In some residences and group homes, individuals are being monitored for COVID19 by daily temperature readings. People with disabilities are probably used to getting their temperatures taking each time they are seen by their physician. In these challenging times, why not teach the skill of taking one own’s temperature. It is a basic independent living skill to learn.
Using a digital thermometer would probably be the most effective and it is also easy to read. teaching thermometer reading affects the following skill:
Attention Skills
Follow Directions
Follow 2-step commands
Personal Care
Self-advocacy skills
Prerequisite skills
understand cause and effects
able to understand numbers
focus attention 1-5 minutes
Understand sequences
Objective: With modeling, student will be able to accurately read the thermometer
Time: 5 minnutes
Material: digital thermometer (best used for underarm and the mouth)
Steps:
explain that a normal temperature reading is considered around 98.7 and temperature taking is done to determine if a person has a fever or is sick.
The teaching method best used is through modeling. Explain the steps to the individual and begin by taking your own temperature first.
Once done, inform the individual he should do the same by using the following steps:
The student will pick up the thermometer
The student will wash the thermometer
The student will carefully place the tip of the thermometer under his/her tongue
With the mouth closed, the student will leave the thermometer in until he/she hears a beeping sound
The student will remove the thermometer
The student will accurately read the temperature.
You can also create a temperature log, where the individual takes their temperature on a daily basis and writes down their temperature on a chart.
Learn to identify coins is one of the first steps in learning to count and understanding money management skills. The following worksheets will help to reinforce the ability to recognize the various denominations of coins.
The lesson plan below is a helpful tool to reinforce recognizing coins. Children with intellectual disabilities and special needs learn best through visual demonstrations and pictures. Remember to allow extra time to complete the task and use simple directions.
Lesson Plan: Identify Coins
Objective: the Student will successfully identify coins
Performance Criteria: The student will identify the correct coin, 3 out of 5 trials
Materials Needed:
coin worksheets
actual penny, nickle, dime and quarter
pencil
Steps:
the instructor will use real coins and identify the coin to the student
the instructor will use one coin at a time, starting with the smallest demoninator
The instructor will pick up the penny and state, “this is a penny.”
The instructor will then ask the student to pick up the penny
The instructor will aske the student to describe the penny
The instructor will ask the student the value of the penny.
Once completed, the instructor will have the student complete the worksheet
The insstructor will continue with the rest of the coins.
Vassar junior Zoe Gross knows her strengths and weaknesses all too well. So while she gets good grades, the 21-year-old is aware that she does things more slowly than most people, including getting dressed in the morning, transitioning between activities, and writing papers. It makes college an even greater challenge. “When you take into account that when I’m living on my own it is difficult for me just to keep myself washed, fed and in clean clothes,” she says, “it means that I can’t do the schoolwork as fast as the professors can assign it.”
Gross is on the autism spectrum, and her struggles with life skills and executive function—the mental processes that involve things like planning, time management and multitasking—leave her feeling depressed and anxious. “I get sick a lot because my immune system is shot,” she says. “I got strep and mono in one semester.” Of course, this adds to her anxiety and trouble getting things done. “Every semester I am absolutely miserable by finals.” After finally hitting a serious “rocky patch,” as she puts it, Gross decided to take a break this semester. Click here to read the rest of the story
The latest estimate shows that 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) as having autism spectrum disorder. This means that more than ever, special education teachers in order to be effective, will require additional resources and support. the following links showcase a number of blogs and information on working with children with autism.
Autism Teacher Blogs
Savvy teachers are creating and developing blogs on teaching children with autism. Many of the blogs give first -person accounts while others share classroom activities, lesson plans and classroom management.
The following links are tips and strategies that are specific to teaching techniques and helpful information on setting up the classroom, data collection and scheduling.
The following sites are great resources specifically for teachers working with children with autism. Many of the sites include free downloads and other resources including curriculums, lesson plans and data collection.
A resource for teachers, therapist and parents including a free IEP goal bank, parent resources and an assortment of tools and resources on a variety of topics. Autism Educators, Inc. is currently offering a Teacher’s Wish List promotion.
This site includes information for individuals with autism and other developmental disorders. Links include information on topics such as toys and games, curriculum management and child safety just to name a few.
This site contains free resources on lesson plans on a variety of topics including data collection, seasonal, inclusion for teachers and life skills. A great site for parents, therapist and teachers.
An autism blog created by Sasha Long, a board certified behavior analysis and certified special education teacher.
Do you know of any links and resources not listed? if so, please send an email to: specialneedsresourceblog@gmail.com and we will add them to the list.
