Autism Academy 360 – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Autism Academy 360, Lisa Hollady discusses the powerful role visuals play in both our everyday lives and the classroom. From driving directions to restaurant menus, visuals help guide us through various tasks without overwhelming us. Lisa emphasizes how visuals can support students with Autism and benefit all learners by creating independence and reducing frustration from verbal overload. 

Episode Highlights:

• Visuals help navigate everyday tasks like driving, shopping, and ordering food.
• Over-reliance on verbal directions in the classroom can overwhelm students, leading to frustration and negative behaviors.
• Classroom visuals such as labeled materials, turn-in bins, and task lists promote independence and reduce the need for constant reminders.
• Visual supports can also streamline home routines, with an example of how a bedtime visual schedule drastically reduced negative behavior.

In this episode, we chat about Behavior Skills Training (BST) and its critical role in equipping educational teams to effectively support students with autism. BST is broken down into four key components: Instruction, Modeling, Rehearsal, and Feedback. We start by explaining the significance of BST in developing and maintaining effective teaching strategies. The Instruction phase is highlighted for its importance in providing clear and concise directions, using visuals, and demonstrating materials. The Modeling phase emphasizes showing specific behaviors or techniques with either students or adults.

Next, the Rehearsal phase is defined as the opportunity for team members to practice new skills, with suggestions for creating these practice opportunities. The Feedback phase is discussed for its crucial role in offering constructive and supportive feedback to improve performance. We also address common challenges teams might face, such as time constraints and comfort levels, and provide solutions to these issues. The episode concludes with a summary of the key points, reiterating the importance of each BST phase in fostering a well-trained, cohesive educational team.

Connect with Us:

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• Lisa at @chalkboard_superhero
• Abby at @mrs_moes_modifications 

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• Abby’s at Mrs. Moes Speducators
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In this episode of Autism Academy 360, Lisa discusses how to prepare for the Extended School Year (ESY) services for students on the autism spectrum. This episode provides strategies for special education teachers to help their students maintain and progress their skills during the summer.

Lisa shares her personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of communication with current teachers, organizing student data, and creating a structured yet engaging schedule. The episode underscores the significance of tailored instruction, consistency, and community-based activities in supporting students' development and preventing regression.

In this episode we are talking all about the concept of core vocabulary and its profound impact on communication in special education settings. This may be something new to you, or something you think is just for SLPs.

We will talk about why core vocabulary is important in the classroom, not just the speech room. We will talk about how you can teach students these skills, materials you can use to teach core vocabulary, and some must do’s if you have students who use AAC devices to communicate.

Episode Highlights:

• What is core vocabulary?
• Where to start with core vocabulary?
• Materials for Core Teaching Vocabulary

Resources Mentioned:

• Assistiveware Printable Boards
• Free Core Word Unit: Want
• Check out all the core word units here

Connect with Us:

Instagram

• Lisa at @chalkboard_superhero
• Abby at @mrs_moes_modifications 

Join my our Facebook groups

• Abby’s at Mrs. Moes Speducators
• Lisa’s at Special Education Superheroes

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• Join Lisa’s here
• Join Abby’s here

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In this episode of Autism Academy 360, Lisa tackles the challenge of managing reinforcers for students with unique interests by introducing the concept of reinforcement bins. She explains how organizing preferred reinforcers in labeled bins can save time and improve classroom efficiency. By storing these bins in a central location, educators can easily access the items when needed.

Lisa also recommends a weekly routine where students select 5-10 preferred items to keep in their bins, ensuring the reinforcers remain relevant and motivating. This strategy enhances engagement and supports consistent reinforcement practices throughout the school day.

Resources Mentioned:

Preference assessment

In this podcast episode, we are talking about 4 things you can do this summer to change behaviors in the fall. First and foremost, establishing clear routines and expectations is essential. Abby will give you some exact steps to take other than just having clear rules so you can have a plan from day one. She’ll also talk about visuals and which ones you need ready for day one of school. By preparing these materials in advance, educators can save time and facilitate smoother transitions during the school year. 

She also talks about how creating an environment can impact a student and gives suggests of what to look for. Lastly, reviewing and understanding individualized education plans (IEPs) is imperative for effectively implementing accommodations and ensuring student success. She will give some easy tips to easily facilitate this information to all staff working with a student.

