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July 2014 Newsletter: Transition Back-To-School

July 2014 Newsletter Topic: Autism and "Back to School"
I know it's still the middle of summer, but this month we're going to share ideas, tips, and resources for helping children with autism transition back to school in the fall. Since we mail out our newsletter at the end of the month, it will be the perfect time to start working on the transition!

Check back with us all month long on our Facebook and Twitter pages for us to post new resources as they are added. Make sure you're subscribed to our free newsletter to get all the resources at the end of July!
http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/july-2014-newsletter-topic-autism-and.html


Tips and Articles:

Helping Our Kids with Autism Transition Back Into School - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/helping-our-kids-with-autism-transition.html

Classroom Checklist - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/classroom-checklist.html

Autism Guide for Bus Drivers and Transportation Supervisors - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/autism-guide-for-bus-drivers-and.html

Tips for Reducing the Stress Associated with Back to School - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/tips-for-reducing-stress-associated.html

Getting Ready for School: Transition Tips for Students with Autism - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/getting-ready-for-school-transition.html

Back-To-School Tips and Q & A with Dr. Paula Kluth - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/back-to-school-tips-and-q-with-dr-paula.html


Freebies: 

School Supply Picture Cards - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/school-supply-picture-cards.html

Back To School Social Story - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/back-to-school-social-story.html

Picture Schedule for Morning Routine - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/picture-schedule-for-morning-routine.html


News:

July 2014 Positive Autism News - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2014/07/july-2014-positive-autism-news.html

July 2014 Positive Autism News

Exceptional Minds Students Among Post Crew for "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"
July 10, 2014
http://www.shootonline.com/newsbriefs/exceptional-minds-students-among-post-crew-dawn-planet-apes

Tulsa Named Autism-Friendly City
July 10, 2014
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/health/tulsa-named-autism-friendly-city/article_724b61e0-e092-53c4-997e-21533f7ab276.html

Garland Student with Autism Learns to Play Organ by Ear
July 11, 2014
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/garland-mesquite/headlines/20140711-autistic-garland-man-teaches-himself-to-play-the-church-organ.ece

Sister Reveals Autistic Twin Brother's 'Super Powers'
July 18, 2014
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/sister-reveals-autistic-twin-brothers-super-powers/story?id=24602958

Picture Schedule for Morning Routine

You can use this set of picture cards to make a picture schedule for your child's morning routine. Having a consistent picture schedule of the steps to the routine can help your child to follow the routine more smoothly and independently.

http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/MorningRoutinePictureCards.pdf

Another tip about morning routines: about a month before school starts, wake up your children a little earlier each morning to prepare for the time they will need to wake up for school. You can also start practicing the morning routine using these picture cards in the weeks before school starts to get your child used to the routine.

Positively Autism also has a free set of bedtime routine picture cards to use for a bedtime schedule. http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BedtimeRoutinePictureCards.pdf

Back To School Social Story

Time For School: A Back To School Social Story

From "Educating Everyone 4 Life"

This Back to School social story is designed to help children cope with the transition of coming back to school after summer vacation. This is a visual story made for children with autism; however, all children can benefit from this story. Children with Special Needs, who or autistic, or who are in the general education classroom benefit when using a visual representations of a change in their routine. Use this book as a printable, multimedia presentation, or social story. This book is aligned with Common Core Standards in Reading.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Time-For-School-A-Back-To-School-Social-Story-657742

Here is an example of a more specific social story that you can write for your child using your own pictures and information: http://www.machkovich.com/Cory/AutismRecovery/SocialStories/BacktoSchool.pdf

In order to make the social story, you can arrange to visit your child's teacher and classroom before school begins to introduce your child and take some photos. If you are unable to arrange this type of visit, you can visit the school building and possibly the playground to get your child familiar with the environment and take photos of these. Also, you may be able to find pictures of the teacher, school building, or classroom on the school's website that you can use to make a social story.

School Supply Picture Cards

A set of picture cards of common school supplies. Can be used for a variety of activities including picture communication, vocabulary development, flash cards, matching games, and more!

http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/SchoolSupplyPictureCards.pdf


Another tip for school supplies is to color-code school supplies for different subjects, such as having blue notebooks, binders, and other materials for math, red for language arts, and so on. Color-coding can help a child organize school materials and the colors can be integrated into a picture schedule.

Back-To-School Tips and Q & A with Dr. Paula Kluth

If you've been following Positively Autism for any length of time, you'll know how much we love Paula Kluth. Her practical, compassionate, and helpful advice on teaching children with autism is nothing less than awesome! Here are is a download of her advice on transitioning back to school.

Here is a short interview with Dr. Kluth with some tips on getting ready for school: http://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/documents/family-services/paula_interview.pdf

If you're looking for a great staff training resource, check out this package from Dr. Paula Kluth!

"You're Going to Love This Kid!" Professional Development Package