Teaching Autism
I love to share activities, resources, classroom management, behavior management and, sensory ideas for autism and special education teachers and classrooms.
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I love to share activities, resources, classroom management, behavior management and, sensory ideas for autism and special education teachers and classrooms.
Special educational needs
Florence Nightingale Simplified Story
This simplified story is based on the story of Florence Nightingale. It includes 20 pages and the story has been simplified to be more engaging for students and easier for them to understand and follow the story of Florence Nightingale and everything that she achieved throughout her life.
Each mini-page, is half an actual page size, meaning you cut each page in half. I recommend laminating each page individually and then binding together to make a book - it’ll also make it stronger and longer lasting for you.
You can use this resource as a whole class story which you can read to your students, or print numerous copies and have them readily available for your students to read in your classroom library.
Another great way to use this resource is to introduce the book page by page each day/week and put together as a sequencing activity into student’s literacy books so that you can discuss each page more in-depth and have your students work on their sequencing skills.
This resource comes in colour/color or black and white option for your preference. It is also suitable for both UK and US readers i.e colour/color.
Who Poisoned the Princess? Crime Scene
This Princess crime scene activity pack is a great addition to your fairytale - or princess - topic. With this pack you will be able to create a crime scene where someone has poisoned the princess! Students have to investigate using the clues provided to find out who committed the crime out of 4 possible suspects.
This crime scene is designed to be interactive, engaging and adapted to suit students ability levels.
This crime scene includes the following activities;
• Taste
Something has been left behind for students to taste! (Toast) Students have to taste the item, decide what it is and then match it to the suspect who likes to eat it.
• Smell
Something has been left behind for students to smell! (Pepper) Students have to smell the item, decide what it is and then match it to the suspect who likes to smell this.
• Eye Witness Reports
Students need to read the 4 eye witness reports and pull important information from them. They then need to see if any of this information matches any of the suspects in the line up.
• Matching Fingerprints
Fingerprints have been left behind at the scene! Students need to look at the fingerprints and try and match them to the suspects footprints.
• Clue Book
Students put their clues into the clue book as they go along. This way they are able to keep track of all the clues they have found. This will help them when they need to make a decision on who they think has eaten the gingerbread man’s house.
• Wanted Poster
Once students have decided who they think the criminal is - they need to make the wanted poster to capture them! Students can either draw and write the criminal’s face and name onto the wanted poster or use the pictures and names we have included to cut and stick onto the wanted poster instead.
Your students will love taking part in this fun and interactive crime scene, especially during a busy time of year when it can be hard to keep them engaged. A teachers walkthrough is also included in the pack to help you put together the crime scene and use it to the best of its ability. I would also recommend trying out the crime scene before giving it to your students so that you are able to familiarize yourself with the way that it works.
This comes in both spelling options i.e color/colour, favorite/favourite etc.
Almost everything that you need to complete this crime scene is included in this pack. However, you will need access to carrots and pepper for students to taste/smell.
Body Parts Adapted Book
This body parts adapted book is a great way for students to work on learning about different parts of their body and being able to match the image symbol to the correct page.
This adapted book comes in both col and b/w option for your printing preference. This adapted book will be a great addition to your body unit.
This is a great way to encourage students to pay close attention to detail and to become more familiar with sentence structure and symbols.
The images included are;
• arm
• eye
• leg
• foot
• nose
• lips
• ear
• finger
• hand
Instructions
• Cut out, laminate and bind each of the pages together to make this into a book.
• Cut out and laminate each of the individual symbols.
• Print and laminate the base board (last page in PDF file)
• Put velcro onto the blank boxes on the pages in the adapted book and onto the back of the symbols. Also put velcro onto the base board.
• Store symbols on the base board. When students work their way through the book they will choose the symbol that they need from the base board and then put it onto the page in the adapted book.
The vocabulary is suitable for American or British classrooms. (Color, Colour etc.)
Yoga Movement Breaks Brain Breaks Cards
This resource includes 2 different styles of yoga movement breaks / brain breaks to be used for the classroom; flashcards or round toppers which can be put on top of pens/pencils/lollipop sticks etc.
Students can start to lose concentration if they are sat working at a desk/activity for a long period of time, so introduce some fun and jazz up your classroom with these fabulous yoga movement breaks to get your students engaged and focused again.
These can be introduced at whatever time interval you deem appropriate - either 10/15 minutes into a work session or first thing in the morning, after break, after lunch etc.You know your students best and you will be able to judge when is best for them.
You can either do all the movement breaks at once, or do one every so often throughout the day or even get students to come up the front and choose a movement break as a reward for good working etc.
Many researchers and education specialists have stated that movement breaks and physical activity are a great way to get children re-focused to sit back down for an activity.
These come in colour or black and white option.
Includes 40 different movement breaks.
3 Little Pigs Jigsaws
These jigsaw puzzles are a fun and hands-on addition to your 3 Little Pigs activities. Jigsaw puzzles are a great way for students to work on their concentration, attention to detail, fine motor and problem solving skills.
The jigsaws are differentiated into 4 different levels for you to use with your students as appropriate and all images on the jigsaws are linked to the theme of The 3 Little Pigs.
The jigsaws come in the following levels:
• 2 piece jigsaw
• 3 piece jigsaw
• 12 piece jigsaw
• 20 piece jigsaw
Each level comes with 11 different jigsaw puzzles.
Cut out each of the individual jigsaw pieces, laminate and you have a re-usable jigsaw puzzle to pull out at any time you need. Or cut out the individual pieces and have students stick them into their work books to build the image.
Each jigsaw comes in col and b/w option for your preference.
3 Little Pigs Shadow Matching Task Cards
These 3 Little Pigs themed task cards are a great way for students to work on their attention to detail skills by matching the shadows to their owners.
There are 15 different task cards included and they come in col option only - no b/w. There are 2 task cards per page.
Students have to choose 1 out of 3 possible answers to match the image to their shadow.
There are instructions included on the front page of the document. I recommend cutting them out individually and then laminating them, this will make them stronger and longer lasting - meaning you can use them over and over again.
All images related to 3 Little Pigs theme.
Going to Hairdressers Social Story
This social story is a great read for students who may need some support with going to the Hairdressers. A lot of children struggle with going to the hair dressers, it may cause them anxiety and they may not even understand why they are going there or what to expect - mostly worried about not knowing what's going to happen. Hopefully, this social story will help encourage your child(ren)/students to go their to the Hairdressers, and also help promote independence.
Many students with autism are visual learners and like to learn through seeing something in action. This book comes complete with matching, simple yet engaging graphics to help describe what is being said on the page.
Comes in col option only - no b/w availability, however you can print in grayscale.
Pages included are;
♦ Today I am going to the hair salon.
♦ I will sit in a big chair.
♦ I can choose a hair style to have. - boy
♦ I can choose a hair style to have. - girl
♦ The stylist will brush my hair.
♦ The stylist will use scissors to cut my hair.
♦ The stylist can also use trimmers to cut my hair.
♦ The hair stylist will only cut off how much I want.
♦ I can have my hair washed and cleaned.
♦ The stylist will dry my hair for me.
♦ The stylist can use hairspray to keep my hair in style.
♦ I can have my hair dyed in the salon.
♦ The stylist can use straighteners or curlers on my hair,
I recommend printing out each of the individual pages, laminating them and then binding them into a book so it will be easier for students to read - or be read to, as well as being stronger and longer lasting. You can use only the pages that you feel most relevant.
UK Coin Recognition Task Cards
This resource contains 40 task cards related to the theme of UK money. These task cards are a great way for students to work on their money recognition skills.Please note that this resource only contains UK coins/money.
There are 4 task cards per page, I recommend cutting these out individually and laminating so that they will be stronger, longer lasting and re-usable throughout the School year.
This comes with instructions on the first page for you to be able to get the most out of this resource.
The task cards come in col and bw for your preference.
The task cards come in different ability levels enabling you to differentiate to individual abilities;
♦ individual coin recognition - choose correct answer from 3
♦ adding up 2 coins
♦ adding up 4 coins
♦ writing individual coin value
Having a Bath Social Story
This social story is a great read for students who may need some support with having a bath. A lot of children struggle with having a bath, it may cause them anxiety and they may not even understand why they are having one. Hopefully, this social story will help encourage your child(ren)/students to have a bath, and also help promote independence.
Many students with autism are visual learners and like to learn through seeing something in action. This book comes complete with matching, simple yet engaging graphics to help describe what is being said on the page.
Comes in col option only - no b/w availability, however you can print in grayscale.
Pages included are;
♦ It is important to keep my body clean.
