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When Love Is Tested: Embracing the Challenges and Triumphs of Autism

I lost it today! Really lost it! My usually happy, kind, and amazing autistic teenage grandson, whom I raised most of his life, talked rudely and loudly to me over breakfast. As I reminded him to watch his tone, he laid into me even more.

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

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

Leveling Up the Power of Paraprofessionals

Just as a gymnast relies on a spotter, a tree draws strength from its roots, and a musical relies on its stage crew:

Pre-Employment Transition Services for Autistic Youth: What Works?

Once an individual on the spectrum finds just the right crew, they may very well wind up being the glue that holds it together (I actually had a boss in the past year describe me as such, and that was definitely a good day on my end). –Grady Bolding

Autism and Stereotypes: A Few Tips for Survival

I used to get yelled at a lot when I was younger, especially when it came to homework.

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?

3 Ways to Teach Social Initiations to Autistic Students

You may think social interactions come naturally for all children, but for autistic children, it brings a unique world of challenges. Learning social initiation skills can make an enormous difference for autistic children in improving their relationships with peers and family me

How Autism and/or ADHD Can Destroy Motivation

Why Is Motivation Different for Autistic Individuals? Motivation is something we all struggle with, occasionally. Most people can eventually pull through and do what they need to do. For some autistic and/or ADHD kids, motivation affects them differently. At a younger age, autis

Acceptance and Commitment Training: New Tools to Help Parents Support Autism Treatment

Acceptance & Commitment Training (ACT) is an area grounded in behavior analysis that is bringing a more compassionate, values-based approach to behavioral treatment and skill development for autistic children.

How the Growth Mindset and Multiple Intelligence Theories Can Help Autistic Students Grow

People have always viewed intelligence as a fixed inherent trait. You’re born smart, or average, or you’re doomed to a failed life. Not only that but we use it as a measurable trait to be compared with others. Intelligence is often used in conjunction with academic ability. But

Hi-Lo Books: An Innovative Option for Struggling Teen Readers

Can you imagine struggling to read in middle school? What would it feel like to find books at your reading level geared towards young children? Perhaps starting out with a basic, entry-level picture book is a good first step to begin learning how to read, but what would you do i

Hygiene vs. Autism: Common Challenges and Possible Adaptations

How can caregivers identify and mitigate autism-related challenges to promote hygiene adherence in youth?

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

Celebrate Six Fall Holidays You Didn’t Know Existed!

...And learn ways to adapt any holiday to help your child with autism have fun!

ABLLS Vs. VB-MAPP Assessments: What’s the Difference?

Two of the most common assessments used to evaluate autistic children are the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) and the Verbal Behavior - Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP). These assessments are very similar, but some differences may ma

Into the Unknown: Explaining Autism Using Children’s Film and Fantasy Characters

How can parents and teachers use fiction stories to positively explain and reframe autism to neurotypical and neurodivergent youth?

Mental Health Empowerment: Providing Compassionate and Client-Centered Support for People With Autism

How can stakeholders use principles of self-determination, individuality, and compassion to support individuals with autism and their self-directed mental health care pursuits?

Autism and Dance Therapy

Dancing is a universal language, and many on the autism spectrum can easily learn it.

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

Why Autistic/ADHD People Are Drawn to Other Autistic/ADHD People

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends I was diagnosed when I was 28. Being late diagnosed, I started to read more about autism and ADHD and suddenly realized so many people I know fit these descriptions. Some old friends, coworkers, and family had these traits! My partner

Our Autism Journey From Special Education to Mainstream Classrooms

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every child with special needs has the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE) , which is the general education classroom as a first option. Working toward a more restrictive environment

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

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

A Deeper Dive: What Post-Secondary Employment and Services are Available for Students With Autism?

A growing number of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are attending college after they graduate from high school. However, unfortunately, a high number of these students also leave college without graduating, usually because they do not have the necessary support in p

9 Tips for Helping Autistic* Children Transition to a New School

Can you imagine starting at a new school in an entirely unfamiliar environment? Coping with a schedule change and new teachers, staff members, and peers is often nerve-racking for many students, but those with autism tend to have an especially hard time making changes and adapti

7 Strategies for Supporting Individuals With Autism During Times of Transition and Change

Providing the proper support and interventions to children and adults with ASD can be a game changer in helping successfully manage changes in routines.

