Autism Newsletter
September 2022
Our schools are once again busting with life and the rhythm of learning. A new school year has began with its victories, challenges, and hopes for ourselves, students, staff and families. While September is still warm, Fall is around the corner with milder temperatures, holidays, and sports to cheer.
Hope your having a great day!
Allison
806-281-5703
Communication is a basic human right. Limited communication may impact a students learning, quality of life and development of relationships. Some behaviors may be trying to communicate wanting access to something while other behaviors may be trying to communicate the need to escape or avoid something.
It's important to define the challenging behavior by what it looks like and sounds like. The antecedent is what is happening immediately before the identified, challenging behavior. Consequences is what happens immediately following the identified behaviors. This is the "function" of the behavior or the "why".
Students gain control over their environment when their behavior is intentional and conventional.
2022-2023 Autism Circuit Academy Level 1 "The Tool Belt" Cohort Application. Seeking educators across the state of Texas to learn more about evidence-based practices (EBPs) for students with autism. Application deadline: September 15, 2022
The Autism Circuit Academy (ACA) endorsement programs are comprehensive professional development designed to help Texas educators acquire and effectively implement evidence-based practices (EBPs) for teaching students with autism. The ACA is a product of the Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism Training (TSLAT) and is supported by a grant from the Texas Education Agency. The training is free for educators across Texas who are employees of a local education agency.
Upcoming Workshops
Building Independence: Creating and Using Structured Work Systems
Register now for this limited-attendance session that will give you the tools for supporting independence for your students.
Thu, Oct 13, 2022, 08:24 AM
Exploring Careers
Exploring Careers (Charting the Course for High School), will provide 8th-9th grade students with hands on activities to explore careers, their IEP documents, and life after high school. Local TWC-VR staff will be present at the event to answer questions about VR services including Pre-Employment Transition Services.
Wed, Nov 2, 2022, 09:00 AM
Virtual Book Study: Late, Lost, and Unprepared
Executive functions are the cognitive skills that help us manage our lives and be successful. Children with weak executive skills, despite their best intentions, often do their homework but forget to turn it in, wait until the last minute to start a project, lose things, or have a room that looks like a dump! The good news is that parents and teachers can do a lot to support and train students to manage these frustrating and stressful weaknesses.
This is a 4 week book study where we will discuss in-depth how to better support our students.
Late, Lost, and Unprepared is a must-have book for parents and teachers of students from primary school through high school who struggle with:
Impulse Control (taking turns, interrupting others, running off)
Cognitive Flexibility (adapting to new situations, transitions, handling frustrations)
Initiation (starting homework, chores, and major projects)
Working Memory (following directions, note-taking, reading and retaining info)
Planning & Organizing (completing and turning in homework, juggling schedules)
Self-monitoring (making careless errors, staying on topic, getting into trouble but not understanding why)
Tue, Nov 8, 2022, 01:18 PM
DIY IEP Work Bins
IEP Work Bins are a great way to progress monitor and collect data on a schedule in any special education classroom setting. But how do you know it's right for you without trying it? And do you really need to spend money on those somewhat expensive plastic bins to make it work? Sharing today to show you how to DIY your own IEP work bins using supplies you already have on hand at home or in your classroom.