Welcome Back

Welcome to a brand-new school year and the first edition of Tuesday Tips & Tricks! I hope you had a chance to recharge this summer and are ready to kick off another year of growth and success. Whether you’re a returning reader or new to this community, I’m so glad you’re here!

I’m Jen Guettler, Minnesota’s ASD Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) Coach through the Minnesota Low Incidence Projects at BrightWorks. In this role, I guide educators across different regions in the state to bring evidence-based practices to life in autism classrooms through in-person coaching, professional development, and resources like this newsletter.

Tuesday Tips & Tricks breaks down topics relevant to educators into a series of newsletters. Each edition provides strategies and tools to support both your students and your team. Your work makes an incredible impact every single day, and our goal is to provide resources that make your job just a little easier!

We want Tuesday Tips & Tricks to be as helpful as possible for you! What topic would you like us to cover in upcoming editions? Cast your vote below!

Navigating puberty can present unique challenges for students with autism, and it takes a team to support them through these changes. Join The STAR Media Center to learn practical strategies for making these important life lessons accessible to a variety of learners, ensuring everyone feels equipped and supported on this journey...adults included!

September 10: 3:30 p.m. CST OR 5:30 p.m. CST

This must-read newsletter is filled with exciting events, valuable opportunities, and expert insights for educators and professionals supporting students with ASD.

I’m especially excited about Leah Hicks' Communication Corner, where she explores strategies to expand AAC use beyond requesting. Leah shares powerful ways to help students express their thoughts, build meaningful connections, and navigate their world with greater independence. Plus, she’s included an amazing one-pager—perfect for sharing with colleagues!

Don’t miss out! Click the link below to access this incredible resource, and be sure to subscribe to receive the Minnesota Statewide ASD Newsletter in your inbox each quarter. Stay informed, inspired, and connected!

Check out the Back to School Themes First! Unit, which includes original songs, books, and activities that support students’ skill development and generalization with content that’s fun, accessible, and theme-based. These monthly units now include an expanded Social Studies suite, containing fun, theme-related activities that reinforce cultural engagement. Included in all Themes First! units are lessons, activities, and worksheets for group and independent work at a wide range of levels.

The next Themes First! release, September's My Fives Senses is ready to prep!

💡Print all the activities you plan to use for the upcoming month as soon as they become available. Put printed activities in a "prep" area equipped with a laminator, file folders, Velcro, labels, and baggies. If you have a large laminator, laminate all the activities at once! When you and your team have a few minutes to spare, laminate, cut, and Velcro. It helps to organize activities in trays by "Needs to be Prepped" and "Finished." Don't forget to teach your team how to prep the activities and to model this new expectation. Check out the How to Prep a Month-Long Themes First! Unit below.

2023-2025 Tuesday Tips & Tricks

Feel free to reach out anytime with questions or concerns—I’m happy to help! You can contact me by email or phone, and I’m also available for quick Zoom chats on Fridays from 7:30–8:00 AM and 3:00–3:30 PM. If those times don’t work for your schedule, just send me an email, and we’ll find a time that works best for both of us.

Use the link below to ask questions about this week's Tuesday Tips 'N' Tricks and/or give suggestions on future topics.