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

Support Groups for Autistic* Children, Teens, Young Adults and Parents

Support groups and social clubs for children, teens, and young adults with autism provide a safe environment for people with shared experiences to connect and participate in a supportive, understanding community. No matter what your child's or student’s needs are, there are simi

Autism, COVID-19, and Mental Health: Ways to Cope with Trauma and Change

The COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly hard on everyone, but a recent study indicates that it may disproportionately affect autistic individuals. Considering this, it is important to recognize that those with autism often face significant challenges when:

Moving to a New House With an Autistic Child

12 Tips for Supporting Autistic Children During a Move

Making Friends: The Ups and Downs of Friendship on the Spectrum

As someone who grew up on the autistic spectrum, friends were hard to make and even harder to keep.

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.

How to Use Video Modeling and Video Self-Modeling to Help Your Autistic Child

Have you ever wondered how we learn new skills–or how most children seem to pick up on the natural progression of getting a haircut, going to the dentist, or brushing their teeth? While many children grasp the typical flow of these activities and automatically learn from watchin

Celebrating the Failures (and Successes) on the Autism Journey

Setback. Failure. Mishap .

Supporting Students in the Least Restrictive Environment

When developing a child’s IEP, the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is one of several components that must be determined regarding placement. LRE has been a part of federal special education law since 1975. It has continued to recognize the benefits for autistic children or t

Planning a Celebration for Your Child With Autism

Imagine a party with music that’s just too loud –or a concert that keeps shining the same bright spotlight directly into your eyes . What if you felt trapped inside an overcrowded venue with people you don’t know surrounding you on every side? This is how children with autism ca

Autism & Drama Therapy: A View From the Spectrum

My journey to the stage (and, lately, behind the camera) was a long one.

How to Teach Students With Autism Healthy Habits, Life Skills, and Self-Care

While establishing goals for personal hygiene, healthy habits, and effective self-care skills is important for everyone, individuals on the autism spectrum may need additional support when developing these competencies. Research suggests that teaching self-care skills can help i

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

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.

10 Easy Grants for Teachers for Their Autism Classrooms

...and a Quick Guide to Crowdfunding! Due to district funding problems, the pandemic, and rising student needs, teachers are often forced to fund their own classroom materials. According to the Education Week Research Center Survey, 95 percent of teachers report spending their o

What Autistic* Teenagers Need to Thrive

When our autistic children grow up and enter the preteen and teen years, their needs change. They will require a new approach and different interventions to help them thrive. What may have worked for them when they were younger, may suddenly not work anymore and even annoy them.

What Are the Three Levels of Autism?

We often hear people reference "high-functioning autism" and "low-functioning autism." But in fact, those who work with children with autism tend not to rely on labels such as "high functioning" and "low functioning." While it is recognized that autism occurs on a spectrum and a

How to Help a Talkative Autistic* Child to Talk Less and Listen More

Many children with autism develop special interests and become so entranced with them that they spend much of their time talking about them with great enthusiasm. Initially, it can be astounding to hear autistic individuals share their knowledge and expertise on topics such as d

Recognizing Signs of Autism in Girls

Autism in Girls Can Look Different than in Boys: Support for Girls Sometimes Needs to Look Different Too Check out our free handout on this topic, Specific Support Strategies for Girls With Autism .

Six Co-Teaching Models That Really Work in Inclusion Classrooms

A full-inclusion classroom is not just an educational model that includes all students (combining those with and without IEPs) integrated into a general education classroom. With any full-inclusion classroom comes additional educators and support as well as a variety of teaching

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) for Autism

What It Is and Why It Is Important for Students With Autism Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is really about implementing a new kind of school-wide culture. Positive behavior strategies and social-emotional learning (SEL) are becoming more common in schools

What I Wish I Knew Before Teaching in a Full-Inclusion Classroom

One teacher who works with autistic students reports on the great benefits and challenges of full-inclusion classrooms for students with autism and other different abilities.

Valentine’s Day and Autism: Six Ways to Help Your Child Prepare for and Enjoy the Holiday

Download Our Free Social Narrative: Giving and Getting Valentines

Applying Brene Brown’s Rising Strong to Autism

Building Awareness and Theory of Mind Brene Brown’s illuminating 2015 book, Rising Strong , shows how part of life is handling unexpected situations and dealing with expectations, failures, or disappointments—and finding ways to adjust and cope in spite of struggles. But the goa

Top Strategies for Supporting Time Management for Those With Autism

Time management is an important concept to consider when supporting individuals on the autism spectrum. Because time management and executive functioning skills (e.g., emotional regulation, impulse control, self-monitoring, working memory, organization, planning, initiating, and

Autism and the Transition to Adulthood (Part 2)

