Executive function is an umbrella term used to describe a set of cognitive skills we use to successfully navigate everyday life. We rely on them to learn, achieve goals, manage emotions, pay attention, organize, plan, and adapt to our environment. While everyone must learn and develop executive functioning skills throughout their life, people with autism often struggle with executive function, requiring accommodations and explicit instruction in order to thrive.
Tag: school
Social Skills and Autism
Social skills are a person’s ability to effectively interact and communicate with others through our words, actions, and body language. Thus, how we adapt to social situations and interactions rely on social skills. Social skills are learned over time but are not always automatic. Consequently, people with autism often need explicit instruction to learn appropriate […]
IEP Transition Planning
One of the core objectives of IDEA is to prepare students for further education, employment, and independent living after high school. IEP transition services fulfill this objective, and the law requires them to begin the year the student turns 16 years old. This is an exciting time when students become part of the IEP team. […]
New School Year Checklist
Get your child with autism ready for an exceptional start to the new year! Download our FREE “About Me” student information form and use this guide as a new school year “checklist” with tips and ideas to set your child up for school success!
Independent Assessments
In order to develop effective goals with your child’s team, you need to know what their strengths and areas of need are. You can determine each by conducting assessments. Assessment is the formal process where professionals analyze data to measure knowledge and skills. While schools perform assessments on a regular basis, there may come a […]
Therapeutic and Communication Options for Speech Issues in Autism
Providing your child with an effective means to communicate their thoughts, opinions, experiences, feelings, and knowledge is essential to creating a meaningful life for them. While it’s true that navigating speech issues in autism can be challenging, it is important to remember that challenging does NOT mean impossible. Furthermore, you don’t have to navigate these […]
Risk Reduction Strategies for Physical and Sexual Abuse
Having autism brings unique challenges to keeping our children safe and protected. The following information provides a summary of key considerations concerning elopement, water safety and drowning, pica and household toxins, interactions with first responders, and internet safety.
Homeschooling Your Child with Autism
More parents of children with autism are opting to homeschool for a variety of reasons. In this article, you will information about homeschooling your child with autism, including: pros and cons to homeschooling, curriculum options, how to ensure your child has access to social opportunities, and sample schedules. Requirements for Homeschooling State law regulates homeschooling, […]
Inclusion
The goals on your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) lay the framework for their education, but what makes a good goal?
Special Education Conflict Resolution: Mediation and Due Process
SMART IEP Goals
The goals on your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) lay the framework for their education, but what makes a good goal?
The Fundamentals of Special Education: What Parents Need to Know
In this article, Timothy A. Adams, Esq. discusses what parents need to know about the fundamentals of special education so they can better advocate for their children throughout the IEP process. Federal law defines special education as specifically designed instruction, at no cost to the parent, designed to meet the unique needs of a child […]
Special Education: IEP Tips
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is the foundation to your child’s education. Many parents feel overwhelmed and anxious about these meetings. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Below, you will find IEP tips to help you successfully navigate the Special Education process, including: basic information about the members of an IEP and what to do before, during, and after IEP meetings to help maximize your child’s services.
Tips for Including Dietary Restrictions in Your Child’s IEP
When your child is on a special diet for medical reasons, getting the correct wording into your child’s IEP is very important to minimize dangerous infractions. What parents must provide Parents must get a letter from their doctor stating that for medical reasons, your child cannot have certain foods (which must be listed). The letter […]
Back to School Links
Back to School Links Yes, it’s that time of year again. We’ve organized all of our Back To School links in one easy place for you! IEP and Special Ed Basics http://tacanow.org/family-resources/getting-ready-for-advocacy/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/closing-the-iep-deal/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/ideas-on-hiring-paying-for-a-special-education-attorney/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/special-education-tips-links/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/independent-assessments/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/presentation-special-education-advocacy/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/upcoming-legal-seminars/ http://tacanow.org/blog/the-real-cost-of-special-education-considering-the-return-on-investment/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/teens-with-asd-testing/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/the-back-to-school-assignment-for-parents-of-special-needs-kids/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/fundamentals-of-special-education/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/getting-staying-organized/ Partners in Policymaking Online Classes Allergies and IEPs http://tacanow.org/family-resources/tips-for-including-dietary-restrictions-in-your-child%E2%80%99s-iep/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/an-essential-handout-for-teachers-aides/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/gfcfsf-school-supplies/ http://tacanow.org/family-resources/must-schools-provide-casein-and-gluten-free-foods/ […]
Inclusion: A Journey So Far & Lessons Learned
By Lisa Ackerman Inclusion – the process of taking a special needs individual and including them in a typical education setting – is a tough, delicate, and extremely complex subject to address. Each situation is unique to the child as well as the desired setting – which can change year to year. This statement can […]
An Essential Handout For Teachers & Aides
Authors Mary Fry, Diane Gallant & Moira Giammetteo What Is the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free (GFCF) Diet? This is a dietary intervention to lessen the digestive and bowel, and behavioral issues sometimes found in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent research indicates that there are children with a genetic predisposition to the disorder, which is then […]
Getting Ready for School
This article is from the website of Dr. Paula Kluth. It, along with many others on inclusive schooling, differentiated instruction, and literacy can be found at www.PaulaKluth.com. Visit now to read her Tip of the Day, read dozens of free articles, and learn more about supporting diverse learners in K-12 classrooms. *** Transition Tips for Students […]
Closing the IEP Deal
Closing the IEP Deal: A Streets-Smart Approach to Negotiating Your Child’s IEP (PDF) By Mary Romaniec
Presentation: Inclusion for Students with Autism
Presentation: Inclusion for Students with Autism August 2006 By Cathy Beier Download the PDF version of the presentation here.
