With Social Skills and Inclusion at the forefront of my teaching practice, I am always looking for new ways to introduce ASD concepts to the neurotypical peers of my students. In my experience, young children are the best receivers of this sensitive information, and I usually begin sharing knowledge with students in Kindergarten. These learners typically take... Continue Reading →
The #makeschooldifferent challenge calls upon educators to look critically at our current education system and how it affects our students. As I read some great posts by other educators, I find that some of the issues that arise around public education and 'mainstream' teaching produce commonalities that are also found in Special Education. I hope... Continue Reading →
"It was through the world of sports and legendary Lakers announcer Chick Hearn that I was able to find my voice and thus communicate with the world." Ethan Hanson was diagnosed with high functioning Asperger's syndrome when he was 4 years old. Asperger's is an Autism Spectrum Disorder which is characterized through difficulties with social interactions, restricted... Continue Reading →
In honour of Mother's Day, I am happy to share a post written by my good friend and co-worker Andrea Haefele. Andrea's daughter Bella is a student of mine and from the outside presents as a non-verbal learner with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome. Andrea's advocacy for her daughter's exceptional needs knows no bounds, and... Continue Reading →
Ontario's new Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum has had it's share of controversy since it's release in February. The pushback from parents and educators is mainly due to the fact that the new curriculum is "keeping up with the ages", and is teaching students more explicit lessons at younger ages in an effort to keep up... Continue Reading →
When choosing Mathematics goals for my students, I try to envision where I see them twenty years from now. Will they be able to use money to do their own shopping? Will they need to tell time to self-regulate their own schedule to avoid anxiety? Will they be able to hold a job where they... Continue Reading →
Students with ASD benefit from exposure to activities that support the development of fine motor skills in the hands and fingers. Developing motor strength and dexterity can lead to the improvement of other cognitive, communication and life skills necessary to achieve independence in their daily lives. I incorporate Fine Motor skills into my TEACCH Independent Activity Schedules on... Continue Reading →
Developing independence in basic routines and life skills is important for any student in order to decrease the need for adult prompting and increase dignity and self-sufficiency. When planning life skills tasks, I look YEARS into my students' futures to envision where they may be as adults. From there, I decide on tasks they can... Continue Reading →
This year for the first time, I am responsible for teaching Physical Education to my ASD class and it has quickly become a meaningful integration/inclusion opportunity for my students. My colleague ad P.E. guru @andreahaefele and I observed a gap in the knowledge and education of Phys.Ed teachers required to properly teach special needs students. To... Continue Reading →
Students with Autism can lack the Social Skills necessary to function successfully in environments with their peers, often resulting in exclusion from groups. Social and play skills must be directly taught, meaning, most students will not simply pick up these skills on the playground like their peers. They need to be taught like any other skill... Continue Reading →
ASD Teach 