Building Social Skills and Maintaining Relationships (This article is part 2 of a 2-part series. Check out part 1 on helping young people with autism build a career and develop independent living skills! ) While emphasis is often placed on awareness of the signs and symptoms of

A Former Job Coach Shares Her Experience Working With Autistic Children

What Is a Job Coach? A job coach can provide guidance and initial support for a child when they begin to reach that transitional age and think about getting a job. Entering the workforce can be an intimidating yet exciting new prospect for anyone. For children with ASD, taking s

Brilliant Amazon Show "As We See It" Features Autistic Cast and Crew

Photo credit: Amazon On Friday, January 21, 2022, Amazon Prime Video premiered a new show called “As We See It” starring three autistic cast members. The show follows three roommates in their early twenties, Jack (Rick Glassman), Harrison (Albert Rutecki), and Violet (Sue Ann Pi

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

Top 3 Strategies for Improving Social Interactions for Autistic Children

Many autistic individuals struggle with developing appropriate perspective-taking, self-awareness, and self-monitoring skills. They may also have difficulty modifying false beliefs about themselves and others. As a result, interventions supporting these areas can provide meaning

The ARIS Lessons: An Insider Look

A Special Ed Teacher and New Stages Learning Staffer Takes a Peek Under the Hood of Our New ARIS Early Autism Curriculum I’m not a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), but I know “just enough to be dangerous.”

How Can I Support Autistic Students in My Classroom?

Four Key Strategies to Support Autistic Children: Introduce Imitation, Use New Technologies, Create Soothing Classroom Design, and Scaffold Learning

Teaching Tools for Making Friends and Developing Online Relationships for Autistic Individuals

Learning social media skills and dating etiquette can be especially challenging for young autistic adults. This article provides tools for helping to learn new digital social skills for autistic individuals.

Herramientas de enseñanza para hacer amigos y desarrollar amistades en línea para personas con TEA

Aprender habilidades en las redes sociales y la etiqueta de citas puede ser desafiante especialmente para los jóvenes adultos con autismo. Este artículo proporciona herramientas para ayudar a aprender nuevas habilidades sociales digitales para las personas con TEA.

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

Taking the Sting out of Discipline for Autistic Kids

The benefits of setting clear boundaries for autistic children All children need rules and boundaries to help them know how to act appropriately in different settings and situations, and autistic children are no exception. Rules and boundaries will teach them skills they will ne

What Makes a Special Education Teacher Effective?

10 Characteristics That Matter Most A special education teacher who works with autistic students needs to have an array of interpersonal skills, ranging from competency and consistency to adaptability and discernment. Throughout the school year, special educators must wear a var

10 Spectacular Virtual Field Trips for Autistic Students

Field trips create enriching experiences that support instruction. Students habitually love field trips, and they get excited about hands-on learning. Teachers love field trips because they engage students in learning, allow for real-life connections, support cultural education,

6 Ways to Set Up Inclusion Settings Successfully for Autistic Students

Defining inclusion: Inclusion is a common term used in education, meaning to bring together all students regardless of their abilities. An inclusion setting allows students with disabilities to learn and socialize alongside their non-disabled peers. Successful inclusion opportun

What Research Has Shown About School Closures Impact on Autistic Students

As schools started up again for the 2021-2022 school year, there were a lot of questions. The previous year’s fluctuations between remote, hybrid, and in-person models left everyone’s heads spinning, perhaps none more than autistic students.

How to Help Autistic People Who May Be Feeling Suicidal

Taking action when someone is suicidal is critical to saving a life. This article will identify warning signs and what you can do to help.

How to Shape Homework Behavior With Autistic Children

Let’s talk homework! If you are a parent to a school-aged autistic child, you may find it challenging to encourage your child to complete homework assignments. Autistic children will often engage in undesired behaviors, such as noncompliance, aggression, or full-blown tantrums.

Using Antecedent Strategies to Minimize Challenging Behaviors With Autistic Students

An antecedent is an event, action, or circumstance that occurs directly before a behavior. Using antecedent strategies involves modifying an environment to reduce undesirable behaviors among autistic learners before they occur.

