Teacher Tips
February 2017
Topics
PPT Preparation
Social Activities
Valentine Day Activities
Teacher’s Corner
Tis’ the season...
That is, the PPT Season!
From now until the end of the school year, PPT
preparation will be part of your weekly routine!
Whether planning an annual review or a triennial
or both, this is a stressful time for educators and families as they come together to plan an appropriate pro-
gram for the individual student with ASD.
The following pages provide some thoughts for educators and families to consider when planning programming for students.
PPT Preparation
Time constraints are challenging at this time of year
however, completing assessments and evaluations well in
advance may alleviate some of the stress in meeting
deadlines. It will also allow more time to be reflective and
thoughtful about appropriate planning for each individual
student.
Prior to the PPT, preconference and review the progress
and continued areas of challenge the student presents.
Think outside the box. Be creative in planning the
individualized program for each student.
Review each team members goals and objectives to
prevent the overlapping of objectives.
It is very important to meet with the parent(s) prior to the
PPT to review evaluation reports, assessments, data and
address any concern(s) the parent(s) may have. By
meeting in advance the parent will have an opportunity to
process the information and formulate questions prior to
the PPT meeting.
Parent Corner
Below are some tips to help you as a parent be an integral part of the planning process for your child.
Remember that the purpose of a Planning and Placement Team (PPT)
meeting is to conduct one of the following;
initiate and discuss evaluations
determine eligibility for special education services
develop your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
or to review and/or revise your child’s program
Your child’s IEP is developed at the PPT meeting by the team, which
includes you and whenever possible your child.
Ask questions. Much of the information you receive in the form of
evaluation results, goals and objectives may be overwhelming and
difficult to understand. For some parents it sounds like a foreign
language! Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Be sure to share
information about your child with the team .
Voice your concerns. You can disagree with the decisions made at any
time during or after the PPT meeting. You may request changes to be
discussed with the team.
Teaming
Collaboration is the key to student success!
Trust among all members of the team
Examples and evidence of learning
Active listening
Measurable progress
Identify strengths of the student
Name activities and toys/objects that motivate the child!
Individualized Educational Plan should reflect the child’s strengths as
well as challenges. Clearly define special education services.
Never say never! Always maintain high expectations for the child.
General education-identify how and when the child will participate in
the least restrictive setting with nondisabled peers.
Social Activities
Many individuals with autism struggle with social activities that involve turn
taking, sharing, negotiating. These are challenging skills for many individuals with
autism but skills they can learn when given the structure and practice.
During the winter months we are forced to be creative and think of indoor
activities for our child with autism. Preferably activities that can be with another
peer. Invite someone over and try one of the following activities that help to work
on some of the challenging areas individuals with autism face.
Cooking activity for young children
Skills: fine motor coordination (open box, zip bag open and closed), turn taking,
following a sequence, measuring (milk), identifying objects (measuring cups, baggie).
PUDDING IN A BAG
You Need:
Boxes of Instant Pudding (1 box for 2 children)
Milk (according to instructions on pudding box)
ziploc bag (1 for each child)
Measuring cups
1. Pour half a box of pudding into each child's ziploc bag.
2. Measure enough milk to make half a box of pudding and allow children to add it
to their pudding in the bag.
3. Seal the bag securely
4. Have the children squish the bag around with their hands, mixing the pudding
with the milk.
5. When all of the pudding is mixed, cut a small hole in the corner of the bag and
let the children drink the pudding right out of the bag! If this is too difficult insert
a straw into the hole.
Supports to facilitate turn taking
Social Stories
by Carol Gray
What is taking turns?
Sometimes, children want to play with the same toy.
They may need to take turns with the toy. A “turn” is a
chance to play with the toy. Each child has a turn playing
with the toy. This means that I will have a chance to play
with the toy. I will have my turn with the toy.
When is it my turn?
Sometimes it may be difficult to know when it is my
turn. Adults can help.
An adult may ask me to wait for my turn, saying, “____,
please wait.” “Wait” means my turn is coming. “Wait” may
also mean it’s a good time to play with another toy. Adults
will try to show me what “wait” means.
When it’s my turn, someone may say, “____, it’s your
turn!” That means other children will wait until my turn is
finished.
Visual Support for Turn Taking
Children that have difficulty with language comprehension and are just beginning to work on turn taking,
creating a visual sequence using photos of the actual
children will help the child understand that they will
be getting a turn and when it will happen.
Whose turn is it?
A Social Story
by Carol Gray
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is February 14.
On Valentine’s Day I may show someone that I
love them.
There are many things I can give to a person I
care about. I can give candy, flowers, or a card.
I can make a card out of paper. I might draw
big red hearts on the card.
Valentine Day Activities
Learn Your Colors!
Pick an activity!
Match heart to heart
Match the color word bolded in color to the
corresponding heart
Match the color word (in black) to the
corresponding heart
red
blue
yellow
green
orange
purple
pink
red
blue
yellow
green
orange
purple
pink
Candy Hearts Graphing
Directions: Sort your candy hearts into piles of the same color.
Count one color pile at a time. Then color in the number of
blocks for each color in the color column.
Example: If you have 8 red candy hearts color in 8 blocks in the
red column.
Color
red
orange
green
blue
white
other
Amount of Candy Hearts