visual supports to support students with autism. ]]> 2021-04-17 22:12:58 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1428845421 Matrix of Evidence-Based Practices by Outcome and Age quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1453730475 This chart maps out 27 evidence-based practices and shows it effectiveness in the context of the area of learning, and also the age range. This resource can be useful by informing educators of which EBP might be beneficial for which age groups and learning area. To learn more about the EBPs listed, check out the "AFRIM Module" portion of this padlet!]]> 2021-04-23 21:53:10 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1453730475 Autism Adventures Blog - Visual Schedules quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1453743492 This blog is written by a special educator named Melissa and provides many resources throughout the site. The section linked focuses on visual schedules and provides different examples of visual schedules including bulletin boards and binder schedules. ]]> 2021-04-23 22:01:03 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1453743492 NAA's Be REDy Booklet for Teachers quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1453760355 The National Autism Association has curated a resource for educators called the "Be REDy Booklet for Teachers". This booklet includes resources such as a printable identification card for the student with ASD and cards referencing emotions/reactions to certain things. The booklet primarily focuses on wandering. The booklet is free, but you must click "Add to Bag" and go through with the "purchase", then you will be provided a free downloadable link to the booklet. ]]> 2021-04-23 22:11:32 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1453760355 Organization for Autism Research - 6 Steps to Success quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455161041 The Organization for Autism Research has put together a resource for educators called 6 steps to success. This would be particularly helpful to educators like myself who are just entering the field and have limited experience in what you should do in your classroom to make those with autism feel valued, included, and successful. This is a broad 6-step process that educators can use as a guideline from the beginning of the year and on.]]> 2021-04-24 20:30:07 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455161041 Earlywood - Autism Resource on Self Regulation quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455169818 This link will lead you to a series of links curated by earlywood.com that are focused on self-regulation and helping students with ASD work through their emotions. For example, there is a free "Uno" game listed last on the list that helps students name their emotions in order to be more aware of these feelings.]]> 2021-04-24 20:38:11 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455169818 WrightsLaw - Advocacy Library quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455178871 WrightsLaw.com in general is a special education law/advocacy resource for educators. This link specifically will bring you to the Advocacy Library which has links to various documents that will educate readers on laws and ways to advocate for students with ASD. This is helpful to educators because the first step is to be educated on ASD itself and also the rights that those with ASD are entitled to. ]]> 2021-04-24 20:46:56 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455178871 Assessment Design for Students with ASD quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455185932 This resource is focused on best practices when designing and administering assessments for students with ASD. This is especially helpful for educators who have limited experience in working with and assessing kids with ASD. Some main points of the article are: individualizing assessments based on the presentation of autism in the student, modifications, and the setting/type of assessments that are best for students with ASD. There are also two short case studies at the beginning of the chapter that provide insight into struggles/solutions regarding assessments!]]> 2021-04-24 20:54:08 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455185932 Autism Spectrum Disorders: From Theory to Practice quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455192444 This textbook resource provides many details on many different topics on education for those with ASD. Some topics that are covered in the book are: assessment, evidence-based practices, applied behavior analysis, and more! There are many helpful tips for educators and other professionals throughout the book. ]]> 2021-04-24 21:00:59 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455192444 Autism Speaks - School Community Tool Kit quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455197382 Autismspeaks.org has provided this took kit as a resource for staff training, new educators, and problem solving. In the "School Community" portion of the resource, the information is broken up into sections that focus on different roles in the school community. For example, there is information for classmates, bus drivers, custodial staff, general education teachers, lunch and recess aides, and so on! This resource would be a great one to pass on to the administration of the school in order to advocate for students with ASD! Who knows, you could even offer to conduct a training using this resource!]]> 2021-04-24 21:06:39 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455197382 IRIS Module: Autism Spectrum Disorder Overview for Educators quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455216472 This resource is in the form of a module and can be helpful to educators who don't know much about students with autism and wish to know more. This module is set up to include characteristics of autism, working with parents, working with an IEP team, instructional strategies, and more!]]> 2021-04-24 21:23:50 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455216472 Task Analysis: Steps for Implementation quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455219915 This resource provides examples and steps when implementing task analysis. This is an evidence-based practice that educators can utilize in their classroom when working with students with ASD.]]> 2021-04-24 21:27:46 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455219915 Remote Learning for Students with ASD quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455230402 This resource gives educators tips on how to engage and support students with ASD during remote learning. There are tips and resources provided throughout the resource. For example, on page 6 there is a link that brings you to a folder with chat boards, choice boards, and some visual supports for the student. ]]> 2021-04-24 21:39:06 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455230402 Comprehension Strategies for Students with Autism quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455235890 This resource is a great read for educators wishing to improve reading comprehension in their students with ASD. The resource touches on building background knowledge that may be the source of struggling to comprehend stories in many students with disabilities. ]]> 2021-04-24 21:44:49 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455235890 FREE AAC Apps quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455242249 This link will bring you to a list of free augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) apps that can be used with students with ASD. There are 13 options that are listed and a brief paragraph listing the features of the app. This can be helpful for educators to review if the IEP team for a student is looking for AAC options. This list gives pros and cons that can be considered when finding a good fit for the student with autism.]]> 2021-04-24 21:51:28 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455242249 Autism Society's Position on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) quicka4 https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455249903 This resource provides information on applied behavior analysis (ABA) for educators and caregivers. This information is helpful in aiding educators in explaining what ABA involves, and in explaining methods or practices to parents that align with ABA. ]]> 2021-04-24 22:00:13 UTC https://padlet.com/quicka4/cpgelnhx1dqr8c40/wish/1455249903