Identity First: On Knowing Who You Are

What is the difference between “people-first” and “identity-first” language with regard to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? How do culture, identity, and statistics play a role in this question? How do you define yourself; how do you prefer to be recognized; and how do you know w

School Guide to Expanding Medicaid Reimbursements for Special Education and Other Health and Behavioral Services

NOTE: New Guide Just Released to Help Schools Give Care to Children Covered by Medicaid Is your school or district doing all it can to take advantage of these new funds? Any eligible service you are not currently billing for is money lost. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Ser

“Opportunities to Respond” in the Classroom for Autistic Students

Strategies for Active Engagement in the Classroom and on Zoom f or Autistic Children You’ve likely heard the phrase “Busy hands are happy hands,” but the same is true for our brains. One of the hardest skills for autistic students is what to do in the classroom when they’re expe

Autism Fidget Toys Are More Than Just Fun: Strong Research Supports Their Use

In recent years the toy industry has exploded with options for toys focused on the fidgeting sensory needs of autistic people and those with ADHD and other disabilities to have their fine motor needs met. Pop-fidgets, Push-pop fidgets, Infinity Cubes, Pop Tubes, Fidget Spinners,

Autism and Teletherapy: It’s Working!

Using t he ARIS® Academic Readiness Intervention System in a Virtual Setting With the STAGES® Learning Line Platform {% video_player "embed_player" overrideable=False, type='scriptV4', hide_playlist=True, viral_sharing=False, embed_button=False, autoplay=False, hidden_controls=F

Twice Exceptional: Untangling the Paradox of Giftedness and Autism

Parents and teachers may wonder if their student is autistic, or is intellectually gifted, or both. “Twice Exceptional”, or “2e,” are the current descriptors for students who have both a disability and intellectual giftedness. The signs and symptoms, however, are often confusing

A Guide to Types of Visual Schedules for Autistic Individuals

Personalization Is the Key You have probably heard a lot about using "visual schedules" for autistic people. However, you may not be as familiar with the many different types of visual schedules or the different factors that need to be considered when creating one that is indivi

5 Diverse Portrayals of Autistic Adults on TV

From Stereotypes to Paving the Way for a Diverse and Authentic Understanding of Autistic Individuals Taking a closer look at Abed Nadir, Hank Rizzoli, Matilda, Drea, and Nicholas In recent years, we have been seeing more diverse representations of autistic adults in the media, i

Autism 101: 10 Tips for General Education Teachers

There is a common saying in special education when referring to our autistic learners - if you’ve met one autistic child; you’ve met one autistic child. Teachers need to remember that each child is unique and will have a distinctive combination of strengths, needs, and challenge

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!

Opening My ARIS Autism Curriculum Kit for the First time

Christmas came early this year!

Teletherapy and Teletraining: A Solution to the Shortage of Qualified ABA Therapists

Concern has been expressed regarding a shortage of qualified Applied Behavior Analysts to meet the demands of a growing ASD population and also about the quality of training available to such providers. The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has increased dramatically

Who's Who on the IEP Team?

Learn What Each Specialist Does in Order to Make the Most of Your Child’s IEP Team When you show up to your child’s IEP meeting for the first time you may be wondering, “Who are all of these people?” You probably know the classroom teacher and the special education teacher, but

Proactive Strategies for Reducing Problem Behaviors Before They Happen

Using Routines and Pre-Correction in the Classroom for Autistic Students What is the best way to address a problem behavior? Before it happens! Procedures and routines paired with pre-correction strategies are evidence-based interventions for supporting autistic students. Instea

Building a Social Network for Autistic Students

How to Create a Peer-Mediated Intervention to Support Social Skills for Autistic Children We all need a social network; a group of people who are there for us in good times and in bad. But how can we help autistic children develop their network?

Using Peers to Support Autistic Children in the Classroom

Could Peers Be the Solution to Support Autistic Children in the Classroom? “Put a para with the student” seems to be a quick solution that many school teams jump to when looking for ways to support autistic students. While there are some positives to adult support—including more

Research on Effective Practices for Teaching: Reading Comprehension Aligns with ARIS Reading & Writing Readiness Lessons

The ARIS® Academic Readiness Intervention System curriculum is based on research that points to the importance of practicing narrative retelling and inference abilities to improve reading comprehension for autistic children.

Falling Through the Cracks: Better Identification and Integrated Treatment for Autistic or Other Special Needs ELL Students

Research indicates that ELL students who should be classified with disability status are being overlooked. The good news is that increasingly, educators are integrating ELL and special education services in a culturally responsive manner. As training programs for both teachers a

Is College Right for My Autistic Child?

How can a family best take advantage of available resources and avoid obstacles, to plot a successful post-high-school experience for an autistic child? As Steven Covey wrote in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People , “Begin with the end in mind.”

Positive Identity Development in the Autistic Child

What can parents, teachers, and therapists do to encourage a positive sense of self in autistic children and teens? What can we do to avoid the obstacles to healthy and positive identity development?

Kid Friendly Household Chores For Developing Gross Motor Skills for Autistic Children

Household work or chores are great for developing motor skills, motor planning, coordination, work ethic, responsibility, and well-being for autistic children. You might not be a big fan of household chores, but we therapists like to think of those activities that require bendin

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?

My Autistic Child is Thinking of Dating and--Gasp!--Sex?!!

Most parents are understandably anxious about the thought of their child eventually dating and becoming sexually active. That anxiety may be even greater for the parents of an autistic child. What’s a parent to do? The goal is to support every young person in healthy, optimal hu

Teletherapy for Autistic Children: Research-Based Best Practices

STAGES® Learning worked hard at building an online distance learning platform designed specifically to provide teletherapy to autistic children. Distance Learning, also called remote learning for autistic children, has been proven to be effective as a therapeutic intervention fo

Devil or Angel? The Process of Diagnosis for Autistic Children

What is ‘diagnosis’ anyway? Why have a diagnosis? How do I know if my child’s autism diagnosis is accurate? Could it be something else? Where do I go for answers? These are some of the questions that parents, therapists, and teachers ask about an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) d

Autism Influencers: Who to Follow

Interested in connecting with people in the autism community? Check out our list of influencers to follow on social media. Social Media is a powerful tool in the way it allows us to connect with friends and family, celebrities, and strangers with common interests from around the

Connected Fitness: A Great Alternative to the Gym for Autistic Teens and Adults

The Five Best Connected Fitness Activities for Autistic People

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

Autism, Gaming, and Building Social Skills

10 Ways to Build Social Skills Using Online Gaming for Autistic Teenagers Online gaming has been shown to improve social skills in autistic teenagers. It is estimated that more than 41% of autistic adolescents spend the majority of their leisure time playing video games, versus

How to Spot and Prevent Cyberbullying Against Autistic Students

In the digital age, there are many opportunities for online bullying to occur, especially for autistic children

Finding Fun and Fitness: Exercise for Autistic Children and Young Adults

A growing community of inclusive exercise programs promises that fitness can be a source of fun, rather than one of frustration, for autistic children. By choosing activities that will have a greater likelihood of success for your child, by adapting exercise programs for your ch

From Sleeping in to Prepping for School: Strategies for Avoiding Wake-up Wars

One mother’s tried and true recommendations for helping your autistic child get ready for an early wake-up time once school starts. Are you dreading your "au-some" child's first week back to school because they are used to sleeping in now? Are you wondering how they will shift t

Teaching Parts of Speech to Autistic Children: Prepositions, Opposites, Pronouns and Verb Tense

Autistic children frequently have delayed language development. For autistic children who have developed language, understanding or using parts of speech correctly may be difficult. While many children develop language skills incidentally, parts of speech such as prepositions, o

4 Activities and 3 Tips to Help Support Emotional Awareness for Your Autistic Child

Recognizing and understanding emotions is a key part of development. Emotional awareness allows individuals to identify what they are feeling and why. This is a critical step towards building emotional intelligence, a key life skill. Being able to identify our emotions and under

Coronavirus: Keeping a Routine Schedule at Home

Ways to Help Your Child with Autism Feel Safe and Secure: Best Practices for Setting Up a Routine Schedule in Your Home The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has forced schools, offices, stores, care centers, and other businesses to close suddenly. While these closures are importa

Best Free Resources for Homeschooling Your Autistic Child

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

Cabin Fever? 5 Effective Activities for Students with Autism During Social Isolation or Quarantine

Note: These 5 activities can be done every day, and we recommend that parents create a schedule so that each of these activities takes place at the same time very day when possible. Having a schedule helps keep children with autism feel more secure and reduces anxiety. We also r

Teaching Healthy Eating Choices to Children with Autism

This resource was created as a supplement for the Language Builder: Academic Readiness Intervention System (ARIS) complete early autism curriculum, Lesson #129, A Healthy Plate. Download a free copy of the lesson and learn more about the ARIS curriculum . For children with autis

Strategies for Homeschooling Children with Autism: You Can do This!

