Stages Connect
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Autism And Physical Spaces
47 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 Optimizing K-12 Classrooms for Autistic Learners: 6 Design Strategies that Benefit All Students
The link between classroom design and learning outcomes is clear. In the past two decades much has been learned about ways to structure classrooms to reduce behavioral challenges and improve learning outcomes for students with autism. We now know that designing classrooms for au
L.F. Stebbins
Aug 20, 2025 · 5 min read
Classroom Strategies Sensory Processing Issues: Navigating Overwhelming Environments
This article is the second in our series on Key Root Causes of Disruptive Classroom Behaviors and How to Help
Stages Learning
Sep 25, 2024 · 4 min read
Environmental Factors: Crafting Supportive Learning Spaces
This article is the fourth in our series on Key Root Causes of Disruptive Classroom Behaviors and How to Help
Stages Learning
Sep 25, 2024 · 4 min read
Physical Development in 4-Year-Olds
Watching early childhood development unfold is nothing short of miraculous, with each year bringing new surprises and achievements. Among these, the developmental strides made at the age of four are particularly fascinating. This period is a pivotal chapter in a child's physical
Angela Nelson, J.D., Ed.M.
Mar 31, 2024 · 5 min read
Classroom Strategies 5 Strategies for Employers to Help Autistic Employees Thrive in the Workplace
A neurodiverse friend of mine who works at Trader Joe's has found that the support of her co-workers and managers has allowed her to truly thrive in her job as a cashier.
Leslie Stebbins, M.Ed. M.L.I.S.
Nov 24, 2023 · 4 min read
Behavior & Sensory Sensory Breaks for Your Autistic Child
Strategies for Homeschooling Are there moments during your homeschooling day when you find your autistic child is seeking a sensory break to organize their body and mind? You’re not alone. According to the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, up to 95% of autistic children
Samantha Russell
Oct 21, 2023 · 6 min read
Classroom Strategies How to Set Up a Homeschool Classroom for Your Autistic Child: 10 Key Strategies
Setting up space in your home to homeschool your autistic child is where your own creativity can come into play. Even in a small home and on a tight budget there are ways to design your space that can have an enormous impact on how well your autistic child can focus and learn. T
Leslie Stebbins, M.Ed. M.L.I.S.
Oct 5, 2023 · 8 min read
Classroom Strategies Homeschool Co-ops for Autistic Children: Creating Connection
Homeschool co-ops are regularly scheduled structured gatherings of families educating their children together in a group setting. The purpose of co-ops is to share the load of teaching, combine resources, and collaborate with individuals who are working towards the same goal.
Samantha Russell
Oct 1, 2023 · 7 min read
Behavior & Sensory Unified Sports: Getting Autistic Children Back in the Game
How can unified sports help autistic children, parents, and communities, given the lingering developmental effects of the pandemic?
Amairani Asmad
Mar 10, 2023 · 6 min read
About Autism Autism and Dance Therapy
Dancing is a universal language, and many on the autism spectrum can easily learn it.
Grady Bolding
Oct 1, 2022 · 6 min read
Classroom Strategies Creating a Positive Online Experience for Your Student With Autism
Online learning is an exciting and innovative way for children to access their education. Even though it has been around for quite some time, COVID-19 has brought it to the forefront of many teachers’ minds. No matter the setting, educating students requires thought and planning
Kaitlyn Osborne
Sep 11, 2022 · 6 min read
Language & Communication The Five Best Ice Breakers to Use for Autistic Students
Helping Autistic Students Connect with Other Students Autistic students can sometimes have challenges related to social interactions, communication, and lack of social reciprocity. Due to these challenges, it is sometimes difficult for children with autism to easily meet and con
Katie Vena
Sep 10, 2022 · 5 min read
Autism in the Workplace: Advice From the Trenches
Autism in the workplace can have its share of rewards and pitfalls. As with anyone else, one on the spectrum has a lot to navigate when trying to find the right job fit. For some, the learning process may be pretty daunting.
Grady Bolding
Aug 20, 2022 · 6 min read
Life Skills & Transitions Moving to a New House With an Autistic Child
12 Tips for Supporting Autistic Children During a Move
Kenna McEvoy
Jul 17, 2022 · 7 min read
ABA & Therapy Air Travel with Autistic Children: 8 Ways to Prepare
Taking a plane trip can be taxing for anyone, especially when traveling with children. Adding an autistic child with unique sensory challenges into the mix can make air travel even more difficult.
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Jul 2, 2022 · 6 min read
Autism Resources Safety First! 8 Ways to Keep Autistic Children Safe
Autism can impact the safety of both autistic children and the adults caring for them. Learning to be proactive in keeping autistic children safe is no small feat. Here’s how I know…
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Jun 11, 2022 · 7 min read
May Is Physical Fitness Month!
Adapting Activities for Your Autistic Child: Silent Disco Anyone?
