Tapping The Potential

Here is a mother, Kristine Barnett, who decided to buck the system of spending hours of therapy per week focusing on what her autistic son Jacob could NOT do, and instead, she gave him freedom to explore his interests, and supported them. Jacob engaged in, what were considered to be “repetitive behaviors”, but instead of … Continue reading →

Role Model: Chuck Close

I keep this Chuck Close book in my classroom every year for the kids to explore. This year, one student has really taken an interest in it and looks at it whenever he can, shares it, and asks me questions about Chuck, and his art, and his life. Today, I showed this video to the … Continue reading →

Check It Out

Recently, for one of my students, I set up a timer to go off throughout the day as a periodic reminder for him to “check it out.” In social situations, this means that he will remember to look around at what’s already being discussed before he begins a new subject. During lessons, this means that he … Continue reading →

Love Hormone Shows Promise For Kids With Autism

Love Hormone’ Shows Promise For Kids With Autism New research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that showed that a single dose of oxytocin, “the love hormone” enhanced activities of the brain associated with social tasks such as responding appropriately to people vs objects. More research is being done carried out … Continue reading →

Helpful vs. Hurtful

What it is: A simple phrase that helps kids frame was is okay and not okay to do to themselves or others.   Background: Last year I was having trouble getting my students to understand what behavior was okay and what wasn’t okay in the classroom. There are a lot of gray areas in a … Continue reading →

I Need Your Advice

This article and an encounter I witnessed a few mornings ago have left me wondering how to help. On Tuesday morning, as I arrived to the elementary school where I teach and walked through the playground toward my class, I witnessed an encounter between a former student of mine and a general education student. Here’s … Continue reading →

GOOD NEWS

Here is a short story to learn from: When an 8-year-old who’s nonverbal became loud and hit the table while out to eat over the weekend, his family got a pleasant surprise. Ashley England was out to dinner with her family Friday night in China Grove, N.C. when her son Riley got “a little rowdy,” … Continue reading →

Special Needs Artists

The DAC gallery is a Los Angeles based art gallery currently displaying an exhibit titled Horizon Lines which features artworks from ECF Art Centers, an adult program of the Exceptional Children’s Foundation (ECF) that mentors, empowers and represents adult artists with special needs. Horizon Lines showcases the work of approximately 100 ECF artists and pushes the … Continue reading →

Autism Is a Different Brain, Not a Deficient One

“http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/08/16/study-different-brain/18533/”>http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/08/16/study-different-brain/18533/“>”“> In a new study, the first of its kind, “Stanford researchers have unearthed clues about the formidable brains of some children with autism, suggesting that the diagnosis may signal a different cognitive style, not disability.” Continue reading →

Inspiration Table

Educational advisor Ken Robinson says “creativity is  as important in education as literacy and we should treat it with the same status.” I agree and I’ve found an easy way to boost each child’s natural creativity, every day, in the classroom. What It Is: A table in the classroom for exploring and experimenting that I … Continue reading →