♦ When I am clean, I smell nice.
♦ Some people like to bath in the morning.
♦ Some people like to bath in the night.
♦ First, I have to put the plug in the bath.
♦ Then, turn on the tap to start the water.
♦ I can add some bubble bath.
♦ When the bath gets full I have to turn the tap off.
♦ I can play with toys in the bath.
♦ I use soap to wash my body.
♦ I use shampoo and conditioner to clean my hair.
♦ When I’m clean, I use a towel to dry myself.
♦ Then, I put on some clean clothes.
♦ I can use a hairdryer to dry my hair.
♦ Now that I am clean, I smell lovely!
I recommend printing out each of the individual pages, laminating them and then binding them into a book so it will be easier for students to read - or be read to, as well as being stronger and longer lasting. You can use only the pages that you feel most relevant.
St David's Day Yes / No Questions
This resource contains 22 different task cards giving students the choice of two answers - yes or no - to the question at the top. Each task card contains 1 question, 1 image and 2 answers.
The task cards are all in the theme of St David’s Day. (The Welsh holiday on March 1st)
These task cards come in col and b/w option for your preference.
They are a great way to encourage students to pay attention to detail, the image that they are looking at and to answer appropriately.
I recommend cutting out each card individually and laminating so that they will be stronger and longer lasting. Students can complete with a dry wipe pen or a peg so that they can be used again.
Autism Morning Work Book
This activity includes a morning work book in two different difficulty levels and an editable PPT and Keynote file for you to create and add your own symbols/answers to be included with the easier option.
A morning work book is a great way to encourage students to settle down and prepare them for the day ahead. It provides them with a consistent morning routine when used everyday and they know what to expect.
This book will target some general day-to-day life skill questions that your students will hopefully begin to master with regular use.
There are 3 different types of covers for the morning work books included for you to use as you wish.
There are two difficulty levels included to differentiate for different student individual work levels. The harder work book is where students are able to write their answers - writing lines are provided. The easier work book is where students are able to place symbol cards into the boxes as their answers.
★ If students are not yet at this level please see my easier level good morning greeting book please click here ★
The pages included are;
♦ All About Me
My name, my age, my eyes, my hair, my School, my teacher.
♦ My Family
I live in, I live with, I have _ sister(s), I have _ brother(s), my family's names are.
♦ Where I Live
My address is, the country I live in is.
♦ Today
The day, the month, the season, the year, the date (harder book only for date).
♦ The Weather
What is the weather like today? What should we wear?
♦ My Clothes
What col clothes am I wearing today?
The PDF first page is instructions on how to get the best use out of this book.
Getting Dressed Social Story
This social story is a great read for students who may need some support with getting dressed. A lot of children struggle with understanding why they need to get dressed, it may cause them anxiety and they may not even understand why they need to do it. Hopefully, this social story will help encourage your child(ren)/students to get dressed, and also help promote independence.
Many students with autism are visual learners and like to learn through seeing something in action. This book comes complete with matching, simple yet engaging graphics to help describe what is being said on the page.
Comes in col option only - no b/w availability, however you can print in grayscale.
Pages included are;
♦ I have to get dressed before I go out.
♦ First, I have to find my clothes.
♦ I need to find socks and put them on my feet.
♦ I need to find some pants and put them on.
♦ I need to find a skirt and put it on.
♦ I might have to do up a zip or a button.
♦ I need to find a top, I put this on too.
♦ I need to find my shoes, and put them on my feet.
♦ Once I am dressed I am ready to go out!
♦ If it’s raining I should wear a coat and umbrella.
♦ If it’s really cold, I should wear a hat, scarf and gloves to keep me warm.
I recommend printing out each of the individual pages, laminating them and then binding them into a book so it will be easier for students to read - or be read to, as well as being stronger and longer lasting. You can use only the pages that you feel most relevant.
Conversation Prompt Task Cards Social Skills
This resource includes 104 different prompt cards to help and encourage students to make conversation.
Conversation is a hard skill for our students to master, especially when trying to start one. These prompt cards help to break the ice and encourage your students to feel more supported and confident when starting a conversation. A conversation helps to build relationships between students or even staff. It's also a great way for you to find out more about your students in class - especially if you have many shy students who usually struggle to keep a conversation flowing.
The cards are bright and fun to keep students engaged throughout the activity.
The prompt cards come in b/w and col. option as well as with UK and US spelling options.
