Shop Subscribe

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty

Tips and trending topics for the teacher who's always learning

schoolyard-logo
  • Education Essentials
  • Inspiration & Planning
  • Learning Spaces
  • Podcasts
  • Topics
  • Search
  • < Previous post
    Next post >
    Daily Living and Social Skills

    Special Needs

    Daily Living and Social Skills

    Expert Tips on Daily Living Skills- Transitions

    Many students with autism are visual learners.  Visual cues are the best intervention for a nonverbal student. They assist and inform students of the rules, their schedule and changes in their routines.  For example, the teacher can create a person locator system with visual cue cards, which shows students what they will do and with whom that day.

    Time Timer

    Although traditionally used in muscle tone/strength building exercises, using a weighted ball for play or to carry during transition (in the school hallway for example) makes a great addition to a daily routine for a child along the autism spectrum or other sensory processing disorders.

    Abilitations Grabits

    Abilitations Grabits

    Expert Tips on Social Skills – Lunchtime Success!

    One recommendation to help decrease stimuli or stressful situation in the lunchroom is to have the student eat in a smaller room where social skills can be practiced.  Or if this is not inclusive enough, then backward chain the task so the student eats the first part of his lunch in a smaller quieter room, then joins his class in the lunchroom for the last 5-10 minutes.  Using a straw to sip on a drink during this time may be a good oral motor strategy for calming.

    Choosing My Behavior Game

    Choosing My Behavior Game

    Expert Tips on Social Skills Group Activities

    Set up social skills groups in which the student can learn and practice social skills by utilizing the Abilitations Cookie Thief game.  The group may include students with autism and general ed students who serve as role models to exhibit desired behaviors.  This group activity will motivate students to participate and learn educational and social skills by making it fun!

    Cookie Thief Game

    Cookie Thief Game

    In recognition of Autism Awareness Month and OT Month, we will be sharing tips throughout the month of April from our experts at Abilitations.  Be sure to check back or visit us on Facebook.

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Recommended

    Celebrate Our Nation’s Youngest Learners During Week of the Young Child®

    Early Childhood

    Celebrate Our Nation’s Youngest Learners During Week of the Young Child®

    New Products for Every Learning Space in 2025

    Teacher Life

    New Products for Every Learning Space in 2025

    Back to School Solutions for the Principal

    Back to School

    Back to School Solutions for the Principal

    How to Create and Deliver High-quality Student Interventions

    Learning Spaces

    How to Create and Deliver High-quality Student Interventions

    Explore The Schoolyard

    Education Essentials

    Inspiration & Planning

    Learning Spaces

     

    TopicsShop Subscribe

    Copyright © 2025 School Specialty, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement · Social Media Statement · Do Not Sell My Personal Information - CA Resident Only

  • CATEGORIES

    • Education Essentials
    • Inspiration & Planning
    • Learning Spaces
  • TOPICS

    • Arts & Crafts
    • Early Childhood
    • Special Needs
    • Physical Education
    • Educational Technology
    • Student Resources
    • Organization & Storage
    • Classroom Management
    • STEAM & STEM
    • 21st Century Learning
    • Reading & Literacy
    • Healthy Students
    • Teacher Life
    • Back to School
    • Celebrations & Seasons
    • Out of School
    • News
    • Math
    • Science
    • Podcasts
    • Topics
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube