Welcome to this group!

I am one of the school psychologists at Cresskill Public Schools. I am very excited to be a part of this forum as I'm hoping to learn and share new and exciting information.

Hello! I work with preschoolers with Autism. I would like to learn what others are doing/using in their rooms to help students with Autism, especially those that are a part of early intervention!

Hi, I have worked with students with autism for over 12 years. I was a classroom teacher and I am now an Instructional Specialist in the Autism field. I run the AutismClassroom.com website.

I like to share this from my site:
In effort to promote and maintain a level of excellence, there are some items that must be basic foundations in classes that serve students with autism. Promoting a basic foundation for your classroom will help you create structure in your student's program. Classrooms serving students with autism should have basic items in place to help that student be successful in the school environment. Below is a list of items that your classroom, which serves children with autism spectrum disorders, should have:

1. Schedule - A classroom schedule should be posted that reflects the following: independent work time, 1:1 (or 2:1) work time, small group instruction, social skills instruction, sensory play, structured play/structured recreation-leisure opportunities, fine motor work opportunities, personal management opportunities, limited large group activities.

2. An Effective Classroom Set Up/Engineered Environment for Students with Autism- An engineered environment created specifically to meet the needs of students with Autism is critical to the success of your classroom program. These items, such as visual supports, creating boundaries, individualization and organization should be seen, utilized and programmed into the daily operations of your class.

3. Data Collection System- A data collection system should be in place to measure each student's IEP (Individualized Education Plan) objectives. IEP objectives will need to be measured using effective data collection methods. Data collection sheets should be ready for the start of school.

4. Written Plan for Classroom Roles and Responsibilities- Your classroom should have a posted written plan that designates the major responsibilities each staff member assumes. This plan should also include the areas of the classroom each staff member is responsible for during the instructional parts of the day. For example, running the art lesson, recording attendance, preparing the snack time lesson, supporting the language lesson, preparing the daily calendar, may be the types of responsibilities noted. (Please understand that sometimes responsibilities overlap or change). Classrooms serving students with autism require a great deal of teamwork; a plan in which responsibilities are clarified will positively contribute to the productivity of your team.

5. Weekly Scheduled Debriefing Sessions- It is extremely important to meet with your team members concerning the needs and issues of your students. Your classroom team should have at the very least 1 weekly debriefing session before or after school. Suggested topics during this session are discussion of students, review and revising communication strategies, teaching strategies, behavior interventions, scheduling and classroom roles and responsibilities. Input from all staff members should be encouraged to help create a successful learning environment for staff as well as for students.

6. 3-Step Prompting Series- To serves as a guide for making requests of students should be used consistently in the classroom. Posting this on the wall will help remind staff of the technique.

7. Language Based Techniques/Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) - These techniques and strategies must be embedded in all activities throughout the child's day. AAC methods can include picture symbol task analysis, picture exchange, natural aided language techniques, visual cues for behaviors, picture symbols, photographs, written words (if the child is reading), etc.

8. A Written Behavior Plan- A plan should be in place for each child's targeted behaviors. If students have inappropriate behavior(s), there should be a plan for dealing with that behavior(s). All staff members in your class should have a copy of the behavior plans. The behavior plans can be very short or extensive depending on the needs of the student. Behavior plans can cover information as minor as "what to do when the child keeps taking of their shoe" to something as major as aggression, hitting, kicking etc. In each case, you will want to conduct a Functional Behavior Assessment to develop a Behavior Intervention Plan. The behavior plans should be a written plan of action so that each member of your classroom team responds in the same way to a behavior.

9. Sensory Issues- Sensory issues should be addressed throughout the school day. Sensory issues should be identified for each child, when applicable, and programmed for and incorporated in the daily schedule.

Jennifer, Here are some preschool ideas
THEME: Numbers and Shapes

Joint Attention
· Count favorite food items before eating them.
· Count down to a fun blastoff using a paper airplane or a balloon.
· Read a magazine or newspaper together and locate all of the numbers that you find.
· Blow bubbles and count how many you can see or how many you can pop.

Imitation Skills
· Use finger paint to imitate painting a picture of a number of your choice.
· Use play dough to make shapes. Have the student imitate the shape.
· Throw play money in the air and watch it come down. See if the students will imitate.

Communication
· Use a number board to have students request a specific # of mealtime items.
· Count from 1-20 with a high pitched voice, then repeat with a low pitched voice.
· Have students request square or round crackers.

Self-Help Skills
· Decorate, then laminate, a placemat to serve as a boundary for mealtimes.
· Make popcorn. Count how many pieces it takes to glue on to various shapes.
(Source: Lesson Plans and Ideas for Young Children with Autism and Related Special Needs)

Coming into public education later in life and with lots of education, I have had a hard time securing a job. After one year in a Napa CA school 2 hours away, and several long-term sub jobs, I took on a local position as Medical Home Teacher, which most would consider an end job. But I love it. Teaching 1:1 opens the door to a more personal relationship to develop.
I am a student in the UC Davis Autism Spectrum Program. Our text is Learners on the Autism Spectrum; Preparing Highly Qualified Educators. Each chapter is written by an authority in the field. We also use the Autism Internet Modules, which are excellent.

I have not used an ipod but I do let my 4 year old daughter use my iphone and she loves it. There are so many apps that you can download all related to education of course. My daughter has autism and lacks language so the apps that help develop talking are ideal for her. I am saving to purchase an ipad for my classroom because I have 1 outdated computer that barely works and 3 students with autism who love computer time.

Have you registered for donor's choose? If not, go to Donor's Choose and set up a class profile. It will link you to stores where you can order what you need and people can log into your account and donate how much they want. Five dollars here and 20 dollars there adds up and before you know it you have an ipod! My girlfriend did it and she was fully funded for 2 32GB ipods from Best Buy. I am also on that website and am asking people to help me fund a sensory input center for my autistic students.

Good Luck!

Hi,

My name is Pam. I have a 4 year old son who was diagnosed with ASD last year. I am a stay at home mom who has a Master's degree in Public Health. It wasn't until I had my son (my only currently) when I realized how much I love children. I have returned to school part time to obtain my teacher certificate for special ed and B-Kindergarten license. I am eager to read up on the discussions and find out some strategies for working with children on the spectrum- both for at home and in the classroom!

Thanks,
Pam

I am an Autism Consultant from daycare to postsecondary to work or community. The best thing you can do is learn the structured teaching approach of TEACCH dot com. Some people have been misspelling (?) it and therefore, not accessing it. Teacch.com
Wendy