These are fantastic for prompting students to start conversations with each other, especially for morning work, social skills groups etc.
Fine Motor Skills Task Cards, Pre Handwriting
These fine motor skill tracing task cards are a great way to encourage students some engaging fine motor skill practice. This pack includes 53 different task cards. Each task card includes one type of fine motor/pre handwriting skill.
Each page comes with 4 task cards on, I recommend printing them out and cutting them individually. Laminate them to prolong the use of them - you will be able to use them over and over.
These are great to help students improve their handwriting/fine motor skills/pen control. Set them up ready then store them away, ready to pull out whenever you need them. These are great time fillers or extras for your literacy centres.
Christmas Wh- Questions, Adapted Book
This Christmas themed wh- question adapted book is a great way for students to work on their wh- questions in an adapted and suitable way. Students read the short sentence at the top of the page and find the appropriate and matching symbol to answer the comprehension question.
Comes in col and b/w option for your preference.
This is great for a Spec Ed or Autism Classroom / working with Spec Ed or students with Autism. It’s a great way to encourage students to pay close attention to deal, become more familiar with sentence structure and symbols.
The vocabulary is suitable for American or British classrooms. (Color, Colour etc.)
All images/vocabulary is linked to the theme of Christmas.
Mailing a Letter, Sequencing Adapted Book
This adapted book is a great way for students to work on their sequencing skills but also to give them the knowledge and understanding of how to mail a letter - a very important life skill which can be hard for many of our students to master. This adapted book goes through each of the steps required to mail a letter, and help to promote independence during this routine.
Students have to read - or be read - the sentence on top of the page and then find the matching symbol that matches the sentence. This a great way to start having your students understand what they are reading/listening to and taking in the information. Students can then process this information and find the relevant symbol that fits with what is happening in the current situation.
Comes in col and b/w option for your preference.
This is great for a Spec Ed or Autism Classroom / working with Spec Ed or students with Autism. It’s a great way to encourage students to pay close attention to deal, become more familiar with sentence structure and symbols.
Wh Questions for Speech Therapy Adapted Book Camping
Do your students struggle to answer wh questions? Are you looking for hands-on activities for your students to work on their wh questions and sentence building skills? If so, this camping themed wh question adapted book is perfect to use in your special education classroom or speech therapy sessions.
Students read - or be read - the short sentence at the top of the page and find the appropriate and matching symbol to answer the wh- question.
Adapted books are a great way for students to work on a range of skills in an adapted, engaging and hands-on way.
The vocabulary is suitable for American or British classrooms. (Color, Colour etc.)
All images/vocabulary is linked to the theme of camping.
Life Skills Adapted Work Folder - Australian
This resource contains an adapted work folder that targets a range of different life skills for your students.
★ 20 activities included. ★
This resource also comes with 2 different levels for the grocery shopping/payment pages as well as girl/boy options for some pages.
This resource comes in both spelling options of colour and color. It comes with different PDFs to suit a variety of different countries (mainly because of the coins used when purchasing food in the grocery store)
This resource is suitable for AUSTRALIAN students.
The activities included in this folder are;
♦ Writing/Spelling name
♦ Doing the laundry
Putting dirty washing and detergent into the washing machine, transferring clothes from washing machine onto the washing line, then off the washing line and into the basket
♦ Matching socks
♦ Putting items away - kitchen v garden
♦ Grocery shopping - 2 different levels
Finding items on your shopping list, taking them off the shelves and into your trolley. Then paying for them at the end by choosing the correct coins from your purse.
♦ Recycling - recycle cardboard into the green bin and food into the white bin
♦ Building a face - boy and girl option
♦ Label the body
♦ Brush teeth
Put pen on the teeth then rub off with toothbrush
♦ Wash face
Put pen on face, then wipe off with baby wipes/wet cloth
♦ Wash hands
Put pen on hands, then wipe off with baby wipes/wet cloth
♦ Dressing kids for weather - cold/hot option boy/girl option
♦ Set the table
Put fork, knife, spoon and plate into correct places on the table
If there are any life skills activities that you feel could be added to this folder, then please get in touch and I'll be happy to try and help you.
Animal Life Cycle Puzzles
This resource includes 5 different animal life cycle puzzles where students have to match together the different animal life cycles. Simply cut out each of the jigsaw pieces and laminate (this will keep them strong and longer lasting and students match the parts of the life cycle to the correct animals.
