Articles
Recent Articles
A Summer Guide for Teachers of Neurodiverse Students (so… a guide for all teachers)
As the school year winds down, we celebrate your incredible dedication to neurodiverse learners. Summer is a time to recharge, but also a great moment to deepen your expertise, discover new resources, and stay connected with the autism leadership community. Whether you are looking for in-person PD, online courses, books, or podcasts, here are some ideas to get you started. Read More A Summer Guide for Teachers of Neurodiverse Students (so… a guide for all teachers)
Autism Library Favorites: Explore Our Top Reads & Suggest What’s Next
Did you know we have a section in our TTAC-ODU Library dedicated to autism? Our thoughtfully curated selection of books, assessments, kits, and activities aims to provide educators with practical tools, strategies, and insights to create supportive learning environments with autistic students front of mind (though many of the supports and approaches benefit all students)…. Read More Autism Library Favorites: Explore Our Top Reads & Suggest What’s Next
Supporting Nonspeaking Students on the Spectrum: Training Opportunities and Resources
Communication is a basic human right, and nonspeaking students should have access to tools that help them express themselves. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, along with training for educators and caregivers, are essential for full participation in school and society. Free resources are available to support students and ensure communication goes beyond spoken words. Read More Supporting Nonspeaking Students on the Spectrum: Training Opportunities and Resources
Fostering a Sense of Belonging and Community
⏱️ A 5 Minute Read + 9 Activities to Try Read More Fostering a Sense of Belonging and Community
Embracing the Outdoors: Boosting Mental Health During ESY
In the last newsletter, I discussed mental health concerns for our students on the spectrum and provided free resources to support efforts in fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth in our school communities. An additional simple, yet effective, way to further boost mental wellbeing is by getting outside! With the more flexible schedule of… Read More Embracing the Outdoors: Boosting Mental Health During ESY
Resources
Featured Resources
VCU ACE Communication Toolkit
ACE developed a communication toolkit to assist educators and families with some of the basic functional communication and social exchanges necessary for individuals to get their needs met while developing social skills in the process.
Structured Literacy PowerPoint Lesson Templates
Whether presented in-person or virtually, literacy instruction should be provided in a systematic, sequential, explicit, and multisensory manner. When teaching literacy skills virtually, it is important to know that, while your delivery platform must be altered, the content of the structured literacy instruction stays the same. The Structured Literacy Beginner Pack Lesson Template can be used virtually, or in person, to provide structured literacy instruction for students working on emergent literacy skills.
A Family’s Guide to Prompting
Prompting is a part of ALL learning. This guide can be downloaded and given to families to help them effectively using prompting at home.
20 Tips for an Effective Video IEP Meeting
This resource from Stetson & Associates provides simple tips for helping the process of conducting virtual IEP meetings run smoothly.
Online Learning
Online Learning
For more events and online learning opportunities please see the TTAC ODU Events Page.
ASD and Inclusive Practices for All
This free, self-paced course gives a brief introduction to characteristics of ASD and then outlines classroom strategies to help meet diverse learning needs for ALL students, not just those with ASD. The course is appropriate for general education teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and special education teachers. Participants will receive a certificate for 3 hours of continuing education upon completion.
Writing with Alternative Pencils
Alternative Pencils give students access to the alphabet and can help students with significant and/or intellectual disabilities engage in emergent literacy activities. This module demonstrates five different types of alternative pencils.
VCU-ACE Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder Self-Paced Course
This course provides participants with an understanding of the primary characteristics of ASD, which include impairments in communication and social development and the presence of repetitive patterns of behavior as well as sensory processing issues. The course covers ASD through the lifespan.
Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules
Sign up for a free account to gain access to learning modules and resources on Evidence Based Practices in Autism.
