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“Autism Class”: Teaching Students in K-12 Autism Schools About Who They Are
The new student looks understandably full of questions. "Hi!" I say, intentionally gregarious. "What's your name?" Which we exchange...I then give them a sly facial expression and tone—we autistics are bad at reading non-verbal communication, but we usually live long enough to learn a thing...
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Vocational Skill Building Improves Transition Outcomes for Young Adults with Autism and Low Vision
For many young adults, the transition from school to adulthood is a time filled with excitement and new experiences. For those with disabilities, it can also present unique challenges. Moving from a supported educational environment and accessing adult services is a big leap. What predicts greater...
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Navigating the School-to-College Transition: A Guide for Families of Autistic Students
If you have an autistic child looking to progress into further education (FE) in the UK, chances are that you have felt abandoned by both their school and the prospective college. Whilst the transition from primary to secondary school may have seemed more informed and managed by the school, the...
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Supporting Children with Autism Through the Early Childhood to School-Age Special Education Transition
The transition from Preschool to Kindergarten is a significant milestone in any child’s life. For children with disabilities, however, particularly children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it can be particularly complex (Marsh et al., 2017). It is a season filled with mixed emotions:...
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A Special Education Adventure to Autonomy
I was that kid who couldn’t always focus well in class, and not mildly so, but in a way that interfered with my ability to blend in with society in a school setting. I would frequently miss instructions, not pick up on various learning cues and have difficulty processing many parts of concepts...
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Beyond Fun: How Summer Programs Build Executive Function, Social Confidence, and Independence
Summertime has so much potential. With more flexible schedules and a break from traditional classes, your student can focus on what matters most in their season of development. Autistic elementary age children and middle schoolers may benefit from additional focus on building or practicing social...
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Helping Autistic Students Stay Calm During School Lockdowns and Drills
Emergency drills, such as fire drills, lockdowns, and active shooter simulations, are an important part of school safety. But for students on the autism spectrum, these events can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming. The sudden loud noise, sensory overload, and unexpected changes can cause...
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From Exclusion to Belonging: Confronting Stigma Through Disability Education in Schools
Today’s classrooms are more neurodiverse than ever before. In the U.S., over 15% of public school students receive special education services (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024), and many more have diverse learning profiles that go unrecognized. Schools have made strides in...
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Behind the Behavior: Stigma, Misunderstanding, and the Emerging Profile of Pathological Demand Avoidance
“Stigma is the process by which the reaction of others spoils normal identity.” - Erving Goffman When a child resists instruction, lashes out under pressure, or refuses school altogether, the dominant narrative still points toward oppositional defiance, behavioral reinforcement systems, or a...
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Calm Minds, Ready to Learn: Empowering Children with Relaxation Training
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of challenges, particularly in social communication, sensory integration, and self-regulation. Children with ASD struggle to regulate sensory input: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, vestibular, and proprioceptive input. They also struggle to...
