In this episode of Autism Academy 360, host Lisa Holladay delves into the importance and implementation of independent work systems (IWS) in special education classrooms. These structured systems, such as the three-drawer bin system and task boxes, are designed to help students with special needs become more self-reliant by providing visual cues and prompts.

Lisa shares practical steps for selecting appropriate tasks, utilizing visual supports, and collecting data to monitor progress. She emphasizes the transformative impact of these systems on classroom dynamics and offers free resources to help educators get started, including a one-hour training and a starter kit. Whether you are a brand new teacher or a seasoned veteran, IWS can be a huge game-changer in your classroom!

Resources Mentioned:

• A free one-hour training on how to start implementing independent work systems.
• A free Starter Kit for implementing task boxes in your classroom.

In this episode of Autism Academy 360, Abby takes on the topic of token boards, an effective tool for motivating and managing behavior in autistic students but also a controversial one.

First, we define token boards and explain their basic concept. This is where confusion comes in, so we are going to talk about what they actually are.

Then we address common concerns and provide counterarguments. We first will cover the very valid concern that is the over-reliance on extrinsic rewards. Another common argument is the complexity and time-consuming setup and implementation. Lastly, the concern of inequity and fairness is addressed and talked about how to make them fair in your classroom.

Finally, Abby will discuss how to implement token boards effectively. The implementation sometimes causes these systems to completely break down which is why she is here to help prevent that.

Episode Highlights:

• What token boards are
• Arguments of why not to use them & counterpoints
• Implementation tips

Resources Mentioned:

• Free token boards
• Behavior Contracts & Charts editable

Connect with Us:

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• Lisa at @chalkboard_superhero
• Abby at @mrs_moes_modifications

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• Abby’s at Mrs. Moes Speducators
• Lisa’s at Special Education Superheroes

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• Join Lisa’s here
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In this episode of the Autism Academy 360 Podcast, host Lisa Hollady delves into strategies for landing a job in special education, particularly in autism settings. The episode covers essential tips for acing interviews, such as preparing answers to common questions, highlighting your experience, and effectively communicating with families.

Lisa emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive learning environments and being prepared for panel interviews. The episode also offers practical advice on behavior management, conflict resolution, and collaborating with support teams to ensure holistic support for students with autism. You won't want to miss this episode if you are a new educator, or you're a seasoned educator who needs some tips on landing a new job!