Common Misconceptions Misconceptions about reinforcement including, “I don’t believe in bribing students” and “I’m not going to reward him for doing work he is just supposed to do” are common barriers to the use of reinforcement in the classroom. Developing a better understanding of the definition of reinforcement, the role it plays in everyone’s life,… Read More Understanding and Using Reinforcement
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Using Visual Representations in Math Instruction
Teaching Abstract Concepts to Concrete Thinkers Students with autism are, generally, concrete thinkers, which can make teaching math skills difficult. As math work becomes more abstract, how can educators help these students build problem solving and application skills? Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University, reports that brain evidence supports the use of… Read More Using Visual Representations in Math Instruction
Professional Development to Meet Rising Needs in Autism
Increasing Number of Students with Autism In the 10-year span from 2004 to 2014, the number of students served under IDEA Part B with a disability category of autism rose by 202% (U.S. Department of Education, 2018). With the continued rise in the number of students with autism, more teachers are faced with the challenge… Read More Professional Development to Meet Rising Needs in Autism
Summer Professional Development
Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM) offers free online modules for all 27 evidence-based practices identified by the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Earn a professional development certificate or CEUs for completing a module. The site also offers a resource library of materials that support the use of evidence-based practices with… Read More Summer Professional Development
Reading for Meaning and Autism Spectrum Disorders
What makes reading for understanding especially challenging for children on the autism spectrum? Autism Spectrum Disorders are a cluster of developmental disorders characterized by deficits in communication and social interactions as well as cognitive processing deficits. Learners within the spectrum exhibit a range of strengths and weaknesses, with a full range of intellectual abilities from… Read More Reading for Meaning and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Effective Vocabulary Instruction that Increases Reading Comprehension
Semantic gradients is a group of related words placed on a continuum that allows students to make connections between known words and new vocabulary. Reading Rockets has fun and engaging activities that help students deepen their understanding of related words. Research states that vocabulary instruction is an essential skill that students need to improve reading… Read More Effective Vocabulary Instruction that Increases Reading Comprehension
Evidence Based Instructional Practice-Why Conduct a Preference Assessment with My Students?
Often students with autism are not able to indicate their preferences and dislikes. Things that are reinforcing or rewarding for one student may be really unpleasant for another student. As teachers, we cannot assume that our favorite things and activities would also be preferred by others. Conducting a preference assessment is important and critical to… Read More Evidence Based Instructional Practice-Why Conduct a Preference Assessment with My Students?
