Part 8- All the Other Stuff

In Part 8 of the Teach Task Box Inspire mini-series, Lisa guides special educators through essential elements often overlooked but crucial for an effective autism classroom setup.

Lisa discusses sensory tools, parent communication strategies, technology integration, classroom atmosphere, and educator self-care. Lisa emphasizes their collective impact on student success and classroom harmony.

Practical tips given throughout the episode include creating sensory-friendly environments, fostering strong home-school partnerships, leveraging technology for personalized learning, cultivating a positive classroom atmosphere, and prioritizing self-care to sustain educator well-being amidst the challenges of special education.

Episode Highlights:

• Sensory Tools: Lisa explores the importance of sensory tools like fidgets, sensory bins, weighted items, and noise-canceling headphones to support sensory needs and promote self-regulation.
• Effective Parent Communication: Strategies such as regular updates, open-door policies, and parent workshops are highlighted to enhance collaboration and support for students with autism.
• Technology Integration: The episode discusses utilizing AAC devices, educational apps, interactive whiteboards, video modeling, and online resources to enhance learning experiences and communication skills.
• Classroom Atmosphere and Self-Care: Lisa underscores the significance of fostering a positive classroom environment through positive reinforcement, clear expectations, inclusive practices, and emotional support, alongside practical self-care tips for educators.

Resources Mentioned:

• Parent communication resources
• Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom

Connect with Me:

• Instagram: @chalkboard_superhero
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• Join my email list
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• Join the Teach, Taskbox, Inspire Membership

More About Teach, Task Box, Inspire: The Podcast:

Teach, Task Box, Inspire: The Podcast is your go-to educational podcast dedicated to making your job as a special education teacher easier and more enjoyable. Your host, Lisa Hollady, is a veteran special education teacher with a passion for helping teachers like you make a real difference in the lives of your students.

In your demanding roles, you’re constantly juggling various responsibilities, from differentiated instruction and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to data collection, and, of course, teaching. That’s where task boxes come in.

Task boxes aren’t just teaching tools. They’re the key to unlocking student independence, student engagement, and personalized learning. Through this podcast, you’ll uncover the incredible task box benefits for your special needs students and practical implementation tips that you can take to your classroom.

Tune in each Monday for a new episode that will equip you with essential strategies and motivation to approach your week with confidence and enthusiasm. Topics will include task box activities, social and emotional development, adaptive teaching, inclusive teaching, supporting diverse learners, classroom management, scheduling, visual aids, and more.

If you’re looking for more special education resources and support with increasing student independence, check out Lisa's FREE training.