This website provides educators or administrators with the tools necessary to understand autism spectrum disorder and ways to respond to a child on the spectrum. When educators are informed, they are more qualified to help a child maximize their growth and development in all developmental domains. In sum, this website equips educators, or administrators with a 6 steps that are useful when accommodating a child with special needs, particularly a child on the spectrum. 

 

 

This website provides an article titled “22 Tips for Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” which provides tips for educators when working with students on the spectrum. Some of them include using a task analysis approach, which is a very specific, or sequential order in delivering the tasks at hand, always keeping language simple and concrete-clear and concise, model the expected behavior, give fewer choices, or to avoid using sarcasm. While these are only a few of the 22 tips provided, they article elaborates on all 22 tips that can be useful in helping a child with autism succeed in the classroom. 

 

This website is another resource that offers educators a guide to teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, specifically children in Pre-K-8^th grade. Some of the recommendations include using visual supports (example, if/then cards), structure your day (keep a routine), and tell a social story (create a story targeting a particular situation to teach a child how to deal with it when faced with that particular situation; example could be, “You know last week Jesse asked to use a computer that someone else was using by saying, “May I please use computer when you are done?” This teaches the child how to engage in appropriate social interactions and decrease a negative behavior like physically moving another child out of the way without asking to use the computer). These are just some of the 10 strategies offered on the website. The website is a great resource for educators because it offers strategies on how to teach students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

1.     Educate yourself, first. (Immerse yourself in Autism Spectrum Disorder literature)

2.     Reach out to the parents (communication is crucial to the growth and development of child)

3.     Prepare classroom (make modifications, or arrangements in the classroom-maybe have child sit in the front next to teacher, or provide child their own workspace with little to no distractions)

4.     Educate peers and promote social goals (This is important, because we want all children to feel a sense of belonging. We want to create an environment that promotes multiculturalism, or diversity, a space were diverse learners is celebrated.) 

5.     Collaborate on the implementation of an Education plan (Be sure to study the child’s IEP, as it gives details about the child’s goals, and/or behaviors- the IEP is the blueprint that lays out the child’s “Individual Educational Plan,” so the educator knows how to differentiate instruction, make accommodations, or modifications, and apply behavioral interventions to maximize the child’s outcomes. 

6.     Manage behavioral challenges (Educators can turn to the Behavioral Interventional Plan where many strategies are included: Use first/then language, Priming, Visual supports, behavior chart, give clear concise instructions, or directions, or use a timer)

Developmental: learning disability or speech delay in a child

Cognitive: intense interest in a limited number of things or problem paying attention

Psychological: unaware of others' emotions or depression

Also common: anxiety, change in voice, sensitivity to sound, or tic

 

This would be a great resource for families because the organization offers advocates to support families who have children in special education. They help parents navigate the world of Special Education to obtain an appropriate program and services for the child. Some of the services include helping families pursue services (In-home ABA, One-on-One, Intensive academic support, Physical therapy, Speech and Language, among other important services. They also attend the IEP or IFSP meetings and educate parents about the special education process. This is a great resource.

 

 

This is a book I read, and it  is appropriate for families as it discusses the reality of what families go through when they have a child with special needs. It provides information that guides and supports the family on their journey. Most of all, used as a source of hope that families can draw on when they feel like they are all alone. I loved this book. It really helped my husband and I on our journey of parenting a child with special needs.

 

 

This website is a great resource because it provides different support groups for families caring for a child with special needs. My husband and I believe strongly in support groups. They have been crucial to our family's strength, hope, and faith. 

 

 

This resource allows families of people/children with disabilities to be compensated for providing care. Typically a family member, whomever is providing the care, will get a certain amount of hours based on the child/persons disability. As per website “The types of services which can be authorized through IHSS are housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care services (such as bowel and bladder care, bathing, grooming and paramedical services), accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for the mentally impaired.” 

 

 

211la.org provides a whole bunch of different resources for families caring for a child with developmental delays. They have an events calendar posted with different events going on in different areas- really supplies family with resources in the community usually free events. My husband and I have gone to many events, really fun.