Resources Mentioned:

• Token board freebie
• Real Life Visuals
• Visual Cue cards
• 
  
• Join the Behavior Support Hub Membership here!

Connect with Us:

Instagram

• Lisa at @chalkboard_superhero
• Abby at @mrs_moes_modifications 

Join my our Facebook groups

• Abby’s at Mrs. Moes Speducators
• Lisa’s at Special Education Superheroes

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• Join Lisa’s here
• Join Abby’s here

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Understanding Reinforcer Hierarchies:

• After conducting a preference assessment to identify student reinforcers, the next step is ranking these reinforcers to create a hierarchy.
• This hierarchy provides a quick reference to understand which reinforcers students prefer and to what extent.

Importance of Reinforcer Hierarchies:

• Different reinforcers are suitable for various times of the day or activities.
• For challenging tasks or skills that students are less inclined to perform, using highly preferred reinforcers can increase motivation.
• Easier or maintenance tasks can be paired with low to mid-range reinforcers.

Flexibility and Adaptation:

• Students should ideally choose their reinforcers, but the frequency and timing of reinforcement can be adjusted based on the task difficulty.
• Reinforcers may not always be available; limiting access to highly preferred reinforcers can prevent satiation.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Reviewing data from preference assessments is crucial for creating a reinforcer hierarchy.
• Data on which items students interact with and for how long can reveal preferences and trends.

Creating the Reinforcer Hierarchy:

• Use preference data to categorize reinforcers into low, mid, and high levels.
• Aim for 3-5 reinforcers at each level and share this information with staff for consistent implementation.

Maintaining the Hierarchy:

• The hierarchy is a dynamic document that should be reviewed and updated 3-4 times a year.
• Changes in student preferences should be reflected to ensure the hierarchy remains effective.

By following these guidelines, teachers can effectively use reinforcer hierarchies to enhance student engagement and success in the classroom.

In this episode we are going to talk about easy behavior trick that costs nothing, takes, minimal time, and anyone can do. Sound too good to be true? Promise its not. We are going to talk all about choice, why it is important and the right and wrong ways to offer choices.

Episode Highlights:

• Kids want control- so give it to them!
• How to offer choices & the wrong way to offer choices
• Benefits of offering choices

Resources Mentioned:

• Behavior Support Hub Membership

Related Blog Posts

•    How Choice Can Prevent Problem Behavior

Connect with Us:

Instagram

• Lisa at @chalkboard_superhero
• Abby at @mrs_moes_modifications 

Join my our Facebook groups

• Abby’s at Mrs. Moes Speducators
• Lisa’s at Special Education Superheroes

Join our Email Lists

• Join Lisa’s here
• Join Abby’s here

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• Abby’s store
• Lisa’s store

In this episode, we are talking about the concept of errorless learning. Errorless learning is a teaching method used in special education to ensure students always choose the correct response without experiencing errors.

The episode delves into why this method is beneficial for certain learners. Lisa discusses the advantages, how to fade this technique gradually, and suitable activities and settings for implementing errorless learning.

Resources Mentioned:

• Errorless Learning Bundle

In today's episode, we explore effective strategies for managing behaviors when prevention efforts fall short. We discuss five different strategies that you can use when behaviors happen, because we all know they will, These strategies will help you get your student back to baseline and keep everyone safe. By implementing these strategies, we aim to create a supportive and nurturing learning environment while effectively addressing behaviors as they arise. 

Plus a bonus tip- what you can do after to really make a big impact.

Episode Highlights:

• 5 different tips for what to do when a student is escalated
• Bonus tip for what to do once they are calm

Resources Mentioned:

• Thinking Sheets
• Calming Tools freebie   

Connect with Us:

Instagram

• Lisa at @chalkboard_superhero
• Abby at @mrs_moes_modifications 

Join my our Facebook groups

• Abby’s at Mrs. Moes Speducators
• Lisa’s at Special Education Superheroes

Join our Email Lists

• Join Lisa’s here
• Join Abby’s here

Shop on TPT

• Abby’s store
• Lisa’s store