Tag Archives: special education

SPED support strategies

4 FREE digital downloads for SPED Inclusion Supports

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As I wrap up a term teaching SPED inclusion strategies, I wanted to share and showcase a few free resources that some of my wonderful college students created to promote SPED inclusion in their future classrooms. They have given permission to share these resources for FREE so teachers everywhere can have access to them!

IEP snapshot

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/IEP-Snapshot-FREE-6723498

SPED individual student information one page profile

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SPED-Individual-Student-Information-One-Page-Profile-FREE-6714055

Uncode the Jargon Free Infographic

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Uncode-the-Jargon-FREE-infographic-6654198

Five Main Components of the IEP

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/5-main-components-of-the-IEP-infographic-FREE-6591650

Thank you to the students Nick, Emily, Miguel and Raelyn for giving permission to share these digital downloads as free resources so many teachers and special educators can use them!

Please sign up to follow my teachers pay teachers site! My goal is to share great resources and spread my passion for inclusion through education and resources!

Click Here to Follow Sarah’s Teachers Pay Teachers

Thanks for visiting my blog and for being an inclusive educator,

Sarah

5 main components of the IEP

5 parts of the IEP

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5 parts of the IEP

I created this video for pre-service teachers who are new to the IEP process. It can also be beneficial for parents who are also new to the process.

Thanks for watching and for being an inclusive educator,

Sarah

*infographic created by current Masters student Nick Maytanes 

He has given permission to allow all teachers to download a free copy here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/5-main-components-of-the-IEP-infographic-6591650

Parents as change makers in the history of special education inclusion.

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On this MLK weekend, I would like to honor the heros of inclusion and the work parents have done. Tireless effort over the years have created change and much of the credit is due to families of students with special needs. If you are a parent of a child with special needs you are my hero! Please watch this brief history of special education which started with exclusion and ends with inclusion. Lets keep advocating on behalf of our most precious and valuable students and know how far we have come!

See video for details:

Respectfully,

Sarah

How to give constructive input in the IEP process: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Parent-Input-form-for-the-IEP-meeting-4864867

crop kids doing homework together

Support for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in English Language Arts (ELA)

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crop kids doing homework together
Student learning to write

Video Lecture on Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in English Language Arts (ELA)

Thanks for watching,

Please leave feedback!

Where to start! Teaching students with Autism: Foundational Evidence Based Practices (EBPs)

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When we look at high quality interventions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), we want to learn the foundational SIX EBPs first! When teachers are able to intervene and use strategies with fidelity, students have better outcomes!

This is one of my new lectures that I am posting here. I hope to empower and teach new teachers and parents.

I would love to hear how you are able to incorporate these foundational interventions into your work with students!

Respectfully,

Sarah

My Special Interest Social Story

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SIA= Special Interest Area

Definition: SIAs are often solitary pursuits or preoccupations that dominate the person’s time, attention, and conversation

Benefits of Special Interest Areas for students with Autism

  • Improves academic skills: high motivation in SIA
  • Supports communication:develop advanced vocabulary
  • Improves self-confidence:student becomes “expert” in this area
  • Helps reduce anxiety: more relaxed and fewer meltdowns
  • Intrinsic engagement: instrisic motivation and engagement
  • Increased social engagement: when SIA is included into treatment plans
  • Executive functioning:improved focus on SIA 

My Special Interest Social Social Story

Although there are many benefits to SIAs, sometimes kids need to take a break from them to focus on something else. The social story teaches how to re-focus then go back to the SIA when done learning something new.

I created a social story to help kids with autism understand their special interest area.

Here is a sneak peak at the story:

The first part of the story defines and shares the benefits of a SIA:

The book asks the reader what they like. The story then goes on to discuss the need to sometimes “pause” the SIA to learn something new.

A free first-then schedule is included in this social story! You can laminate or use a plastic page protector and use a wet erase marker to write on it.

Get the story here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/My-Special-Interest-Social-Story-5517826

With love and respect,

Sarah

sarahrazzano@yahoo.com

Countdown visual for help with homework

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This countdown visual is an example of how a visual can show the learner exactly how many items or tasks needs to be completed. Countdown visual supports can be used for any multi-step task.

How to use

  • Print in full color on card stock. laminate and use velcro to help the numbers stay down when tasks are completed.
  • Start with all five numbers showing. You can modify this if you only have a couple of tasks that need to be completed.
  • Have the learners pre-determine what they want to work for.
  • As pages of the homework are complete, have the learner put numbers down to count down.
  • Eventually all of the numbers will be put down and the learner can earn their pre-determined reward.

Visual support for autism

Visual Support is one of the 27 Evidence Based Practices identified by the The National Professional Development Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder (NPCASD). https://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/national-professional-development-center-autism-spectrum-disorder

Please watch this video showing how to use this strategy to help complete homework…

He had five pages to complete so we started with all 5 tabs open.

Thank you for reading and following my blog and YouTube channel.

Sarah

Reference:

Parent input form for IEP meeting

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Parent input form
Find the Parent Input For IEP Meeting form here

Attending an IEP meeting as a parent can be overwhelming and intimidating. At every meeting, parents have a chance to give input. As a teacher, I have seen parents who on the spot, are not able to express their child’s strengths and challenges.

The graphic organizer I created helps parents plan ahead of time what they want to share. The document includes a section to write in strengths, concerns and remedies.

Teachers can give this form to parents to fill out before the IEP meeting to help them organize their thoughts.

What are some ways you have shared your concerns with the child’s IEP team meeting?

Please follow the link to the TPT store to find the free downloadable form