Helping Autistic Students Stay Calm During School Lockdowns and Drills

• By: Sajeeta Dhungana, MA, BCBA All Star ABA
• September 15th, 2025
• anxiety, emotional well-being, Fall 2025 Issue, family collaboration, fire drills, inclusive school environment, individualized education plans, school lockdowns, sensory overload, stress, visual supports
• 1682    0

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...

Evidence-Based Interventions for Students on the Autism Spectrum

• By: Lynda Geller, PhD Spectrum Services
• January 1st, 2013
• bullying prevention, emotional regulation, evidence-based interventions, executive function, individualized education plans, interventions, mental health support, social skills training, students
• 6010    0

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation both demand that schools utilize scientifically supported, evidence based methods. Yet, outside of applied behavior analysis there are few well-designed studies supporting interventions for our students on the...