Resources For Teachers

As a teacher for children with autism I’m always seeking out new information and ideas to address issues within my classroom and with families. Additionally, I’m always looking for advocacy issue with which I can become involved…the only way that we’re ever going to make a difference that is sustainable is to ensure that changes are made on a macro-level. The only way that can happen is to become involved with legislation and advocate for the children and the families with whom we work.

On this page you will soon find a plethora of resources for teachers that I hope with be helpful to you in your teaching career and in working with children, their families, and other teachers.

One thing that I’ve found in my career thus far is that I spend a lot of time teaching other teachers about autism. I’m hoping that we can come together in this forum and create a place to find useful information that is accessible to all, not just those who already know a lot about autism. Please feel free to post your own information or questions that you would like answered.

Data Sheets
10-Trial Data Sheet: This basic data collection sheet has many uses. The most basic use is for tracking data for Discrete Trial Training (DTT) programs. This data sheet can be used to track responses to specific stimulus (Sd = discriminative stimulus = instruction). For instance, if your student is working on identifying individual colors, you would track their response to every instance of the instruction “What color?”. This data sheet can be used to track 1-20 trials per instructional session. Data is typically collected based on the first 20 trials presented in a session so the data is not impacted by practice effects (i.e. practice would lead to higher scores, which would over-estimate the students actual ability).

Duration Data Sheet: This type of data is typically used for open-ended behaviors we want to increase (i.e. attending to a story, sitting during circle time, or engaging in play) or behaviors we want to decrease or eliminate (i.e. tantrum). It is important on the data sheet to clearly define the target behavior and what counts as the beginning and end of the behavior so data can be reliably collected.

Frequency Data Sheet: This type of data is used to track how many times a behavior occurs within a given period of time (i.e. in 10 minutes, an hour, a class period, a day, a week, etc). Tracking this type of data can give us clear information about how many times a behavior is occurring and if it is occurring more during different periods of time. This information can help us make decisions about interventions and their efficacy.