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Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Dyslexia and the Brain

Does the brain of a child with dyslexia work differently than other kids’ brains? 

In this video from Understood.org, hear from leading dyslexia expert, Guinevere Eden, on what parts of the brain are used for reading. See first hand how the brain function of a child with dyslexia can actually change when they learn how to read fluently.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

28 Ways Peers Can Support Students with Disabilities

Peer supports are one of the most effective ways to help students with disabilities reach their potential and ensure that their academic and social needs are met. Whether you’re implementing a formal peer buddy program or more informal student-to-student partnerships, peer supports don’t have to require a huge time investment—but before you begin, the young people participating will need some preparation and guidance. 


Today's post, from Brookes Publishing: The Inclusion Lab blog, provides 10 tips on helping students to provide the most effective, appropriate supports to their peers with disabilities.


Read the full article 10 Practical Principles for Peer Support: Getting Students Ready to Help





Article Source: Brookes Publishing

Monday, April 24, 2017

Motivational Monday

Thursday, April 20, 2017

9 Reasons to Use Visuals




Source: North Star Paths

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

5 Types of Adaptations for your Inclusive Classroom



The Brookes Inclusion Lab is an interactive blog which provides tools and resources to promote and enhance UDL and inclusiveness within the classroom learning environments. Today’s post, 5 Types of Adaptations for your Inclusive Classroom, brings you five approaches for adapting instruction in your inclusive classroom, so students with and without disabilities can participate and learn academic content. Adapted from Rachel Janney & Martha Snell’s practical guide to Modifying Schoolwork, these strategies can be used in any combination to best meet the needs of your individual learners. After testing these strategies out, please share below in the comments which adaptations have worked best in your classroom!


 Grab a peek at the five adaptations below, and
*Alter the instructional arrangement

*Alter the physical or social environment

*Alter your methods and materials

*Alter the process or task

*Alter the level of personal assistance


Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Understood.org's April Assistive Technology Twitter Chats

Interested in learning more about how assistive technology tools can support the struggling learners in your classroom or your own child? Looking to gain a better understanding of what the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach is? 

Join the Understood.org community on Wednesday, April 19th and Thursday, April 20th at 12:00pm EST, for two #AskUnderstood Assistive Technology Twitter expert chats. This platform provides an opportunity to have your questions about assistive technology answered by Jamie Martin, assistive technology consultant and trainer. Simply post your questions using #AskUnderstood . Not sure what to ask, then follow along using the same #AskUnderstood  hashtag to see the responses to questions posed by others. Either way they are not to miss! 


For more information and to sign up for reminders, follow these links:

Wednesday, April 19th at 12:00pm ET:
Twitter Chat: Assistive Technology and UDL in the Classroom

Thursday, April 20th at 12:00pm ET:

Monday, April 17, 2017

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Dear Teacher...


Kids with a formal diagnosis, such as autism, Asperger's, ADHD, learning disabilities, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Central Auditory Processing Disorder -- along those who just need to move while learning--often find it challenging to shine in a traditional classroom. The kids who collaborated to write and star in this "Dear Teacher" video represent such students. Their mission was to share with educators how their brain works and offer simple ways teachers can help. Please enjoy! 



Source: Brain Highways

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Apps for Autism

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. To learn more about the mission and vision of of Autism Speaks, click here

As part of their collective resources, they have compiled a comprehensive list of apps for students (and adults) with Autism, however there are many apps that can be used for students of varying abilities. Apps are listed in alphabetical order and can be filtered by the app function, by device platform, by age or can be searched using keywords or phrases. Additionally, you can sort apps by clicking the "Rating" link above that column. You can rate apps by first clicking on the app name to visit the app detail page. Then, below the description of the app, click on the number of stars for your rating of the app.

Image result for autism speaks apps list
Here’s a quick tour of its main functions:

1. Search for an app using the drop down menus to select what you want it to do, the device you want to use and the age of the intended user. (See screen shots at left.)




2. Read the supporting evidence behind an app’s claimed uses and benefits. Just hover your cursor over the apps’ entry in the “Supporting Research” column (below left). 
Please note: Few apps have been directly studied. What we’ve gathered are summaries of general research behind the broader claims being made about a type of app. Our intent is to give you the best, evidence-based background material to inform your choice. But this shouldn’t be construed as proof that any given app will perform as claimed. 
Anecdotal = No specific or related scientific studies for this type of app.  
Research = There are some related scientific studies, but no direct research support for this type of app or technology.
Evidence = There is solid or specific scientific evidence that this type of app or technology is helpful.

3. View an apps’ user/parent rating in the far right column.

4. Want to rate an app you’ve been using? Read comments from users? Click on an app’s name to visit its detail page. There you can access cost and user comments, as well as rate an app you’ve used by selecting one to five stars. 

5. Have an autism app you'd like to add to the list? Comments you’d like us to post? To recommend a new app for the list, email a brief description including platform, cost, intended age group, any relevant research and the download link to FSDB@AutismSpeaks.org. You can also use this email to contribute your comments for an app already in our database.

Source: Autism Speaks

Monday, April 3, 2017

Motivational Monday