Classroom Labels (in English and Spanish)

A set of classroom label cards with both drawings and words. Could also be used for flashcards for vocabulary development. From Slater Software.

English: http://www.slatersoftware.com/classroom%20labels--Eng.pdf
Spanish: http://www.slatersoftware.com/Classroom%20Labels%20Spanish.pdf

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Print Rich Classroom Labels

Flexible Thinking vs. Rock Thinking Activity

This lesson focuses on understanding social thinking with the use of concrete examples. From Autism Inspiration.

http://www.autisminspiration.com/public/169.cfm

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Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) Forms

A series of forms that could be used in an FBA of a challenging behavior. This is a step in the creation of a behavior intervention plan. From Polyxo.com.

http://www.polyxo.com/resources/pdf/functional_behavior_assessment.pdf

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An Educator's Guide to Autism Book

A free e-book download from the Organization for Autism Research (OAR).

http://www.researchautism.org/resources/OAR_EducatorsGuide.pdf

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Artist with Autism's Drawing App

A free online drawing app from Stephen Wiltshire, an artist with autism who creates detailed cityscapes. The app will only work with certain internet browsers, but it is also works with iPad, iPhone, and Android devices.

http://www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk/drawing_app.aspx

Instructional Planning Forms

A series of planning documents from Polyxo.com.

Planning Matrix: Event Grouping - Use this form to group the objectives of a number of children by the typical, daily events in a classroom. This can help in deciding when to target teaching or reinforcement of a particular skill or behavior or when would be the most benefical time to gather data.

Planning Matrix: Individual Objectives - Use this planning matrix to record objectives -- communication, self-help, social, motor, and cognitive skills -- for an individual child in a simple, single-page format.

Planning Matrix: Objective Grouping - This form is useful for grouping the objectives of a number of children in a single classroom, into the same five domains as above. This can help in planning activities to address the needs of a variety of children.

Online Feelings Game

Identify the person who is angry, happy, etc. Includes more complex emotions such as frustrated. From Do2Learn.


http://www.do2learn.com/games/feelingsgame/index.htm
 
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Sensory Friendly Movie Screening

This isn't free, but I wanted to let you all know about it.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
July 23
10 a.m. local time

More information: http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/events/sensory-friendly-films/
Find a theatre: http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/events/sensory-friendly-films/#theatres

Please note that this movie is rated PG-13‎.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

Behavior Observation Forms

A series of behavior observation forms for teachers, parents, and others working with a child exhibiting challenging behaviors at school or home. These forms may be used as part of a functional behavior assessment (FBA). From Polyxo.com.

http://www.polyxo.com/resources/pdf/behavior_observation_forms.pdf

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Simon Baron-Cohen Interview

This isn't specifically about Autism, but in this radio interview, Autism researcher Simon Baron-Cohen raises some interesting issues about Autism and empathy. I found the interview fascinating.

Here's a quote from the interview that I found particularly interesting: "The fact that we see a good moral compass in people with autism suggests that a moral sense is in some way independent of empathy. So, empathy is one route to morality. People with autism seem to care about other people, they care about justice and treating other people fairly and they care about when bad things happen to others. It’s just that they may have trouble reading facial expressions, trouble with some of the cognitive parts of empathy."

The audio of the interview can be found here: http://www.kera.org/2011/07/13/empathy-and-the-origins-of-cruelty/

Simon Baron-Cohen's new book:

The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty

Barrier Game

A game designed to work on communication skills, identifying colors and shapes, and perspective taking. From Autism Inspiration.
http://www.autisminspiration.com/public/138.cfm

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NASA Multimedia Video Gallery

A gallery of online videos about NASA missions, information, and events. http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html

Here's are the ones my son liked best:

Tea Party Visual Support

Photos of some activities kids might do during a play tea party. Could be used to make a Social Story or visual support about tea parties. I'd also recommend reading some books and stories about tea parties if you're teaching this skill so that the student has a context for the play skills. From http://www.speakingofspeech.com/

http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/TeapartyPix.pdf

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Green Toys Tea Set


Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Say Please Tea Set


A Very Special Tea Party (Angelina Ballerina)


My Little Pony: The World's Biggest Tea Party

NIH Book on Autism

A free book download from the National Institute of Health. Includes diagnostic information, treatment options, and research into causes and treatment. A good resource for a parent new to autism or a family considering intervention options.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/nimhautismspectrum.pdf

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Favorite Interview (Social Activity)

I like this activity because it allows students to talk about other students' thoughts and perspectives and it uses visual supports on the interview form. Save the file for when school starts!

Here are the directions from the Speaking of Speech website:
"Pair students and give each a copy of the interview form. Students take turns interviewing each other, circling their partner's answer if on the form, or drawing/writing in the 'other' box if not. Bring groups together to report on their partner's favorites and explain why these things are preferred. This is a good 'get to know you' activity for the beginning of the school year."
Reference for above: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/Social_Skills_Pragmatics.html

Here's the interview form: http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/Favorite_Interview.pdf

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Blue's Clues Eye Doctor Flash Cards

A series of printable cards that describe what happens at a visit to the eye doctor.

http://www.nickjr.com/printables/magenta-eye-exam-cards.jhtml?path=/printables/blues-clues/all-themes/all-ages/index.jhtml

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