Recently, when discussing a parent’s concerns about his son’s stimming. Stimming, which is short for self-stimulatory behavior, refers to repetitive body movements or sounds, such as hand-flapping or other repetitive hand movements, rocking, tapping, spinning, or vocalizations, such as humming or repetitive sounds or phrases. What is stimming? Stimming is a common action exhibited in […]
Talia Morgado
Behavior is Communication
This may sound silly, but I can’t stop thinking about my T-shirt. Earlier this school year, I was talking to the speech therapist who works with my students when I noticed her fantastic shirt. It said, “Behavior is Communication.” Immediately, I asked her to send me the link to the shirt, and by the end […]
Navigating ADHD in the classroom: Insights and strategies for educators
Understanding ADHD: Imagine a lively, vibrant, busy classroom filled with the sounds of delighted students doing an end-of-unit project. Among the groups of students, one child, Jimmy, walks away from his group to jump on the trampoline in the classroom sensory area. He has to get constant reminders from his teacher to return to his […]
An Educational Revolution: Montessori Education and its Benefits for Students with Autism
In the ever-changing world of education, where research is always changing, and new studies are always coming out, there is one approach that has recently been growing and gaining more attention than ever before: Montessori education. Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori that emphasizes child-centered learning, self-directed activity, and hands-on, […]
Celebrating Neurodiversity: The Impact of ‘Love on the Spectrum'”
In recent years, there has been a remarkable push for diversity and inclusivity in the media. As a special educator specializing in autism, I have often felt saddened by the lack of autism representation in the media in the midst of this new media revolution. Recently, I came across the Netflix series “Love on the […]
Addressing the Need: Spanish-speaking immigrants and access to special education resources
Spanish-speaking families: Growing up, my pride in my Hispanic heritage defined much of my identity. As a proud Latina, being Argentinian was a source of immense joy and pride for me. I eagerly took any opportunity to share stories about my father’s journey from Argentina to the United States, leaving his family behind for a […]
Nurturing social-emotional learning for students with autism
In the realm of education, one size certainly does not fit all. As educators, it’s our responsibility to ensure that every student, regardless of their abilities or challenges, has the opportunity to thrive. For students with autism, social-emotional learning (SEL) is not just a curriculum; it’s a lifeline – a pathway to understanding, connection, and […]
Unlocking Potential: The Power of Whole-Body Sensory Activities in Autism Classrooms
In the bustling world of special education, where every day presents a new puzzle to solve and a fresh opportunity to empower young minds, innovation is the name of the game. As a devoted educator navigating the intricacies of an autism classroom, I’ve always been on the lookout for ways to make learning not just […]