Autism Academy 360

In this episode of Autism Academy 360, Abby discusses the essential topic of teaching self-regulation and coping skills to autistic students. We begin by defining self-regulation and discussing its significance in daily life. We delve into the common challenges autistic students face with self-regulation and examine how these difficulties can impact their learning and social interactions. Next, we...

In this episode of Autism Academy 360, Lisa discusses how to prepare for the Extended School Year (ESY) services for students on the autism spectrum. This episode provides strategies for special education teachers to help their students maintain and progress their skills during the summer. Lisa shares her personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of communication with current teachers, orga...

In this episode we are talking all about the concept of core vocabulary and its profound impact on communication in special education settings. This may be something new to you, or something you think is just for SLPs. We will talk about why core vocabulary is important in the classroom, not just the speech room. We will talk about how you can teach students these skills, materials you can use to...

In this episode of Autism Academy 360, Lisa tackles the challenge of managing reinforcers for students with unique interests by introducing the concept of reinforcement bins. She explains how organizing preferred reinforcers in labeled bins can save time and improve classroom efficiency. By storing these bins in a central location, educators can easily access the items when needed. Lisa also recom...

In this podcast episode, we are talking about 4 things you can do this summer to change behaviors in the fall. First and foremost, establishing clear routines and expectations is essential. Abby will give you some exact steps to take other than just having clear rules so you can have a plan from day one. She’ll also talk about visuals and which ones you need ready for day one of school. By prepari...

Understanding Reinforcer Hierarchies: After conducting a preference assessment to identify student reinforcers, the next step is ranking these reinforcers to create a hierarchy. This hierarchy provides a quick reference to understand which reinforcers students prefer and to what extent. Importance of Reinforcer Hierarchies: Different reinforcers are suitable for various times of the day or activit...

In this episode we are going to talk about easy behavior trick that costs nothing, takes, minimal time, and anyone can do. Sound too good to be true? Promise its not. We are going to talk all about choice, why it is important and the right and wrong ways to offer choices. Episode Highlights: Kids want control- so give it to them! How to offer choices & the wrong way to offer choices Benefits o...

In this episode, we are talking about the concept of errorless learning. Errorless learning is a teaching method used in special education to ensure students always choose the correct response without experiencing errors. The episode delves into why this method is beneficial for certain learners. Lisa discusses the advantages, how to fade this technique gradually, and suitable activities and setti...

In today's episode, we explore effective strategies for managing behaviors when prevention efforts fall short. We discuss five different strategies that you can use when behaviors happen, because we all know they will, These strategies will help you get your student back to baseline and keep everyone safe. By implementing these strategies, we aim to create a supportive and nurturing learning envir...

In this episode, Lisa discusses 12 tips for first-year special education teachers. Starting your first year as a special education teacher can be daunting, especially when unfamiliar with the students, staff, and school environment. Join us as we share invaluable insights gained from 16 years of experience in self-contained special education classrooms. In this episode, we unveil our top 12 tips t...

In this episode Abby explores strategies for differentiating for our Autistic learners. She discusses the importance of modification and accommodation, highlighting methods such as using task boxes for hands-on learning experiences, adapting worksheets, and using technology to meet diverse learner needs. She shares implementation tips and emphasizes the positive impact of these strategies on both...

In this episode, Lisa discusses common mistakes educators make when using visual schedules in autism classrooms. Visual schedules are essential tools for supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by providing structure, promoting independence, and enhancing predictability. However, several mistakes can diminish their effectiveness. Lisa explores these mistakes and offers practical...

In this episode Abby talks about how to collect behavioral data- which isn’t always easy to do! We will talk about how data collection provides objective insights into behavior and supports the individualization of interventions. We discuss the types of data to collect and why the need for consistency is so important across the entire team. Additionally, we chat about how  data collection can...

In this episode, Lisa goes in-depth about her favorite sensory tools to use for students on the Autism spectrum.  She talks about the importance of ensuring that you are hitting all of the sensory needs of your students, including vestibular input, proprioceptive input, and oral seeking input.  Take a listen to hear about all the different tools that she uses in her classroom. Episode 12...

In this episode, Abby dives into the reasons why behavior happens. Behavior never happens out of the blue or in isolation, but for one of four reasons: attention, escape, sensory, or gaining access. In addition to talking about these she also provides some interventions you can do. Episode Highlights: Why figuring out the function is essential to stopping behaviors The two most prevalent functions...

In this episode of Autism Academy 360, Lisa explores ten effective transition supports tailored for students with Autism, acknowledging the challenges transitions pose for individuals who thrive on consistency and routine. From visual schedules and audio cues to transition objects and "check schedule" cards, Lisa discusses a toolkit for easing transitions in various settings. Lisa talks about the...

In this episode, Abby dives into the crucial concept of pairing yourself with reinforcement for all students, but particularly Autistic students. She defines what pairing is and why it is the foundation of everything you do.  She discusses some practical strategies for pairing that you can do in your classroom. She also gives some tips on ways to make pairing successful with even your toughes...

In this episode, Lisa delves into the concept of social narratives, also known as Social Stories, originally coined by Carol Gray. Social narratives serve to help children with disabilities comprehend past or future events, aiding in scenarios ranging from daily routines to significant life changes. Lisa emphasizes the importance of tailoring narratives to individual students, using specific langu...

Episode summary: Dive into the latest episode where we explore the power of 'First-Then' boards for students with Autism. Discover how these visual supports, assist in navigating sequences of events and help with problem behavior. Learn effective strategies for pairing undesirable tasks with motivating reinforcers. The episode emphasizes how to implement these tools with efficiency and to be sure...

In this insightful episode, Lisa chats all about how to start using Token boards in your special education classroom. Lisa goes over helpful tips and tricks and some do's and dont's once you get started. This podcast episode is a compelling call to special education teachers to understand the value of token boards as a powerful tool in creating a supportive and hands-on learning environm...

In this episode, we are focusing on a transformative tool for special educators – contingency maps. Abby will guide you from the basics, exploring the ABCs of behavior (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence), to unraveling the purpose and benefits of contingency maps in special education settings. Discover the power of these visual aids in analyzing and addressing behavior patterns, making them a game...

In this podcast episode, Lisa chats about ten different types of visual schedules that special education teachers can use.  In this episode, Lisa goes over, object schedules, mini-schedules, picture schedules, written schedules, traveling schedules and MORE!  Lisa talks about what they look like and how to set them up.  She even talks about different examples on how you can implemen...

In this podcast episode, we delve into the fundamentals of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), emphasizing its diverse nature. We discuss common characteristics like challenges in social communication, dispel myths, and discuss advocating for the acceptance of neurodiverse individuals. The episode also explores the impact of ASD on learning and offers effective teaching strategies. To celebrate the la...

In this insightful episode, Lisa talks about the crucial role of visual schedules in supporting students with special needs, especially those on the Autism Spectrum, to understand and navigate their daily routines. She talks about the challenges of the misconception that visual schedules are unnecessary or time-consuming, highlighting their evidence-based effectiveness. Lisa also outlines various...

In the latest podcast episode for special educators, we delved into the world of visual supports with a focus on mini schedules. We define what mini schedules are, highlighting their role in providing step-by-step guidance for specific tasks. We dive into the use of mini schedules in various educational settings, emphasizing their versatility across subjects and activities. Additionally, we discus...