If you’ve spent five minutes in a classroom with kids who have extensive support needs, you already know sensory integration isn’t some abstract concept from a textbook. It’s the thing that decides whether the next twenty minutes go smoothly or completely sideways. Here’s what I mean. Sensory integration is just the brain’s job of taking…
NAKALISF
What to do when your student elopes and you’re the only adult in the room
The article discusses the challenges of managing elopement in classrooms with students who have extensive support needs. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the reasons behind elopement, prioritizing safety, implementing prevention strategies, and documenting incidents. The author encourages teachers to seek support and advocate for appropriate IEP interventions to assist students effectively.
How to Support Communication in Autism Classrooms
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is, “If a student isn’t talking, they’re not communicating.” But in my classroom, communication is happening all day long. It just doesn’t always sound like most people expect to hear. Students communicate through: And when we recognize these as valid forms of communication, our perceptions change. Because communication…
5 Visual Supports That Actually Work in Autism Classrooms
The article emphasizes the effectiveness of various visual supports for students with autism in classrooms. Key tools include visual schedules, communication boards, choice boards, calm down boards, and core communication boards. These resources foster communication, regulation, and independence while reducing anxiety and frustration, ultimately creating an accessible and supportive learning environment.
Why I Love Teaching in an Autism Focus Classroom
Autism acceptance isn’t about lowering expectations or feeling sorry for students.
It’s about recognizing competence, honoring differences, and creating environments where all students can succeed.
Making Math Visible: Why My High School Students Still Use Manipulatives
When people hear that my high school students use manipulatives and graphic organizers during math, they sometimes assume the work must be very basic. But in reality, these tools are what make academic learning accessible.
Seeing Students as Capable
Seeing students as capable is just one of the ideas shaping our classroom this year.
I Didn’t Disappear. I Was Paying Attention.
When I started Our Spectrum of Strengths, my plan was simple:write about my classroom, what we were learning, how I differentiate curriculum so every student gets what they need, and how I design my environment with intention. Then school started. This year, I welcomed four new students into my classroom. Each one came with significant…
Preparing for the New School Year in a Neurodivergent-Affirming Classroom
Preparing for the New School Year in a Neurodivergent-Affirming Classroom.