Person First Language For Special Needs Professionals

Here are some resources on people first language

Disability etiquette and person first language- Niagara University First Responders

Examples of People First Language- by Kathie Snow

Getting started with person-first language-Edutopia

People first language- District of Columbia Office of Disability Rights

People first language- Texas Council of Developmental Disabilities

Person First Language 101- JJslist

Using people-first language when describing people with disabilities– Very Well Family

What is person-first language and why is it important? – Laguna Shores

Identify First Language

Autistic person or person with autism: Is there a right way to identify people?– Molly Calahan

Identity- first language– Autistic Self-Advocacy Network

Identity first vs. person first: An important distinction– Association of Healthcare Journalist

This is how to talk about disability according to disabled people- Bustle

Updated 2/17/21

Low Tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) You Should Know About

You may be working with a child or an adult that uses an AAC communication device. Are you familiar with low-tech AAC devices?

According to Beukelman and Mirenda (2013), an estimated 1.3 percent of Americans cannot meet their daily needs communication needs using natural speech. Using low-tech AAC is one way to help children and adults with limited communication skills.

What is AAC?

AAC or Augmentative and Alternative Communication includes various methods of communication systems including communication devices, strategies and tools that helps a person communicate their wants, needs and thoughts specifically for children and adults who have limited communication skills.

What are the benefits of using AAC?

Studies show improvement in language development, literacy and communication among users including the use of picture exchange. There is also research that shows people working with an AAC are able to:

  • take turns appropriately
  • request items
  • decrease challenging behavior
  • improve receptive and expressive skills.
Who uses an AAC?

Children with developmental delays including motor, cognitive and physical limitations including children and adults with:

AAC Terminology You Should Know

Communication board- based on the cognitive and physical ability of the person, it is often organized by topic

Eye gaze- used in low-tech AAC by the person looking at an object and selecting the correct item using either the communication board or booklet.

Low-Tech- basic communication aids that include pictures, letters, words, symbols, communication board or picture books that cannot be changed or altered.

The following are links tp AAC core words:

AAC Core Words

70 kids picture books to target core vocabulary AAC (Omazing Kids)

100 High Frequency Core Word List (AAC Language Lab)

Core Word of the Week– The Center for AAC and Autism

Teaching Core Vocabulary– (Praatical AAC)

Low Tech AAC Boards

Eat, Think and Speak– a blog written for medical Speech and Language Pathologist on topics relating to swallowing, communication and cognition. Provides a blog article on free low-tech material including a wide variety of premade communication boards

Project Core– Provide free sample lesson plans focusing on talking with one word at a time to using correct grammar and word order.

 

Adapted Books Resources

 

6 IEP goals to target with adapted books- Mrs. P’s Specialties

Adapted books– the autism helper

Adapted books for autism– Autism Center of Learning

Adapted books galore– Autism Adventures

Adapted vocabulary books for autism– Autism Classroom

Adapting “Are you my mother?” for children with multiple disabilities- Path to Literacy

How to adapt books for students with autism– Breezy Special Ed.

How to make your own adapted books– Tech Access of Rhode Island

Literacy for everyone with adapted books- Praactical AAC

Making adapted books out of children’s books you love– Mrs. D’s Corner

Accommodations for Students with Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is describes as a learning disability that affects writing, spelling and fine motor skills. Dysgraphia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can occur as a stand alone disorder or part of a co-occurring disorder with other disabilities such as ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia. Typically it is diagnosed or discovered in the early years when children are beginning to learn how to write. Most adults often remain undiagnosed.

Early Signs of Dysgraphia

Signs and symptoms of dysgraphia generally begin to show up when children began to lean how to write. Early signs of Dysgraphia include:

  • Inconsistent spacing between letters
  • Poor spatial planning
  • Poor spelling
  • Unable to read own handwriting
  • Poor fine motor skills
  • Omitted words
  • Writes slow
  • Pain in hand from writing
  • Messy unorganized papers
  • Difficulty organizing thoughts on paper
  • Illegible printing and cursive letter formation
  • Slopping handwriting
  • Tight, cramped pencil grip
  • Tires quickly when writing
  • mixes upper and lower case or irregular sizes and shapes of letters.

The following articles provide resources on accommodations:

6 tips for creating a dysgraphia-friendly classroom

A guide to classroom and at-home accommodations for dysgraphia

Classroom accommodations for students with dysgraphia

Dysgraphia Accommodations

Dysgraphia accommodations and modifications

Dysgraphia accommodations in the classroom

Dysgraphia accommodations that improve learning

Dysgraphia symptoms, accommodations, and IEP goals

How to assist a student with dysgraphia in the classroom

Possible accommodations to consider for children with dysgraphia

Behavior Management Strategies for Teachers

 

5 behavior management resources for teachers

5 tips for teachers struggling with behavior management

7 classroom management techniques that work in person or online

8 proactive classroom management tips

10 behavior management ideas as a guide for your classroom

11 research-based classroom management strategies

25 sure fire strategies for handling difficult students

Behavior management strategies

Positive behavior strategies: What you need to know

Use these behavior management strategies in the classroom