Special Needs: Embracing Autism

Resources, Tips and Support From an Autism Educator

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Special Needs: Embracing Autism

2 days ago

Sometimes the best lessons have four legs and the tiniest baa. 🐐💛Today’s animal therapy moment included holding a newborn baby goat, and let me tell you — the smiles, curiosity, and calm were instant. Experiences like this are more than just adorable (even though… SO adorable). They’re powerful learning moments for students with autism.Learning about baby goats helps students:✨ Practice gentle touch and body awareness✨ Build communication through shared experiences and vocabulary✨ Develop emotional regulation and connection✨ Increase engagement, curiosity, and confidence✨ Learn real-world skills like caring for animals and respecting living thingsAnimal therapy creates natural opportunities for social interaction, sensory exploration, and meaningful learning — all while having so much fun. Sometimes learning looks like worksheets… and sometimes it looks like holding a baby goat and learning about life. 🥹🐐💬 Would your students love an animal therapy day? Drop a 🐐 if you’re team hands-on learning or share your favorite animal-based lesson below!#AnimalTherapy #SpecialEducation #Autism #EmbracingAutism #spedteacherlife ... See MoreSee Less

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Special Needs: Embracing Autism is in Arizona.

3 days ago

✨ Teaching students with autism goes far beyond academics. ✨When we help students develop self-belief, we give them something that lasts a lifetime — confidence, courage, and the ability to step into the world as their authentic selves. Every moment of encouragement, every celebration of progress, and every opportunity to succeed helps build that belief from the inside out.Students with autism don’t need to be “fixed.” They need to be supported, understood, and reminded of their strengths. When they begin to see what we see — their potential, resilience, and ability — incredible things happen. 💛As educators and advocates, our belief in our students often becomes the bridge to their belief in themselves. And that belief opens doors to growth, independence, and possibility. 🌟💬 How do you help build confidence and self-belief in your students? Share one strategy or moment below — let’s inspire each other. 👇✨#EmbracingAutism #AutismAcceptance #SpecialEducation #SPEDTeachers #BelieveInStudents ConfidenceMatters InclusiveEducation ... See MoreSee Less

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Special Needs: Embracing Autism is in Arizona.

4 days ago

Next in my book series review 📚✨If you work with students who engage in challenging behavior, Functional Communication Training for Problem Behavior by Joe Reichle and David P. Wacker is one of those foundational reads that truly changes how you see behavior in the classroom.At its core, this book reminds us of something powerful: behavior is communication. When students don’t yet have an effective way to communicate their needs, wants, or frustrations, behavior often fills that gap. This book breaks down how to teach functional, appropriate communication skills that replace challenging behaviors — rather than just trying to stop the behavior itself.What teachers will love about this book is how practical it is. It walks you through:Identifying the function of behavior (escape, attention, access, sensory)Teaching replacement communication that actually works for the studentUsing visuals, AAC, sign, or simple verbal responsesSupporting communication across environments (not just during “therapy time”)Even though it’s rooted in ABA, the strategies translate beautifully into SPED classrooms, life-skills settings, and inclusive environments. You’ll start seeing behavior moments as teachable moments — opportunities to build independence, reduce frustration, and empower students to advocate for themselves.This book is especially helpful for teachers because it:✔️ Connects behavior support to meaningful communication✔️ Helps reduce power struggles and reactive discipline✔️ Builds long-term skills instead of short-term fixes✔️ Aligns perfectly with IEP goals and functional outcomesIf you’ve ever thought, “My student knows what they want but can’t tell me,” this book gives you the tools to change that — and the confidence to implement it.📖 Teacher takeaway: When we teach communication, we don’t just reduce behavior… we give students a voice.Have you used Functional Communication Training in your classroom? I’d love to hear how it’s made an impact for your students 💛#SpecialEducation #SPEDTeacher #AutismEducation #EmbracingAutism #functionalcommunication ... See MoreSee Less

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Special Needs: Embracing Autism is in Arizona.

5 days ago

🧪✨ In a special education classroom, science is so much more than a lesson. ✨🧪Every experiment becomes an opportunity to practice real-life skills — following directions, sequencing steps, measuring, problem-solving, and building independence. When science is broken down into clear, supportive steps, students don’t just participate… they succeed. 💛Hands-on science gives students the chance to explore, engage, and take ownership of their learning. With visuals, task analyses, and hands-on materials, students gain confidence as they complete each step and see the results of their work.Science becomes a place where curiosity grows, independence builds, and students learn, “I can do this.” And that belief carries far beyond the classroom. 🌟What’s your favorite science activity to use for skill-building in your classroom? Share below — let’s keep learning meaningful and fun! 👇✨#SpecialEducation #SPEDTeachers #ScienceForAll #HandsOnLearning #LifeSkillsInAction EmbracingAutism InclusiveClassroom ... See MoreSee Less

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Special Needs: Embracing Autism is in Arizona.

6 days ago

🧪✨ Science + sensory + success = learning that sticks! ✨🧪Fun, hands-on science experiments aren’t just exciting — they’re powerful learning opportunities for students with special needs. Activities like making slime turn science into an engaging, sensory-rich experience while teaching meaningful skills that go far beyond the experiment itself.By following a clear task analysis, students practice:✔️ following multi-step directions✔️ sequencing and organization✔️ fine motor and bilateral coordination✔️ measuring and pouring✔️ waiting, problem-solving, and flexibility✔️ independence and confidenceWhen science is broken down into manageable steps, students can participate successfully and take ownership of their learning. Each completed step builds confidence, and each experiment completed builds the belief of “I can do this.” 💛Science becomes more than a lesson — it becomes a way to practice independence, explore curiosity, and celebrate success in a meaningful, hands-on way.What’s your favorite hands-on science activity to do with students? Share below — let’s inspire each other with ideas that make learning fun and functional! 👇✨#ScienceForAll #SpecialEducation #EmbracingAutism #HandsOnLearning #TaskAnalysis LifeSkills FunctionalLearning SPEDTeachers InclusiveClassroom ... See MoreSee Less

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