School-Based Behavior Support: From Whack-a-Mole to a System
“The loudest classroom gets the help.” If you work in school-based behavior support, you may recognize the pattern. The next student added to the caseload is not always the student with the greatest need. It may be the concern that arrived in an urgent email, the teacher who caught you in the hallway, or the […]
How to Prepare for Back to School as a Special Education Teacher (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)
Back-to-school organization tips, IEP systems, parent communication ideas, and behavior supports for special education teachers. Every August Feels the Same… You finally start catching your breath after summer. Then suddenly… Your caseload changes. You realize you have an annual IEP due the second week of school. A reevaluation is coming up sooner than you remembered. […]
When Everyone Is “Autistic,” No One Is Listening
When “Autism by TikTok” Is Hurting People Who Need Support There’s a growing wave of online content declaring autism diagnoses for anyone who “relates.” And as both a parent and a professional clinician, I think we need to hit pause and get real about what autism actually is. I’m the parent of a 29-year-old autistic […]
Tylenol and Autism: What Does the Research Actually Say?
Have you heard the latest on Tylenol and autism? In the past week, headlines have exploded after political figures like Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy could cause autism. As educators, parents, and professionals who support children with autism, it’s important to pause and ask: what does […]
Building Storytelling Skills from Single Words to Shared Moments
“How was your weekend?”“What happened in the story we read?”“Can you tell me about your morning?” These are simple questions that many adults take for granted—but for our students, especially those in speech therapy, ELL programs, or with language delays, answering them can be surprisingly difficult. Personal narrative and story retell are more than just […]
Teaching Conversation Turn-Taking: From First Comments to Real Talk
Building conversation turn‑taking skills is essential for early language learners, yet it doesn’t always come naturally. With intentional support, students can progress from simple comments to meaningful back-and-forth exchanges—all while practicing WH questions and growing their social communication. You might also like! Build Conversation Skills with a 20 Questions Game Contingent and Observation Statements A […]
Are Autism Social Stories Right for your Early Learner?
One of the most common questions I get from teachers—especially those working with early emerging or non-verbal learners—is: “Are your autism social stories a good fit for my classroom?” Recently, Sharon, a preschool special education teacher, reached out with this very concern. Her class includes students who are mostly non-verbal, with some emerging verbal skills. […]
Build Conversation Skills with This Fun 20 Questions Game for Speech Therapy and Early Learners
Looking for a fun and functional way to build reciprocal conversation and support expressive and receptive language? This 20 Questions Game for speech therapy or special education is perfect for early learners, autism support, and anyone working on social communication goals. In this interactive activity, students pick a familiar item from a visual board (think: […]
Editable Trading Cards – Social Emotional Learning Activities for Autism That Build Classroom Superstars
Looking for social emotional learning activities for autism? A way to boost student confidence, track behavior, and build a strong classroom community—all while keeping things fun and functional? Let me introduce you to one of my favorite editable social emotional learning activities for autism and preschool: character trading cards! Don’t miss these ideas, too! ABCs […]
Teaching Conversation Skills for Autism: Helping Students Make Contingent and Observation Statements
Why Do Some Students Struggle with Conversation Skills? Communication is essential for learning, socializing, and daily interactions. However, many special education teachers, BCBAs, and speech therapists struggle with teaching conversation skills for autism in natural settings. Learners may answer questions briefly but find it difficult to expand on ideas or keep a conversation going. For […]
Data Collection for IEP Goals: A Guide to Streamlining Progress Monitoring
This week, we enjoy a guest post by my podcast partner-in-crime, Caitlin Beltran, M.Ed., BCBA with Beltran’s Behavior Basics. Don’t forget to check her out! Great resources! Accurate and consistent data collection for IEP goals is at the heart of effective special education practices. It is a critical tool that helps us understand student progress, […]
5 Strategies for Teaching Feature, Function, and Class in Special Education
Teaching feature, function, and class in special education (FFC) is a key part of language development, especially for students with autism and other communication challenges. These foundational skills help learners understand relationships between objects, their purposes, and their categories—critical for building vocabulary, receptive identification, and conversation skills. Here are five strategies to make teaching FFC […]
Managing Paraprofessionals in Special Education
Building Teamwork, Accountability, and Clear Boundaries Working with and managing paraprofessionals in special education (paras) is an essential part of running a successful classroom. Paras are the backbone of our programs, providing invaluable support to students. However, managing and leading a team of adults can come with its own set of challenges, right? In a […]
5 Tips for Teaching Personal Information Wh Questions Skills to Special Education Students
Why are personal information WH questions important? Imagine this: Your child is at the park and gets separated from you. A kind stranger asks, ‘What’s your name?’ — can they answer? What about, ‘What’s your phone number?’ or ‘Where do you live?’ For young language learners and special education students, answering personal information WH questions […]
Why Teaching Animal Sounds Supports Speech, Language, and Social Skills Development
Why Teaching Animal Sounds to Preschoolers and Special Education Students is a Great Idea Teaching animal sounds to preschoolers and special education students are a common thing to do, but they also pack a big punch when it comes to early development! Whether you’re a teacher, speech therapist, or parent, incorporating animal sounds into your […]