Who are your students?

1. Who are your students? • seven 3 year olds, one 4 year old • Identified with autism or developmental delays • limited play and communication skills • Start with existing skills and abilities

2. What intrigues you about teaching young children with autism? • Individuality, diversity of characteristics, abilities and skills • Seeing first steps of growth • Supporting families

3. How do you determine educational priorities for a child’s first school experience? • Observe and follow the child’s lead • Build relationships with students • Stress classroom structure and routines • Building from individual strengths and interests

4. What are the aspects of your classroom that best promote your students’ learning? • The child is comfortable • Trusting relationship with families • Eclectic approach to learning • Behavioral approach to classroom management • Routines, structure and schedules • Individualization • Teaming

5. What is a typical day like in your classroom? • Arrival time– touching base with parents • Circle time – sitting and attending skills, following routine • Snack – communication and choices, setting limits • Outside play – play and motor development, social skills with other children • Individual Activities - typical preschool experiences • Lunch – speech therapy and oral motor • Playtime – Sensory and motor play skills • Dismissal - touching base with families

6. What qualities do you feel other teachers recognize in you? • Team player • Resource to others • Support for others

7. What does it take to make teaming happen? • Changing perceptions • Communication • Sharing skills and ideas

8. What behavioral or instructional supports and strategies have you shared with other teachers? • Circle time visual support book • Individual choice making opportunities with visual supports • Food choice board

9. How do you approach working with the families of your students? • Know that families have different needs, priorities and resources • Be non-judgmental • Encourage learning • Offer resources • Acknowledge differences, teach to abilities

10. What are the challenges you face? • Assessing student abilities and understanding • Setting behavioral expectations • Meeting the range of individual needs • Staying energized

11. What do your students gain from their experience in your classroom? • Foundational skills • Students learn from the skills and strengths of their teachers • Learning will continue

12. What “words of wisdom” can you share? • Love the children • Challenge yourself to see beyond the disability