A1: Some...I had 1 high functioning girl in my room last year. I ADORE her. Also interned a summer at a school for autism....god bless those teachers, it takes extreme patience and a special type of person to fill those shoes #dojochat
Q1: 2 Stars- some experience! Had a student my first year teaching on the spectrum. I wish I could have done better for him than I did! Trying to learn to be better for my future students! #firstyrteacherprobs#dojochat
A1: 2 stars. Had a student my first year teaching on the spectrum. I wish I could have done better for him! Hoping to learn to be better for future students! #firstyrteacherprobs#dojochat
A2 It all depends on that student. I want them to feel comfortable FIRST, academics will come next. Using a visual transition chart helped a student I had with Autism. #dojochat
Q2 Taking the time to get to know them, accommodations, etc. is one way to serve our Autistic kiddos. I've taken the time to meet with parents and case workers to learn strategies that work too. #dojochat
A2 A seat at a table group even if they only visit the classroom for an hour, make sure they can make it to to classroom celebrations (not just curriculum), students would make sure to connect outside the classroom too, they're a part of our classroom community. ❤️ #dojochat
A2: Flexible seating to get those wiggles out, preferential work space, Ss are not limited to their desk, they can work in a quiet space. Positive and immediate reinforcement for desired behaviors. #dojochat
A2: My classroom is theirs just like any student. I carefully consider specific needs in a way other kids never notice. I do anything to make it home. #dojochat
A2: Flexible seating to get those wiggles out, preferential work space, Ss are not limited to their desk, they can work in a quiet space. Positive and immediate reinforcement for desired behaviors. #dojochat
A3 I find that once you make a kiddo a part of your classroom community, it comes naturally. If not, consistently making random groups means we ALL have to work together at some point 😉 Coming together as a classroom community FIRST is HUGE for me #dojochat
A3: use an activity that includes their interest or a talent they can shine in. There was always a handful of the students that had great rapport so I never had this challenge. #dojochat
A3: I started by assigning them a buddy (a very friendly and talkative one) so that way they always have someone to include them in the activities #dojochat
A3 You know... Sometimes I don't have to say a word at all. In our school, a student with autism is the most loving and smiley boy so my students love when he comes he laughing and smiling. Sometime we explain that they are just like us. #dojochat
A3 Having a peer tutor/buddy was one of the BEST ways that I found to promote interaction. I had the sweetest 2nd grader who was bubbly and talkative. She LOVED her buddy. #dojochat
A3: Ss noticed she was different. we had some "real talk" Explained we're all diff. & she needs extra help to succeed. class agreed to be kind and helpful...that was my most favorite year of K! They went past being kind bc of autism, they were kind bc they were friends #dojochat
Q4: behaviors are avoided if triggers are around. I had a boy who would cry- talking with him and incorporating an active activity or joke would get him back on track in no time. #dojochat
A4: so many different ones... fidgets, bouncy bands, visual schedules on desks, goal setting that focuses on ONE behavior at a time, etc etc totally depends on the student. #dojochat
@ClassDojo for positive reinforcement, sticker charts to teach desired behaviors, replacement behaviors are a must! (i.e. squeeze a stress ball instead of scratching their arm) #dojochat
@ClassDojo for positive reinforcement, sticker charts to teach desired behaviors, replacement behaviors are a must! (i.e. squeeze a stress ball instead of scratching their arm) #dojochat
A4: sometimes I’ll add specific behaviors to Dojo to award positive points (ex. Responding when spoken to, Initiating conversation, taking turns, etc). #dojochat
A5 So this is gross but SO worth it... a Chew Tag. It's like a dog tag but the student can feel the texture and chew on it to help him calm down. Keeps the fingers busy and the mouth sensation is gone! #dojochat
A5 LOVE those bands for around the chair legs, velcro under the desk, I also love the idea of weighted blankets but never actually used them so no idea if they're worth using in the classroom 🤷♀️ #dojochat
A5 So this is gross but SO worth it... a Chew Tag. It's like a dog tag but the student can feel the texture and chew on it to help him calm down. Keeps the fingers busy and the mouth sensation is gone! #dojochat
A5 So this is gross but SO worth it... a Chew Tag. It's like a dog tag but the student can feel the texture and chew on it to help him calm down. Keeps the fingers busy and the mouth sensation is gone! #dojochat
A5: This isn't sensory based per say - last year we made my student with Autism a motivational quotes book with pages to help him clam down as well - since his mom wrote it it was even that more special like a part of her was always there with him! #dojochat
A6 A student loved dinosaurs so I pulled out every stop for him with dinosaurs. We started with yes and no cards that were dinosaurs until he felt comfortable using his vocabulary. Sometimes a small roar meant the bathroom and that was OK with me! #dojochat
A6: I am trying to use the resources with pictures, social stories I think is the name... its been challenging because the family I have this year is recently diagnosed and they don't understand how their son works. So its been a training process #dojochat
And these: Kore Patented WOBBLE Chair, Made in the USA, Active Sitting for Toddler, Pre-School, Kids, and Teens; Kids don't have to sit still anymore - "The BEST seat in any Classroom"! - Blue - Kids (14in) https://t.co/lmFqHOKrYk#dojochat
A6: Go Talk app for ipad, Pictures from @boardmaker, I even had a student who could type but not talk message me on @ClassDojo when he wanted something #dojochat
A6: I always focus on their interests - when they know you love what they love and you can hook them on it - its amazing! This year my student loves Windows Computers, Mario, and #Mojo#dojochat
A7 Going from no eye contact, no interaction, to inviting me to outside of school activities and eye contact w smiles after I left the school ❤️ #dojochat
Q7: success story- my student went on his first field trip in his entire school career - he was finally comfortable. Had a few checking with Mom through day thanks to class dojo. #dojochat
A7: I had a student who was mainstreamed into my class for just 20 min a day last year. Mostly non-verbal and would never respond to me greeting him at the door. We never gave up and through lots of repetition and prompting, in June he started saying hi to me. #dojochat
A7: Last yr was my 1st encounter with my little guy who struggles a lot and such - it was hard but we developed a bond like NO other - at the end of the year we cried that I would not be his teacher this yr, he hugs me all the time & tells me I'm the best teacher ever! #dojochat
A7: I have a student who came to me and she didn't speak very much. now thanks to my other students (and me) she is so talkative that other teachers who don't even know her are amazed that she can talk and how much she talks. #dojochat
A7: I had a student who was mainstreamed into my class for just 20 min a day last year. Mostly non-verbal and would never respond to me greeting him at the door. We never gave up and through lots of repetition and prompting, in June he started saying hi to me. #dojochat
A7 continued: Honestly, my little guy is the best student and the more amazing kid I have ever met and now his mom and I look back on everything - our year together was meant to be - a blessing! #dojochat
He the just came out his shell and started initiating conversation with me and other children. Now he’s more likely to say hi to me first when I see him in the hall ❤️ #dojochat
A8: @ClassDojo helps me - #BigIdeas videos, communication with parents, ect.. also @GoNoodle has been super helpful too with moving and approaching learning with movement! #dojochat
A8: this is a graphic I use to squash the “why does ____ get _____ and I don’t????” I also use it as part of my back to school presentation to parents #dojochat
A8: Also, @ClassDojo#toolkit helps with giving them the structure they need - directions on the board, messages, groups, timers, and even the music - my little guy this year says daily, "I love CD music" and hums with it #dojochat
Thank you @I_teach_Pandas for an amazing #dojochat 💙 This is always the best day of the week, chatting with so many amazing, caring, educators... our hearts are full. Until next week #dojofam 🎉
