The students in this classroom have primary diagnoses of autism as well as other related disabilities. The diagnoses hinder development of communication and expression of spoken language, engagement in stereotypical motor and/or vocal responses, difficulty in attending to social and environmental cues, and participation in inflexible, nonfunctional routines. The disabilities also impact their ability to process and produce curriculum level demands.
Our classroom is part of the SAIL program, which incorporates strategies based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) throughout the school day.
The classroom is supported by a lead Special Education Teacher for Students with Moderate Disabilities as well as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The classroom is also supported by four ABA Instructional Assistants (ABA IA). Strategies of Applied Behavior Analysis are utilized to promote increased independence and response throughout the school day.
My Project
Communication is an essential skill for all people to navigate their lives. The deficits in verbal communication for the students in our classroom are barriers to functioning on a daily basis and restrict their ability to communicate even their most basic wants and needs such as requesting the bathroom and a drink.
Our goal is to help our students find their voice!
The iPads will be utilized as a tool for communicating for our students. Students will be taught how to use the communication applications to begin with basic wants and needs within the context of their school day. Further communication skills will be taught as appropriate to include greetings, commenting and conversation vollies with peers/adults.
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