ALIST Spotlight-- Jane Chance Elementary

We are excited to dedicate this month's ALIST Spotlight on Jane Chance Elementary in Miamisburg! Jane Chance has many excellent ALIST educators dedicated to meeting the needs of their students with autism and low incidence disabilities. Toni Mallot and Carrie Prickett are the amazing leaders of the Jane Chance team. In addition to these wonderful teachers, there are also several great paraprofessionals on their team including ALISTers Monte Wilhelm and Michelle Anspach. This team is also supported by ALIST principal Dale Geyer.

Toni and Carrie both teach in self-contained classrooms for students with autism and low-incidence disabilities. They make up a great team with Toni teaching the earlier grades (K-2) and Carrie teaching the higher grades (3-5).

Both teachers use the evidence-based practice of visual supports for a variety of classroom supports included individualized, interactive schedules:

And routines:

Visual supports can even be an effective support for the adults too! They use visuals to keep lesson materials organized through labels and color-coding. Their expert organizational skills help keep their classrooms flowing and students learning.

Carrie and Toni also use of one our favorite supports of structured work systems:

The Jane Chance team also knows the importance of keeping students internally regulated. They use the evidence-based practice of exercise:

And they also have a great calming sensory room that students can go to during scheduled sensory breaks to help with self-management.

As well as equipment and materials within their classrooms for students who need a break.

 

Toni and Carrie also use a variety of published and teacher-made materials for their lessons. These materials are hands-on and engaging to meet a variety of student needs. One area they are experts in is the use of the PCI Reading Program.

We want to thank the Jane Chance team for being such wonderful examples of best practices in our region. A special thank you to Toni and Carrie for welcoming fellow teachers into their classrooms as ALIST partners so we are able to showcase their great work for others!

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunity-- Twice Exceptional

Twice Exceptional: Serving Gifted Students with High Functioning Autism and Social Deficits

When is it?

• Monday, October 23rd from 9:00am-3:00pm

Who should attend?

• Intervention Specialists and General Education Teachers working with students with High Functioning Autism and/or Gifted Students and Special Education Directors

What should participants expect?

• In this session, Lisa Combs will  review the unique characteristics and needs of the "twice exceptional" learner, who is both gifted *and* identified as being on the autism spectrum. The session will also provide guidance and a strength-based planning template to support the unique academic, social and behavioral needs of this challenging subgroup of students. 

How much does it cost to attend?

• The cost is FREE to all districts who have already signed up for Miami Valley Autism Coaching Team services for the 2017-2018 school year. 

How do I sign up?

• Contact our secretary Mary Fryman at mary.fryman@mcesc.org or (937) 236-9965 to register

Around Town Round Up-- Visual Floor Cues

Visual supports do wonders for our students with autism and other disabilities! In fact, visual supports is an evidence-based practice for students with autism. This week our Around Town Round Up will focus on visual supports that can be placed on the floor to help students better understand where to stand or sit in the classroom. These cues can be a great way to communicate expectations to the student.

Some students respond great to a simple boundary created with colored floor tape.

block off the teacher's area so students do not enter

create a line for students to line up on

designate a student's boundary at the table

Other students need a larger cue to know where to stand in line.

Emily Ottmar
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River Local Schools

Jessica Burns
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia

Or where to sit on the carpet.

 These placemats are cheap, portable, and can be color coded for each student. 

Emily Ottmar
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

These portable carpet squares from IKEA are another cost-effective way to incorporate visual cues that can easily be moved or put away when not in use.

Kate Pennington
Kettering ECEC, Kettering

Jessica Burns
Demmitt Elementary, Vandalia

One of our favorite visual supports for the carpet are Sit Spots. Sit Spots are completely backed in scratchy velcro so they are perfect for sticking to carpet but won't leave any sticky residue and can easily be moved. They can be purchased in a variety of colors and shapes.

Regulation Rendezvous-- Increasing Student Focus

Many of the teams we coach are concerned with their students' ability to remain focused and engaged in their learning. This week's Regulation Rendezvous will highlight strategies we have seen throughout the Miami Valley to increase student focus.

Sometimes desk reminders can be a way to nonverbally redirect student attention without disrupting the learning of other students.

Taylor Ruef
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Fidgets or other sensory equipment such as weighted shoulder or lap pads, vests, or wiggle seats can be helpful for students. At Stevenson Elementary, the teachers are able to check out various sensory items to trial with students.

Emily Ottmar
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Jennifer McGowan
Smith Middle School, Vandalia

This flexible ruler is a great tactile fidget which offers students some input but minimal distractions.

Other students may need a foot fidget while they are working. Many classrooms use a Theraband or Bouncy Band on a student's chair. We have also seen desk pedals and a great PVC pipe foot swing for a high school student.

Sandy Beck
Broadway Elementary, Tipp City

Joel Derge
Tipp City High School, Tipp City

All students have different needs when it comes to how often they need to move or wiggle or if they do better sitting or standing. Flexible seating is becoming increasingly popular in a variety of classrooms. When established in a purposeful, structured way this support can have a huge impact! We loved the flexible seating options in Courtney Young's Kindergarten class in Beavercreek. Courtney's seating options included stools, therapy balls, chairs, wiggle seats, bean bag chairs, floor cushions, Hokki stools, and a standing table.

Courtney Youngs
Fairbrook Elementary, Beavercreek

Other examples of flexible seating we have seen include a great rocking chair that looks very similar to typical chairs and a podium used as a standing desk in a 2nd grade classroom.

Sarah Brown
Edison Elementary, Dayton Public Schools

Kim Hampton
Broadway Elementary, Tipp City

Many students benefit from an office space or "homebase" where they can complete assignments especially when feeling overwhelmed. Several of the teachers that we have seen effectively use this approach limit sensory overload through use of dim lighting, and through reducing visual clutter in the work space.

Sandy Beck
Broadway Elementary, Tipp City

Jennifer Jette
Vandalia-Butler High School, Vandalia

Laura Brown
Perrin Woods Elementary, Springfield

Rachel Hatton
Normandy Elementary, Centerville

Tabitha Eaton
Main Elementary, Beavercreek

Visual distractions can also be limited through the use of portable dividers.

Marissa Calhoun
Fairbrook Elementary, Beavercreek

Brittany Bush
Spinning Hills Middle School, Mad River

Kendall Koehler
Normandy Elementary, Centerville

Another way to increase student engagement and focus is by incorporating multi-sensory movement activities before starting their work. 

Sandy Beck
Broadway Elementary, Tipp City

Tina Snyder
Miami Valley ESC