Teaching children with autism even the most basic skills can feel daunting to a home schooling parent or even, at times, an autism professional. For instance, we may attempt to teach a child for the hundredth time to wipe her mouth with a napkin, but then… drum roll ...She goes

Classroom Routines: Preparing Your Child with Autism

This resource was created as a supplement for the Language Builder: Academic Readiness Intervention System (ARIS) complete early autism curriculum, Lesson #79, Following a Schedule. Download a free copy of the lesson and learn more about the ARIS curriculum . Preparing your chil

Strengths-based Approaches to Autism for Teachers, SLPs, and Parents

Celebrating Strengths and Shifting Away from Deficit-Based Thinking Far too often, society’s bias towards students with autism focuses on the autism, rather than the whole child. Students with autism are more often perceived as “lacking” in some area, rather than celebrated for

Recommended Children’s Books About Autism

Children’s books featuring children with autism are an easy and entertaining way to introduce the topic of autism to your children, family members, friends, and your child’s peers. Children’s books offer simple, accessible explanations and illustrations that can help children an

Acupuncture and Autism

Acupuncture treatment may help your child’s autism symptoms. Acupuncture is a treatment where needles are inserted into the skin to target certain nerve or pressure points. Research has shown acupuncture to be an effective treatment for children with ASD in areas of verbal commu

How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting – For Teachers of Students with Autism

As a teacher, it is likely that you have either held or participated in an IEP meeting. Often times, you have likely interacted with family members who may be nervous or anxious about the process. Some parents may come in to IEP meetings feeling intimidated by the many people si

Autism and Anxiety: 10 Strategies to Help Your Child

For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the prevalence of anxiety is shown to be greater than for their peers. Some studies indicate that anxiety disorders are present 40% of the time for children with autism. The good news about taking this into consideration is that

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

Strategies for Promoting Sensory Integration in Writing

Sensory struggles in a child with autism can hinder his or her ability to grasp a writing implement and to use it correctly. But some marvelous strategies exist that can help children learn to write: countering “floppy” muscle tone, varying implement thickness, trying different

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.

Autism and Inclusive Sports

Special Olympics and Unified Sports for Children with Autism Sports are a unifying, fun way for individuals and communities to connect. For individuals with autism, participation in athletic events may be difficult due to the loud, chaotic environments or exclusion from particip

Autism and Dental Care

Going to the dentist can be a cause for anxiety for most of us, but it’s a very different feeling for those with autism. Patients with autism often have difficulty staying still and allowing the dentist to do what’s needed, which is why a loved one should always be present. Ever

Choosing iPad Apps for Children with Autism

The explosion of apps available on tablets like the iPad has been an exciting opportunity for children with autism. It may come as no shock to parents and educators that in general, children with autism prefer and are more engaged during app-based interventions than traditional

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

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

Parent Strategies for Helping Children with Autism Cope with Transitions and Changing Routines

Transitions from one activity to the next can be difficult for any child, especially if they are being asked to leave a preferred activity to instead do something they need to do. While some behaviors in response to transitions may look similar between neurotypical children and

Parent Strategies to Help Children with Autism Cope with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

In this article, we explore Sensory Processing Disorder (also called sensory integration or sensory sensitivity), and how these issues can be alleviated and treated, and strategies parents and caregivers can use at home and school to help ease day to day life. Stages Learning Ma

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

Storytelling and Recall with Animals Lesson Plan

Lesson Overview Teach storytelling skills, animal names, and recall skills with this story-based lesson plan. Download Lesson Plan : Skills Practiced Storytelling Recall Improvisation Materials Language Builder 3D - 2D Animal Matching Kit Blank Flashcards (Optional) Drawing supp

Five Principles of Positive Psychology to Transform Your Parenting with Your Child with Autism

Positive Psychology is a novel and accessible science that focuses on cultivating well-being, positivity, and happiness in the lives of individuals and families. Positive Psychology can help transform the way you parent your child with autism. Change can be created by investing

Music Therapy for Children with Autism

Choosing the Best Program for Your Child Benefits Overview Music has been an enriching and meaningful way for people to engage with each other throughout time, and music can provide powerful, multi-sensory experiences for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is espec

Five Research-Based Strengths Associated with Autism

Genius, Attention to Detail, Problem Solving, Memory, and Visual Skills All children, whether or not they are neurotypical, have unique sets of strengths and weaknesses. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often also have some unique challenges to overcome in building r

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

Top 10 Tips for Traveling with Kids with Autism

Travel can be a beautiful way to explore a new environment, bond as a family, and learn together. For children on the autism spectrum, travel can also mean venturing through unfamiliar routines and adjusting to stressful, chaotic situations. However, with thoughtful preparation,

Ten Tips for Visiting Family When Your Child Has Autism

With the holiday season comes family gatherings, cozy meals, vacation plans, and yes — a dash of festive chaos. Traveling to visit family can be stressful even when everything goes as expected. However, a bit of planning and preparation can help keep your holiday season the most

Tips and Strategies for Helping Children with Autism Develop New Routines

With difficulty making sense of their surroundings and feelings of anxiety, children with autism often develop routines and rituals to have some form of order and structure to their lives. Everyday routines such as washing and teeth brushing are generally consistent. There are t

Helping Children with Autism Develop Friendships

5 guidelines for the class or the home Friendships can have a major impact on wellbeing and personal growth, yet building new relationships can be anxiety provoking for adults and children alike. So, imagine how hard it can be for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), w

Can Horseback Riding Help Children with Autism?

