Routines and expectations play a crucial role in creating a structured and supportive learning environment for students with autism. They are designed to provide predictability, reduce anxiety, promote independence, and enhance learning outcomes. I think of routines and expectations as the skills required to access and participate successfully in the classroom, building, home, and community. Every part of your student's day is a routine, and every area of your classroom is accessed by a routine. Over the next two weeks, we'll cover why explicitly teaching routines and expectations is essential, different routines and expectations, and how to teach them.

*It is important to note that routines and expectations may vary based on the individual needs of students and the specific educational program or approach being implemented. The overall goal when creating and teaching routines and expectations is to create a supportive and structured environment that facilitates learning, promotes independence, and fosters the social-emotional growth. This may look different for each student.

1. Our students thrive on predictability and struggle with unexpected changes. Teaching routines helps create a structured and predictable environment, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of security.

2. Students with Autism may have difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication. Explicitly teaching expectations and routines provides clear guidelines for behavior, making it easier for them to understand what is expected of them.

3. Routines can provide opportunities for practicing social skills, such as turn-taking, waiting, and sharing, in a structured setting. This helps students develop essential social interaction skills.

4. Teaching routines and expectations can aid in generalization. When students learn and practice routines in the classroom, they are more likely to apply these skills in other situations.

5. Clear routines and expectations promote independence by enabling students to carry out tasks and activities with minimal assistance.

6. The consistency routines and expectations bring to a classroom ensures that expectations remain clear and stable, helping students adapt and learn more effectively.

The next Tuesday Tips + Tricks will cover how to explicitly teach routines and Expectations!

1. Creating a classroom layout that is visually and physically defined ✔️
2. Providing, teaching and using schedules for EVERYONE✔️
3. Providing, teaching and using visual supports✔️
4. Explicitly teaching routines and expectations

As the season of holidays, celebrations, and gatherings quickly approaches, we eagerly anticipate spending it with loved ones. However, for some students with autism, this time of year can be stressful due to unfamiliar surroundings and routines that differ from their daily lives. As teachers we can help our students feel supported and comfortable during this time. Here are some compassionate tips to help you support your students as we enter the celebratory season:

• Address unspoken questions and concerns with care
• Prepare students in advance for changes in routine
• Create a safe space for students to take breaks if needed
• Use visual aids to explain upcoming events and schedules
• Work with families to ensure consistent support at home and school

Link to the full article on Preparing for Holiday Celebrations and resources to support students and families.

Check out Fall in the Forest in Theme's First! Theme units include 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.

Date/Time: November 29, 2023 from 3-4 PM

Where: Virtual

Cost: Free

Presenters: Nicole Berning, Department of Human Services (DHS) M.S., BCBA; and Erin Farrell (MDE) Ed.D., BCBA

Collaboration and care coordination are essential elements to ensure the best possible long-term outcomes for our students. This presentation will outline key strategies and resources to help school and provider teams work together side by side. We will review resources to coordinate early intervention services with services in an educational setting, create person-centered goals and facilitate collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. We will highlight the evidence-based practices for learners with ASD in the classroom and how this collaboration helps to support the use of evidence-based practices across school and home environments.

Date/Time: December 5th, 2023 from 3:00-4:30

Where: Virtual

Cost: Free

Join us for the second ASD EBP Webinar (formally known as STAR Webinars) of the 2023-2024 school year! During this webinar, Michele Glynn, ASD Specialist, will discuss using simple video modeling, modeling, and peer modeling to practice and promote positive behaviors that support student engagement and learning.

Feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns via email or phone. I'm also available to chat via Zoom Mondays from 7:30-8:00 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM. If these times do not work for your schedule, please email me and we will find a time that will work 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.

Tuesday Tips 'N' Tricks is made possible by Minnesota Low Incidence Projects