Animals included are:
♦ ant
♦ butterfly
♦ chicken
♦ frog
♦ turtle
Each puzzle comes with 4 pieces. Each puzzle piece has an image and the name of that image below it.
A fun activity that is a great way to introduce or practice life cycles.
Bundle
Special Education / Autism Classroom Set Up Pack
This is a bundle of autism / spec ed resources from my store that will be great to help you set up your new autism / special education classroom or just to update it and introduce some new strategies. Each resource comes with instructions so you are able to implement them and use them in the best possible way in your classroom!
We use these within our classroom every year and they work wonders with our students, so I am able to personally recommend you these resources and know that you will find them just as helpful in your classroom!
This bundle includes;
♦ I Am Working For Board
This reward system is a great way to keep students focused and engaged on their task, they'll have a visual to show what they are working for and also how much more they have to do to achieve it!
♦ Good Morning Greeting Book
Have you ever found it so hard to get students ready in the mornings to start their work day? These Good Morning books are a great way to fix a morning routine to help ease your students into their day.
♦ Good Afternoon Greeting Book
Afternoons can be so crazy busy, especially if your students have been outside running around! Settling back down to do work can be a really difficult task, so these Good Afternoon books are a great way to help your students regain their focus and settle back into their work routine. Having this take place every afternoon will introduce a solid routine for your students and they will know what to expect.
♦ Year Round Editable Newsletters
If your classroom is as busy as any other Spec Ed class, then you'll find having time to keep families up to date with all the goings on can be really hard work! These editable newsletters are themed year round and can be so quick to put together. It also means that you can email AND print to send home to families just in case! It's a great way to add in little reminders too!
♦ Conversation Prompt Cards
It can be really hard for students to try and build conversations and relationships with others in their class. These conversation prompt cards are a great way to encourage students and help them think up new conversation ideas to help improve their social skills.
♦ Communication Book
If you have students who are non verbal or have limited speech then these communication books will be a great asset in your class. Once put together, they can be hung up or stored away in a place where the student is able to learn to independently get their book when needed. Having difficulties communicating can be a huge trigger for some students, so having this communication aide set up for them will be a huge help to them and can also help to improve their independence!
♦ Behavior/Behaviour Story
A lot of students learn best through visuals and stories. This visual story book is a great way to help students think about their behaviour/behavior and how it will affect others around them.
♦ Class Timeline/Schedule Cards
Transition and wondering what is coming next can be a huge burden for some students and get them very anxious. By providing a timeline of the day, students are able to visually see what is happening that day, what's coming next and what they can expect. It will reduce the 'unknown' for them and also the fear that comes with that.
♦ Supporting Autism & Spec Ed Walkthrough
This 66 page walkthrough is packed full of literally everything you can imagine to help make your class more suitable for the students. There are so many great ideas including visuals, reward systems, symbols, sensory toys, behaviour/behavior management, iPad apps and so much more.
♦ Home to School Liaison Book
The contact between Home/School is vital to help your students with their day to day life. It will keep both of you informed with how the student is doing and if there are any major things going on in their life at the moment. It will also help you to build a stronger relationship with those involved with the home life of the student. This will help you all work together to help the student get the most out of their life and to really help push and motivate them to achieve their best.
♦ Traffic Light Behaviour/Behavior Posters
This traffic light system has proved to be a big hit in many classrooms. You can set it up whichever way you like - it could be for behaviours/behaviors or noise levels etc. It's a great way for students to visually see what you are thinking and how the classroom/student are doing right now.
♦ First, Then Visual Boards & Symbols
This pack comes with a variety of different boards in 2 different levels as well as over 60 symbol cards! This is a great resource to help your students cope and to provide them with a visual of what is expected over a short period of time - also to encourage them should a 'choice' or 'reward' activity be coming up.
♦ Hitting / My Hands Social Story
This social story is a great read for students who may need some support with hitting. A lot of children hit others as a sign of frustration, anxiety, pain etc. - sometimes we may even find no explanation for why they are hitting but hopefully this social story will help reduce hitting behaviours.
♦ Biting / My Mouth Social Story
This social story is a great read for students who may need some support with biting. A lot of children bite others as a sign of frustration, anxiety, pain etc. - sometimes we may even find no explanation for why they are biting but hopefully this social story will help reduce biting behaviours.