The Benefits of Equine Therapy What is Equine Therapy?

10 Tips for Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Top Tips to Help You Get Started All children have unique learning needs, but children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD require a little extra guidance and support. Whether you’re a parent or teacher, it’s essential to understand what a child with autism needs and how you ca

Wandering and Autism: 6 Strategies to Prevent Wandering Behavior

Wandering or “elopement,” a common behavioral occurrence among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to the tendency to leave a safe, supervised space or caregiver and subsequently expose oneself to potential danger. Wandering is both tragic and terrifying for par

How a Child’s Special Interests Can Assist in Learning and Growing

Affinities, Avatars, and Autism: Oh My! Learning empathy from Simba. Recognizing emotions with Ariel. It may seem unconventional, but the inspiring story about Owen Suskind, an autistic child depicted in the book and adapted award-winning documentary, Life, Animated , illustrate

5 Ways to Help Reduce Anxiety in Children with Autism

Download FREE Autism Behavior Intervention Technique {{cta('4be34b8e-fbdf-462d-b166-928e9953dd40','justifycenter')}} It’s likely that we all know someone who experiences anxiety, and there’s no doubt that anxiety can be exhausting and can interfere with daily life. For children

New Program Prepares Teens with Autism to Serve in the Israel Defense Forces

Although almost seven thousand miles away, Leora Sali’s tone of determination resonated her passion for her work. She agreed to speak with me about the program she co-manages in Israel, Roim Rachok. “For the first time, he called his grandmother and planned a visit on his own. T

Six Simple Mindfulness Practices for Kids with Autism

The practice of quieting the mind, otherwise known as mindfulness, is increasingly being practiced across the board – from Google executives to classrooms as a replacement to detention (Bloom, 2016). Mindfulness specifically refers to the practice of paying attention to the pres

7 Tips for Teaching Your Child with Autism to Cook

I can still remember when I was a child watching my mother cook. Her face always beamed with a smile so big that everyone could tell how much joy she had in preparing a great meal for my family. It seemed cooking was not only a hobby that she enjoyed, but also one of her passion

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

Social Thinking: 6 Strategies for Teaching Children with Autism

What is Social Thinking? Social Thinking is a flexible teaching framework that is designed to help individuals ages four and up with autism spectrum disorder and other social and communication difficulties. The framework helps these individuals better understand the process by w

Leveraging Special Interests to Help Children with Autism: An Autistic Person* Shares Her Experiences

Having a special interest in something is a major part of the repetitive behavior that comes with autism. In fact, researcher Tony Attwood (2003) found that special interests seem “to be a dominant characteristic, occurring in over 90% of children and adults with Asperger’s synd

Book Review: “Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap”

This is a book review of “Why Johnny doesn’t Flap,” a book about an autistic boy’s neurotypical (meaning without neurological disabilities) friend, Johnny. I will give a brief description of the book’s story, illustrations and message.

How to Foster Social Skills Development at School: A Guide for Teachers and School Counselors

Social Skills & Autism Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction. This can include challenges in social-emotional reciprocity and non-verbal communication used in social interactions. This can often lead to children with autism

A New Education: Teaching Coding to Students with Autism

Although many students with autism possess incredible talents and abilities, especially related to spatial reasoning, only about 10 to 20 percent of adults with autism are employed (Born, 2011; Kavilanz, 2016). Providing code education to students with autism is not only critica

How To Make Life Easier for a Person Who Uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

As an autistic person, I am very familiar with AAC. I use it, and I am around others who use it too. Because it is AAC awareness month, I thought this was a good opportunity to write about it.

11 Classroom Management Strategies for Children with Special Needs

Strategies to use with your students Inclusion is a great thing. Children with special needs are no longer isolated in “Special Ed” classrooms and only seen on the playground or in the lunchroom. Kids with special needs thrive in the presence of their peers. There are so many le

Autism Explained

An Autistic Woman Explains Common Autism Characteristics and Misconceptions Basics- What is autism? Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder. It is a condition that affects every part of a person’s life. Autism is diagnosed by looking at the three ‘pillars’ of autism: Repeti

Author Catlaina Vrana On Her New Book “Ella Autie”

Hi! My name is Catlaina, and I am the author of "Ella Autie". "Ella Autie" was a book made for my senior project. Here is a quick summary:

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

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Autism

Knowing What to Look for with Autism Have you ever worried that your child is exhibiting symptoms of autism, but had no one to go to and no understanding of how to acquire a diagnosis and ensure that your child will receive the help they need?

