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Teach Autism
Dana, co-founder
of Teach Autism, has a background in Psychology, General and
Special Education. She received her B.A. at Marist College
in Poughkeepsie New York. At Marist College she volunteered
at Anderson School in Rhinebeck New York. She worked side by
side with the teacher learning about Autism. This was her
first experience working with children on the spectrum.
During, her experience she discovered how remarkable people
with autism are and how much we can learn from each other.
After college she applied to teach children on the Spectrum.
She began working in Fall 2005. While teaching, she went for
her Masters in Special Education and graduated 2010.
Determined and motivated to learn more, Dana enrolled at
Pennsylvania State University to pursue her BCBA degree.
Dana was
determined to help find creative ways to teach her students.
She found teachers and parents needed learning materials
that were not available, so she started creating materials
that would assist her students. As well as creating a list
of resources available to parents.
First, Dana
started a workshop for her students and their guardians at
her school. The workshop was called "Play n Learn." Dana
worked closely with the district wide behaviorist to create
a presentation. Parents were presented with information
such as background on Autism, definition of basic terms
along with teaching techniques and behavior strategies. The
parents and behaviorist meet for an hour. Questions were
answered at the end. At the end children were allowed to
visit their parents and create a craft project. This was
very successful and today parents continue to meet with the
district wide behaviorist monthly to discuss intervention
strategies.
Along with
creating this reliable resource for her parents, Dana began
creating her own teaching tools. While observing at Anderson
and teaching her own students she realized the importance of
customizing each student’s academic plan along with behavior
plan. Every child is unique and has different needs.
As seen in most
or all ABA structured classrooms you will see a token
board. Dana implemented the token board and came up with
Letter Reward. It teaches left to right directionality,
spelling, and making choices. How do you use the letter
reward: First you give child a choice of what to work for.
In this case it is Computer time, Next: Explain the task you
want the child to complete and remind your child when you
catch them being good they will receive a letter Lastly:
When they receive all their letters to spell Computer; they
may have a few minutes of computer time (It is recommended
you give them no more than 2 minutes of their reward time;
then get back to another task). This was a big success in
her classroom. At back to school night she would allow
parents to request a letter reward for at home to use. This
allowed consistency at home and in school.
Like many
teachers Dana had a difficult time trying to find time to
fit everything into her schedule. She disliked writing long
notes back and forth to parents. She felt this would take
away from her students' academic instruction. To help with
time she created the home school communication book. It is
one page that outlines the child’s day. It is easy to take
notes. She would keep on a clip board and carry with her
throughout the day. This saved her time from writing daily
long notes. Her student's parents loved this too. It
included room for parent feedback. Parents and students
would be able to talk about their day while working on
social skills and conversation skills.
All of Dana’s
tools and resources followed ABA (Applied Behavioral
Anyalsis). ABA is a treatment methodology pioneered by D.
Ivar Lovasas and based on theories of operant conditioning
by B.F. Skinner.
·
Applied:
principles used with people in all types of environments
that have social significance to the individual or to
society.
·
Behavior:
an observable and measurable act or movement that is the
focus of intervention.
·
Analysis:
measurement of data collection used to assess the effects of
an intervention or strategy.
Aleksandr,
(co-founder) observed the countless hours Dana spent on
creating her own materials along with her knowledge and love
for children on the spectrum. Together they began
Teach Autism to assist
teachers, families and children. Our goal is to increase
awareness and knowledge of children who fall on the autistic
spectrum or have development delays. Our materials are
created to be motivating and engaging to people with autism.
Teach Autism understands that every child is unique and
their needs vary. That is why we provide a selection of
customized products. We make sure our materials are top
quality, affordable and enjoyed by all that are engaged with
them. We always seek for greatness in those with autism.
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