Kenna McEvoy
May 8, 2022 · 7 min read
Top Ten Outdoor Learning Strategies for Students With Autism
Outdoor learning can be a powerful and valuable aspect of the educational experience for all children–especially those with autism. Given adequate opportunities to explore, develop an imagination, acquire fine motor skills, and engage in sensory play, children can achieve physic
Kenna McEvoy
Apr 28, 2022 · 6 min read
Start Planning Your Summer Vacation Today!
6 Ways to Prepare Your Autistic Child for a Successful Vacation Summer can be a fun time to plan vacations, but – for many on the autism spectrum – new environments, different locations, and sensory sensitivities can present a challenge when making travel plans.
Kenna McEvoy
Apr 17, 2022 · 6 min read
Using Task Analysis to Develop Independent Living Skills
Life is filled with routines. When you’re a student, you have years of repetition in a school setting to learn where to go when you arrive, how to get your lunch, transition in the hallways, and dress out for the gym. You’ve had the support of teachers and family to learn how to
Frankie Kietzman, Ed.S.
Dec 31, 2021 · 5 min read
Integrated Play Groups and FloorTime
The Top Two Interventions for Improving Developmentally-Beneficial Play in Autistic Children While group play is an important component of child development, autistic children may not develop social interaction and play skills in the same way that their peers do. As a result, it
Kenna McEvoy
Dec 4, 2021 · 8 min read
Family & Home Life 11 Ways to Prepare for Happy Holidays With an Autistic Child
The end-of-the-year holidays are supposed to be happy occasions, filled with joyful traditions such as family gatherings, elaborately home-cooked meals, the exchanging of gifts, parties, fireworks, and other festive activities. They’re supposed to be a time to look forward to an
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Nov 14, 2021 · 6 min read
Family & Home Life Tricks for Making Halloween Enjoyable for Your Autistic Child
Many children love Halloween, but some autistic children find Halloween to be stressful and unenjoyable. The holiday boosts traditions that may be worry-invoking for some neurodivergent children. On Halloween, children often dress up in costumes. For autistic individuals, dressi
Tatiana Tortora
Oct 20, 2021 · 5 min read
4 Key Tips for Preparing your Special Education Classroom for the New School Year
The new school year is quickly approaching. Setting up a new classroom takes time and a lot of planning, especially when taking into consideration the needs of our unique students. Autistic children notably require structure and organization. Students spend a lot of time in thei
Tatiana Tortora
Aug 28, 2021 · 6 min read
How to Strengthen Executive Functioning Skills for Autistic Children
Executive functioning is a fundamental process that each person needs to achieve goals, filter distractions, prioritize tasks, and control impulses. Deficits in executive functioning will impact a person’s ability to get through the daily tasks of the day effectively. Nearly eve
Tatiana Tortora
Aug 14, 2021 · 5 min read
Autism-Friendly Vacation Destinations: A Guide for Families
A list of best resorts and theme parks serving families with autistic children: from customized services and specialized camps for autistic children to front-of-the-line passes, vacations can be autism-friendly!
Erin Beach
Jul 11, 2021 · 5 min read
How to Build an Autism Kit for On-the-Go
An Autism Kit, also known as a “Calm Down Kit,” “Sensory Kit” or “Autism Survival Kit” is an invaluable tool for any parent of an autistic child. If you’ve ever been away from home with your autistic child and found yourself wishing you had a magic bag of items to pull from to h
Christa Mullis
Jun 10, 2021 · 8 min read
Using Sensory Solutions to Encourage Motor Skills in Autistic Children
Six sensory tools to use from an Occupational Therapist’s toolbox Autistic children often have over or under-responsive sensory systems that can impact the development of motor skills. The good news is we can use these deficits in sensory systems to help motivate autistic childr
Ilana Danneman, PT
May 30, 2021 · 6 min read
8 Tips for Tackling the Grocery Store With Your Autistic Child
Working in early intervention, I am always checking in with parents regarding their triumphs and their struggles, and one struggle that comes up frequently is that intimidating trip to the grocery store. In general, any parent worries about being looked upon with judgment when a
Marianne Coppola
May 9, 2021 · 5 min read
Our Top Picks for Encouraging Gross Motor Skills for Autistic Children: Let the Great Outdoors Be Your Natural Playground!
Use these therapist-selected, parent and teacher-approved, and kid-tested ideas to help your autistic child continue to develop gross motor skills! Spring has sprung! Tired of being inside? Spring is a great season to step outside with your autistic children and reap all the ben
Ilana Danneman, PT
Mar 28, 2021 · 7 min read
Physical Therapy and Autism: Questions and Answers
Autistic children can often benefit from physical therapy. What does working with a physical therapist entail? And how can I work collaboratively with a physical therapist to best help my child?