Sequencing Cards Lesson Plan

Download the Sequencing Cards Lesson Plan {{cta('b8f89277-aabd-4cc7-8dc3-58a90e65d5bd','justifycenter')}} Lesson Overview Students will use sequencing cards to review vocabulary words and practice ordering events. Skills Practiced Picture identification and vocabulary Fine and g

Feelings Box Lesson Plan

Lesson Overview Students will review the Emotion Flash Cards and create their own chart depicting various emotions. Students will then think of emotions they show outside and inside to make a feelings box.

What Just Happened?

Lesson Overview Students will verbalize an inference about the events leading up to a visual scene by explaining “what just happened” in response to visual cues.

Autism and Art Therapy: Four Beneficial Treatment Options

Finding the Form of Art Therapy That Works Best for Your Child For more than 70 years, creative arts therapies such as visual art therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, and drama therapy have been used in psychotherapy or counseling with individuals of all ages, particularly chi

Occupation Card Perspective-Taking

Lesson Overview Students will infer how professionals feel at work by verbally elaborating on visuals from occupation cards.

The Therapeutic Power of Pets for Children with Autism

Jackson Tillman is in third grade, lives in Kentucky, and has autism. The biggest challenge Jackson’s family has is that when a situation becomes overwhelming Jackson bolts, and when Jackson is with his grandmother she can’t keep up. That’s where Jackson’s buddy Mateo comes in.

New Tools to Help Your Child Sleep

Research [i] confirms what many parents of children with autism already know: children with autism have a higher incidence of sleep challenges, and the more severe the autism symptoms the more severe the sleep challenges. Research, [ii] as well as common sense, also tells us tha

Using Sensory Tools to Help Kids Focus and Concentrate

Using sensory tools in your practice can provide a more focused, content and alert individual. Whether you are a specialist using ABA, speech and language techniques, occupational therapy interventions or teaching lessons, keeping the sensory needs of your children in mind while

Receptive Labeling Lesson Plan

Lesson Overview: By touching or pointing to the appropriate card, students show that they recognize the word and can identify the corresponding picture. This activity can be prefaced by the Picture ID lesson to familiarize the student with the pictures he/she is finding.

Expressive Labeling Lesson Plan

Lesson Overview: Students will practice expressive language skills by verbally identifying a picture on a card. Skills practiced include expressive language, picture identification and photo identification.

Talking about Puberty with Children with Autism

All bodies go through puberty, regardless of the developmental "age" of a child or the level of their cognitive or academic skills. It can be startling for parents to see their child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) begin to develop an adult body and characteristics when t

Teaching Stranger Safety to Kids with Autism

Teaching young children about safety around strangers is nothing new. In fact, most adults can remember their own parents and teachers talking to them about the dangers of “taking candy from a stranger” or “getting in a car with someone you don’t know” at an early age. For today

3 Ways to Build Skills for Transition Now!

Planning for a young adult with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or other special needs to transition from special education to adult services can be overwhelming for children and their parents alike! Many parents are so intimidated by the transition process that they refuse to t

Blending Hands-on and Digital Learning: Holiday Edition

Building on our theme of blending hands-on and digital learning, the holidays are a great time to utilize technology to help kids understand tradition and explore not only the world around them, but also beyond their own communities. No need to stress about how to keep your kids

Puzzles: Playing or Learning?

Puzzles are classic toys that come in many forms: jigsaw puzzles, peg puzzles, framed board puzzles, block puzzles, and more! When a child starts to put together puzzles they are learning about shapes and space.

Lang-O-Learn Cards Labeled in 17 Different Languages

Stages Learning Materials produces 13 flash card sets that are labeled on the reverse in 17 common languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Polish, Filipino, Portuguese, Greek, Thai, Ara

Blending Hands-On and Digital Learning Part 1

Stages Learning Materials presents a new blog series to discuss blending digital and hands-on learning. Mixed messages abound when it comes to using technology in early childhood. In a recent Edutopia article , Beth Holland advises teachers and parents to look beyond all the neg

Autism Technology

Over approximately the past 2 decades, with the rise in the prevalence of autism, an entire industry has grown up around treating and teaching children and adults with autism, as well as easing the challenges and improving the quality of day-to-day life for individuals on the au