How do you eat an elephant? (Or. . . little tools for autism success)

Are you searching for autism success? I’ll bet you’ve heard the question, “How do you eat an elephant?”  Of course, the answer is, “One bite at a time.” Next question.  “How do you achieve success with your students with autism or ADHD or others with “wiggle” challenges?”  The answer is, “There’s not just one answer.” Have you ever played this game? Sometimes working with our students with special learning needs can feel a bit like the arcade game Whack-a-Mole.  I’ll bet you have seen it.  A head pops out of a hole and you whack it with a mallet. Then two heads pop out and you hit them. You just get rid of one and more keep coming. Trying to meet the challenges of some of our students can feel like that game. You try to solve one problem and two more seem to erupt. We need tools in the toolbox A wise teacher or therapist needs tools and options.  The problem is that the solution that worked so well for us yesterday might feel useless today. That’s why we need lots of tools to choose from. I love these I just found Bouncy Bands. Have you ever tried them? They’re great tools for helping contain that extra energy that can fill a typical classroom. The funny thing is that they are not age specific. High schoolers can benefit as much as elementary students. The Wobble Chair is a simple tool to help wiggly kids focus and stay on task. Here’s a quick video Our students on the autism spectrum achieve greater success when we address their movement and sensory needs. Lots of other students benefit from the same types of adjustments to the “typical” classroom environment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkjYXhGpc3I Here's my question Are we structuring our classrooms for student success?  
 

Related Posts

Autism Screen Time

Technology has opened much opportunity for students, but we seem to have even more questions about safety of autism screen time.Does too much screen time matter for young children (especially neurodivergent kids: autism, ADHD and related special learning needs)? Screens are everywhere now — in our pockets, our cars, our kitchens. And for many young

Read More

Beyond the Autism-Tylenol Headlines

The Autism – Tylenol Headlines have filled the news recently. Research to learn more is always helpful. But there’s an important point that has been missed in the discussion so far.It’s all about educationSupporting autistic students requires action in classrooms, not just debate about causes. While studies continue and scientists seek clarity, one truth remains undeniable:

Read More

Laminating Pictures: Skip the Laminator

There are some simple, easy alternatives to laminating pictures for your classroom visuals. Busy teachers and classroom staff will love these quick options. Teachers love laminators. It’s probably more accurate to say they love having their visual tools laminated to preserve them from kids who are very creative in their ability to chew, bend, rip

Read More

Autistic Students: Are We Teaching What They Really Need?

Autistic Students: What Happens When Our Teaching Doesn’t Match What Kids Really Need? Question: Why do we keep teaching phonics to children who don’t yet understand what words mean? Question: Why do we expect kids to sit still and focus when their bodies are begging to move? Question: Why do we push reading and math goals when

Read More