Ilana Danneman, PT
Feb 7, 2021 · 5 min read
Autism Resources 10 Gross Motor Skills for Your Autistic Child
Gross Motor Skills 101 Ready, set, let’s go! Walk, run, jump, swim, climb. There are so many ways we can move our bodies. Gross motor skills are those skills that we need to move, skills that are designed to help us survive, but also to thrive. As a baby develops they learn to r
Ilana Danneman, PT
Jan 23, 2021 · 7 min read
Keeping Fit at Home: Exercise and Autistic Children
Benefits, Best Practices, Home Equipment Choices, and the Top Online Exercise Videos and Gaming Resources for Your Autistic Child Exercise for autistic children can have both physical and psychological benefits. For many autistic children who have sensory integration issues, gym
Chloe Fay
Dec 29, 2020 · 7 min read
Classroom Strategies 10 Best Practices for Providing Teletherapy for Autistic Children
How to Provide the Most Effective Teletherapy Possible for Autistic Children For special education teachers and therapists of autistic students, teletherapy, also called E-therapy or remote learning for autism, provides a great alternative to in-person sessions, but also present
Madeline Burroughs
Jul 26, 2020 · 5 min read
Life Skills & Transitions Benefits and Strategies for Teaching Art to Children with Autism: Help for Art Challenged Adults Why Art?
Art therapy provides many benefits for children with autism because it promotes emotional and mental growth as well as independence and collaboration skills. As an outlet for self-expression, imagination, and creativity, art can contribute deeply to improving a child’s fine moto
Madeline Burroughs
Mar 25, 2020 · 4 min read
Emotions & Social Skills Four Ways to Make Your Backyard More Autism Friendly
Playing outdoors has huge implications for all children. Many researchers cite outdoor play as being a conduit for decreased stress levels, emotional resilience, increased cognitive functioning, increased attention, as well as a host of other sensory-motor, emotional, and social
Madeline Burroughs
Nov 16, 2019 · 5 min read
11 Strategies to Help Your Child with Autism Develop Fine Motor Skills
Fine Motor Skill Milestones Fine motor skills are the coordination of small muscle movements. Fine motor skills are the ability to make movements in our eyes, wrists, hands, and fingers. Many everyday tasks require strength, dexterity, and fine motor skills. Fine motor skills ne
Chloe Fay
Nov 16, 2019 · 8 min read
ARIS & Curriculum 12 Popular Games Adapted for Children with Autism
This resource was created as a supplement for the Language Builder: Academic Readiness Intervention System (ARIS) complete early autism curriculum, Lesson #73, Playing Games with an Adult. Download a free copy of lesson 73 and learn more about the ARIS curriculum . Play is often
Jenna Wharff, Ed.M.
Jun 26, 2019 · 14 min read
Autism Resources Top Safety Risks for Children with Autism and How to Communicate with First Responders
Safety and preparation for emergency situations is a concern for any child, but especially for children with autism, who may be unable to communicate or respond correctly in emergency situations.
Chloe Fay
Apr 28, 2019 · 4 min read
ARIS & Curriculum The Most Popular Action and Movement Songs for Children with Autism
FREE ARIS Lesson Plan Download: Participation in Group Songs with Action {{cta('dd592bfe-679e-4e5a-9f99-6923f3082c63')}}
Leslie Stebbins, M.Ed. M.L.I.S.
Apr 13, 2019 · 6 min read
Classroom Strategies Inclusion Toolkit: Top Ten Products to Accommodate Students with Autism in the Classroom
The beginning of a new school year can be a difficult time for some children with autism. Shifting from the comfort of home to an environment packed with loud voices, stiff chairs, slamming doors, and a new structure can trigger anything from distraction and discomfort to full m
Emma Shanahan
Aug 19, 2018 · 4 min read
Classroom Strategies Positive Pedagogy: How to Bring Positive Psychology into Special Education and Inclusive Classrooms for Students with Autism
How can you help your students discover stillness? joy? authenticity? Positive psychology is the science of well-being, which applied, can bring more positivity and happiness into your classroom. Try investing in these easy “rituals,” or habits, to transform your classroom into
Arianna Riccio
May 10, 2018 · 5 min read
About Autism How to Choose a Summer Camp for Your Child with Autism
Summer camp can be a positive and enriching experience for children on the autism spectrum, providing an alternative to the rigorous school year routine and opportunities for peer interactions. However, finding the right fit for your child can be intimidating and does require re
Lauren Panzano
Jan 15, 2018 · 5 min read
Best Sports for Autistic Children
5 Tips for Helping Your Child Succeed in Sports It is no secret that sports are a big part of most people’s lives. More than 100 million people in the United States alone tune in to watch the Super Bowl every year. However, being a sports fan and playing a sport are two complete
Stages Learning
Feb 8, 2017 · 5 min read
Classroom Strategies Cool Down Spaces: Best Practices for Managing Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom or the Home
Parents and teachers can feel confused and uncomfortable when students shout, cry, or act in ways that appear developmentally or culturally inappropriate. It’s helpful to learn who you can turn to for training or advice on behavior management and it’s equally useful to learn a f
Briana Brukilacchio
Sep 19, 2016 · 6 min read
Classroom Strategies Creating Spaces that Work for Children with Autism
If you’re like me, there’s nothing more appealing than a home renovation show where a grand reveal shows furniture that is perfectly staged and pristine. As a teacher, this enthusiasm for design and decoration carried over to my classroom even though I was often tasked with maki
Rebecca Pagitt-Mungai
Sep 15, 2016 · 6 min read
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