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Aba Therapists Special Education Professionals
30 articles
Classroom Strategies Flexible Furniture in K-12 Schools: Recommendations for Supporting Neurodiverse and Autistic Students
Flexible furniture is increasingly seen as a critical tool in supporting the diverse needs of all students—including those who are autistic or neurodiverse. Research and expert advice underscore that the right classroom furniture can help optimize comfort, support sensory and mo
L.F. Stebbins
Aug 20, 2025 · 5 min read
Behavior & Sensory Building Fall Transition Routines: Task Analysis Strategies for Behavior Therapists
Why Fall Transitions Matter
Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.
Jul 25, 2025 · 4 min read
Classroom Strategies 5 Differentiated End-of-Year Activities to Keep Special Education Students Engaged
Adaptable for Multiple Developmental Levels & Learning Styles As the school year comes to a close, maintaining engagement in special education classrooms requires thoughtful planning. Students may be at varying developmental stages, with different learning profiles and support n
Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.
May 16, 2025 · 6 min read
How to Prepare for a Client’s IEP Meeting - A Guide for Therapists
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document designed to outline the specific educational goals, objectives, and services a student with a disability requires to thrive within the public school system. In the United States, this process is governed by the Indivi
Cindy Bowers
Feb 12, 2025 · 3 min read
Classroom Strategies Empowering Educators: The Crucial Role of People in Enhancing Special Education Programs
The success of special education students relies heavily on the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of the professionals who support them. From teachers and paraprofessionals to therapists and administrators, the people involved in delivering special education services play
Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.
May 19, 2024 · 6 min read
Classroom Strategies Streamlining Special Education Programs: The Importance of Effective Procedures
In the intricate tapestry of special education, procedures serve as the threads that weave together the various components of a program, ensuring a seamless and effective delivery of services. These procedures, which encompass everything from IEP development and compliance to da
Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.
May 19, 2024 · 7 min read
Classroom Strategies Transforming Learning Spaces: Enhancing Special Education Environments for Student Success
The physical environment in which learning takes place can have a profound impact on the success and well-being of students with disabilities. From the layout and accessibility of classrooms to the incorporation of sensory-friendly elements and assistive technologies, the design
Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.
May 19, 2024 · 5 min read
Transforming Special Education Through Effective Practices: Insights from the 5P Framework
At the heart of every successful special education program lies a set of practices that are both effective and compassionate. These practices, which encompass everything from instructional strategies and behavioral interventions to progress monitoring and collaborative planning,
Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.
May 19, 2024 · 6 min read
Maximizing Student Success: The Critical Role of the Products & Teaching Tools Used in Special Education
When it comes to supporting students with disabilities in special education programs, the importance of using the right products and teaching tools cannot be overstated. From curriculum materials and assistive technologies to adaptive equipment and sensory aids, the resources ed
Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.
May 19, 2024 · 6 min read
Classroom Strategies How to Conduct a Comprehensive Special Education Program Evaluation: The 5P Framework
Are you a special education director or curriculum coordinator looking for a comprehensive approach to evaluate and improve your special education program? Do you want to ensure that your services are effectively meeting the diverse needs of your students with disabilities? A cl
Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.
May 19, 2024 · 7 min read
Classroom Strategies Embracing Technology for Special Education Students: What Do the New Federal Guidelines Mean for Our District?
In the realm of education, technology has emerged as a powerful tool to dismantle barriers and forge pathways of learning that were once deemed impassable. The U.S. Department of Education’s latest Federal Report , in concert with the National Education Technology Plan , has iss
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Feb 20, 2024 · 6 min read
Classroom Strategies How Can AI Best Serve Special Education Students? Let Me Count the Ways...
Jen, a neurodiverse student, struggles to communicate her needs. She wants to ask her teacher for an extension because she didn’t finish her homework. She asks an AI-powered robot in her classroom to present her with a few scenarios of how the conversation with her teacher might
Leslie Stebbins, M.Ed. M.L.I.S.
Feb 4, 2024 · 8 min read
Classroom Strategies How Can I Get Funding for Homeschooling My Autistic Child?
The financial burden of homeschooling special needs or autistic children can be a significant challenge for many families. The cost of educational materials, extracurricular activities, field trips, and membership fees can add up quickly, even more so now with the rising costs o
Samantha Russell
Dec 27, 2023 · 5 min read
How Universal Design for Learning Powers the ARIS® Autism Curriculum
A Research White Paper
Leslie Stebbins, M.Ed. M.L.I.S.
Jan 20, 2023 · 9 min read
What Is MTSS and How Does It Help Struggling Students?
