Summer vacation for autism is a little like getting new computer software. Did you ever get something new that was not what you expected? Let me tell you my story. . . I realize that some of you computer geeks would actually love to get a new program. New software is like an adrenaline rush. […]
If you know me very well, you know that I am passionate about using pictures and other visual supports to enhance communication, especially for our students with special learning needs like autism. There are a million reasons why. But all pictures are not the same Here’s my story I purchased a new vacuum last night. […]
Autism and behavior challenges. It’s so easy to become totally dominated by trying to manage the challenging behaviors that it can feel like being constantly on the defensive rather than on a path toward a positive, successful situation. Here’s an example While communicating with a Speech Pathologist recently, the following information was shared about a […]
I admit. . . I’m a fan of HGTV. Watching Chip & Joanna fix up homes to create wonderful transformations is a favorite. They often talk about homes that have “good bones.” Did you know classrooms are a bit like that? A new school year guarantees changes in a student’s life. Some changes may be […]
Have you ever thought. . . “That last big meltdown with a student on the autism spectrum didn’t need to happen.” Or even if it was just a little explosion, it probably could have been avoided. Ever wish for a “do-over?” You’re not alone. We’ve all been there at some time. (And probably more than […]
Note from Linda. I met Angela many years ago, not long after my first book, Visual Strategies for Improving Communication, was published. I had a book about using visual strategies (pictures) to help students with communication and Angela had a company that produced lots and lots of pictures to help teachers and therapists help students […]
I took part in a conversation recently related to a school staff who needed to deal with autism behavior problems. The challenge was that they had “pre-determined” that they did not want to use visual strategies. What? In my experience, people who reject visual strategies (especially if they reject right up front) are those who […]
Communication is one of the core areas of challenge for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Lots of students with other diagnoses have communication challenges, too. When we focus on communication problems, the easiest part to pay attention to is the student’s ability to talk. Here are the questions: Does he talk? Is she non-verbal? […]
I was consulting with Eric’s family last week. Things are not going well. Parent-teacher conferences reveal that his behavior is getting worse. His participation in the classroom is not good. Teacher is getting worn out. Here is their concern What parents are really worried about is that the teacher is going to “give up.” They […]
I was doing a workshop recently and asked for some feedback from the group. One of the participants commented, “Well, I just got a swift kick in the b___.” Really? We started to talk. She’s a “believer” in visual strategies. She uses them. But what she realized during the course of the workshop is that […]
