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There are so many working parts in a self contained or Autism Unit. See what you can do to survive and thrive in a self contained classroom!

Survive and Thrive in a Self Contained Classroom

    Survive and Thrive in a Self Contained Classroom

    When I walked into my first LIFE Skills classroom I was teaching so many different leveled students so many subjects (seemingly at the same time) I really didn’t know where to start. Like a lot of new teachers, I thought I could teach in self contained like I taught before- whole groups where I “performed” and called students to perform back on cue. Problem is self contained does NOT work that way. When you ask for a performance, you’ll likely get something you did not anticipate. I was in the classroom with non-responsive students, high functioning Autistic students, emotionally disabled students with a bevy of behavior problems, and students with Down Syndrome and varying levels of functioning depending on the task. I had a hard time planning lessons. After much trial and error, I found that the following things were absolutely necessary to survive and thrive in a self contained classroom.

    [dt_gap height=”10″ /]There are so many working parts in a self contained or Autism Unit. See what you can do to survive and thrive in a self contained classroom![dt_gap height=”10″ /]Read More »Survive and Thrive in a Self Contained Classroom

    Adapted Books in Autism Units

      Wanting to add more and meaningful activities to your classroom?

      Have you tried adapted books?

      Learn more about using adapted books in Autism Units!

      Using Adapted Books in Autism Units

      I love adapted books. LOVE! They are one of my favorite tools in Autism classrooms. When it comes to working on basic skills, advanced concepts, content area ideas, or even personal information, adapted books are a great way to effectively target specific skills in a way that is engaging for students.

      Using adapted books in Autism Units. How and Why PLUS get some FREE!

      Read More »Adapted Books in Autism Units

      Laminating Hacks for Teachers - How to Make Hands on Manipulatives

      Laminating Hacks for Teachers

        Are you looking for a cheap and easy alternative to laminating pouches? We’ve got 5 laminating hacks for teachers plus a bonus you can find in your kitchen!

        6 Mistakes Teacher in Autism Units Make from Noodle Nook

        6 Mistakes Autism Unit Teachers and Paras Make

          Working with students in self-contained settings or those with severe or multiple disabilities is hard. I see the same teacher mistakes in special education classrooms over and over. Teachers and paraeducators don’t realize the consequences. I would actually argue that these 6 teacher mistakes are signs of poor classroom management and ineffective teaching of special education students.

          Do you do any of these? STOP!

          If you stop these 6 mistakes in the classroom, your special education students will be the better for it- I promise!

          6 Mistakes Teacher in Autism Units Make from NoodleNook1

          6 Mistakes Autism Unit Teachers and Paras Make…

          Fix #1: Stop Talking So Much!

          Read More »6 Mistakes Autism Unit Teachers and Paras Make

          Autism Classroom Setup

            Autism Classroom Setup: 10 Things Every Autism Classroom Teacher Needs from Amazon

            The other day I was walking in Wal-Mart and I was so sad to see back to school stuff! Fourth of July picnic and party supplies are not even on final clearance yet… why are they reminding me that school will be back in session before I can even toast my buns on the grill and down my summer adult beverage.

            The one thing that does satisfy my summer relaxation and obsession with school perfection is shopping for school supplies. I have even taken to letting my kids order their school stuff on Amazon as opposed to schlep the whole crew to the store and fight the impulse buys and the marker boxes that are not exactly what was on the back to school list. They like it and with my Amazon Prime subscription, it comes to my house shipping-free and hassle-free.

            This year is the first time I will order my back to school essentials from Amazon as well. With all the browsing and price comparison, I thought I’d share my order top 10 so you can see what I think are essentials for every teacher in Autism Units or Self-Contained settings.

            Autism Classroom Setup: These are the 10 things every Autism Classroom Teacher Needs from Amazon. Yeah, you’ll love number 11!Read More »Autism Classroom Setup

            The Supreme Court found that we need to do more than de minimis… but what does that even mean? 5 Ways to Guarantee you’re more than minimus!

            IEP De Minimis

              The Supreme Court found that we need to do more than de minimis… but what does that even mean?

              5 Ways to Guarantee you’re more than minimus to keep your IEPs out of court!

              iep de minimis

              The Supreme Court found that we need to do more than de minimis… but what does that even mean? 5 Ways to Guarantee you’re more than minimus!

              Supreme Court Ruling in a Nutshell

              Several federal laws established how we educate students with significant disabilities. That includes IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education). The United States Supreme Court heard the Endrew F. vs. Douglas County School District case and ruled providing FAPE requires we “enable the child to make progress appropriate in light of his circumstance”.

              That, my friend, is as clear as mud. I have heard campus administrators, classroom teachers, and parents of students with disabilities all talking about how this ruling will revolutionize how we educate students with significant disabilities. I, however, am not sure there will be much of a change.

              In order to shed some light on the subject, let’s break this down.

              Read More »IEP De Minimis

              IEP Goal Bank

                IEP Goal Bank for Autism Units, LID, or PMLD

                I have been there. I really have. You are sitting in front of a computer screen tasked with writing IEP goals for a student. You sit there, glazed over, wondering what to write. And it’s not that you don’t know your students. It’s not that you’re unable to write good IEP goals. The thing is you’re just not sure where they should go next. Once they master a goal, what is the logical next step? You need an IEP goal bank!

                Read More »IEP Goal Bank