MTSS stands for a multi-tiered system of supports. It is a data-driven, tiered framework, also referred to as a multi-tiered process or model of supports, that is designed to help schools identify struggling students early and intervene quickly. Besides focusing on giving studen
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Nov 5, 2022 · 6 min read
Life Skills & Transitions How to Create Effective Transition Service IEPs for Students with Autism
A Guide for Schools on the IDEA and Rehabilitation Act Requirements Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with autism spectrum disorders are eligible to receive an individualized education plan (IEP) throughout their education from 3 to 21 years
Abby Peskin
Sep 11, 2022 · 6 min read
What is Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)?
PCIT is an evidence-based treatment for young children with behavioral problems and can be an effective intervention for children with autism.
Abby Peskin
Aug 15, 2022 · 6 min read
Classroom Strategies Equity for Serving Our Rural Students
I’m from a small town in rural Kansas with no stoplights and the nearest Walmart is 30 minutes away. My father was a rancher with 200 head of cattle and my mom was a teacher at the nearby—and only—school.
Frankie Kietzman, Ed.S.
Aug 14, 2022 · 7 min read
Classroom Strategies How to Recognize, Prevent, and Stop Bullying of Autistic* Children
Bullying of kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a major problem in our schools. Recent research shows that 46% of kids with autism in middle and high school were victims of bullying, and other studies show that approximately 70% of elementary-age autistic children who we
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Aug 13, 2022 · 8 min read
ABA Is Evolving, Are You?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has gone through many innovations since it was developed for autism treatment in 1965. In particular, ABA is evolving to be more client-led, fun, socially significant, and compassionate.
Jess Baldwin
Jun 25, 2022 · 5 min read
ABA & Therapy What Is the IBCCES?
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) leads the way in professional training and continuing education for autism Continuing education and professional training are two crucial components necessary for remaining up-to-date on the bes
Kenna McEvoy
May 4, 2022 · 7 min read
ABA & Therapy What Is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and How Can It Help My Autistic Student?
Two Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) explain Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and how to determine the level of support needed to ensure success for each autistic child. ABA is a common practice used with Level 1 autistic individuals. The practice of ABA mainly focuses o
Danielle Fowler
Aug 8, 2020 · 6 min read
Family & Home Life Professional Hope: One Mother’s Story of Gratitude for the Specialists that Support Parents of Autistic Children
"I have assessed and treated a great number of families affected by ASD...What I can say is this: When parents can move through the emotion and identify...the strengths in their child and themselves, they are then able to consider the numerous options they have to support their
Heidi Ellis
Jun 7, 2020 · 6 min read
Emotions & Social Skills A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Siblings Of Children With Autism
A family's bond is one of the strongest, purest forms of love. Each component is essential - parents, siblings, and extended family. When we consider a family consisting of a child with autism, the familial ties become increasingly vital. Parents and caregivers definitely become
Danielle Fowler
Sep 30, 2017 · 5 min read
ABA & Therapy Interviews from the Field: Kristy Johnson
Kristy Johnson is a mother of a child with significant special needs, as well as a researcher in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders. While she has always been very involved in science and engineering, her son greatly influenced her decision to pursue research in this fiel
Kasey Salvatore
Jan 9, 2017 · 8 min read
Classroom Strategies Interviews from the Field: Sarah Scruton
Sarah Scruton is an English teacher at Triton Regional High School in Byfield, MA. Although Sarah is a general education teacher, she provides excellent insight into how to make accommodations for students with special needs within an inclusive classroom, the pros and cons of be
Kasey Salvatore
Nov 18, 2016 · 7 min read
Classroom Strategies Interviews from the Field: Timothy Jepson
Timothy Jepson teaches chemistry to sophomores at Triton Regional High School in Byfield, Massachusetts. Although he teaches general education, it is imperative that he make accommodations within his classroom for students who have special needs. Additionally, Timothy has a stro
Kasey Salvatore
Nov 15, 2016 · 7 min read
Classroom Strategies Interviews from the Field: Stephanie Hicks
As a behavior analyst, Stephanie Hicks experiences the field of special education through multiple lenses. Stephanie works mainly with classroom teachers, parents and a variety of therapists on how to manage and teach behaviors to children with autism. In addition to observing b
Kasey Salvatore
Nov 13, 2016 · 7 min read
Classroom Strategies Janet Sauer: Parent, Professional and Educator
Interviews from the field As a Special Education Associate Professor at Lesley University, a parent of a child with special needs, and a previous K-12 educator, Janet Sauer has many insights into the field of special education. Janet has a passion for social justice, as well as
Kasey Salvatore
Sep 19, 2016 · 6 min read
Language & Communication Interviews from the Field: Casey Bryn McCarthy
Interviews from the field As a speech-language pathologist working in Early Intervention, Casey Bryn McCarthy has a passion for communication and expression. Her passion for communication developed at an early age after working with children who have special needs. At fourteen y
Kasey Salvatore
Aug 29, 2016 · 6 min read
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