Category: Education
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Accommodations Prepare Children for The Real World
October 2023 was very different from October 2024. My children were enrolled in public school in a small town in Connecticut, and we were all feeling miserable. My oldest son, Frankie, was in second grade and struggling tremendously. We had yet to have an IEP meeting after nearly two months of school. His anxiety was…
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Be Curious and Dig Deeper
Struggles with non-preferred tasks. How many of us have read this sentence about our child? How many have written this sentence about a child we work with, or had it written about you? I heard this sentence in my son’s annual IEP (Individualized Education Plan) review meeting and am still kicking myself for not addressing…
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The Impact of Not Having Access to Robust Communication Modalities for Non-Speaking Students
Communication is the cornerstone of human interaction and development, facilitating learning, socialization, and self-expression (Iacono et al., 2022). For many individuals, the ability to communicate verbally comes naturally, supporting their educational journey and integration into society. However, non-speaking students-those who cannot communicate verbally due to developmental disabilities, neurological conditions, or other factors-face significant challenges. These…
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Becoming Neurodiversity Affirming: Listening to Autistic People to Inform our Approaches with Neurodivergent Students in Schools
Autistic people are advocating for changes in how we support neurodivergent children in schools. Instead of trying to make Autistic students conform to neurotypical expectations, we need to better understand and accommodate them. The neurodiversity paradigm views autism as a different way of being (Houting, 2019). Autistic people may think, process senses, move, communicate, and…
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Building Bridges: Embracing Growth Through Dialogue in Education
I’ve always been transparent about my personal growth in understanding and managing student behavior, and I take pride in that journey. I openly share my experiences to create an emotionally safe space for others who, like me, have reflected on and challenged systemic practices and training. As educators, it can be incredibly unsafe to voice…
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How To Use a Sensory Room For Self-Regulation
Whenever I’m asked about sensory rooms and sensory processing issues, I often toss back the question, “How do you self-regulate?” This question is often met with confusion unless the person asking has reflected on their own self-regulation habits and routines. Typical adults often find ways to self-regulate throughout the day. Morning coffee, chewing gum, exercising,…
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Back to School for Educators: Setting Intentions
As educators and students return to classrooms across the country, it is prudent for all stakeholders in school communities to set intentions around the type of learning environments we want to cultivate together. We cannot leave seclusion and restraint out of these discussions. The language we use about these practices matters as we strive toward…
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Applying Universal Design in Your Instructional Approaches: Accommodate by Design
Building upon concepts of Universal Design (UD) with curiosity and creativity may lead to opportunities to adjust your instructional design to support the regulation of students’ nervous systems, too! Although these ideas may be less concrete than designing a physical space, they likely will have similar benefits and support relationship building, regulated engagement in instruction,…
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The Overflowing Cup: Sensory Processing and Kids
We humans are a sensory species. Every single hour, minute, and second of our lives are made up of sensory input and integration. What we see, taste, smell, hear, touch, feel, and the lack of, are all important parts of sensory experience. These different forms of sensory input not only affect our senses themselves but…
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Support Collaborative Learning Opportunities
Collaborative learning spaces can foster a sense of community, enhance connection, and provide opportunities for peer support. A universally designed approach to collaboration is beneficial for all students, supporting opportunities for coregulation and learning from others. To universally design collaborative learning spaces, though, you also have to have the flexibility to create a space for…