TeachersFirst: Resources about Autism and Aspergers

Title: Resources on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Asperger's

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Autism Spectrum Disorders: Primer for Parents and Educators Grade K to 12 - National Association of School Psychologists- 7743

This introductory article explains basic characteristics of autism and Asperger's, major treatment considerations, and IEP suggestions. Tough ostensibly for parents, the language is mostly that of educators and psychologists, so some interpretation may be needed for many parents to fully understand. The article includes a few resource links at the end. Note that this article dates form 2004 and does not reflect the 2007 release of new statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on autism prevalence. The file requires Acrobat Reader. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
No classroom teacher can be expected to be an expert on autism, but this site may help you understand some of what you see and some of the more recent information about autism, especially since few teachers receive much training about this in their teacher-ed programs. If you have students in your classes with autism, ask your principal if you can spend part of an inservice day reading and exploring this and other TeachersFirst resources listings on autism. This independent study may save your sanity and benefit students who really need our understanding.

Autism Society of America Grade K to 12 - ASA- 7744

This information clearing house, the self-described "voice of the autism community" provides much-needed information on autism and related disorders. At this site you can explore About Autism, Life with Autism, Research & Programs, Autism Communities, and more! You can also sign up to receive e-newsletters, learn about fundraising opportunities, and find many tips for parents and teachers. This site is recommended in articles by the National Association of School Psychologists, a helpful endorsement in distinguishing among many web sites dealing with autism.

In the Classroom:
Use this site to learn the basics about autism. No classroom teacher can be expected to be an expert on autism, but this site may help you understand some of what you see and some of the more recent information about autism, especially since few teachers receive much training about this in their teacher-ed programs. If you have students in your classes with autism, ask your principal if you can spend part of an inservice day reading and exploring this and other TeachersFirst resources listings on autism. This independent study may save your sanity and benefit students who really need our understanding. This is a great resource to provide to parents!

TeachersFirst Resources on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Asperger's Grade K to 12 - TeachersFirst- 9698

This collection of reviewed resources will help you to better understand these students with special challenges and find strategies for working with them in your classroom.

In the Classroom:
Share this collection with parents and colleagues using the "email this" link.

Organization for Autism Research Grade K to 12 - Organization for Autism Research- 7030

If you are looking for information on autism or Asperger's Syndrome, this organization's resources and information will be very helpful. You can find general background information, downloadable "guides" and worksheets for parents and educators, and current research. The guides include advice on how to "be a savvy customer of autism sources of information," a wise idea when investigating a topic with such emotion and so much in the forefront at this time. Some of the printables require Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Look under "Resources" for Recommended Reading. The "Education and Service Providers" section offers a great starting point for teachers! These downloadable files can be read only or printed out to share with concerned parties. Share this link on your class website, for parents to easily find and investigate.

Autism Resources Grade K to 12 - - 1960

This is an unusually complete directory of autism resources for teachers, parents, and others who interact with autistic children. The content includes numerous teaching and behavioral strategies, links to additional resources, support information, and networking opportunities. This is a great resource for everything from basic definitions to options for teaching strategies. This site offers a number of links. Some of the links do require Adobe Acrobat or Flash. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Save this site in your professional favorites. This site has an enormous amount of information about autism and Asperger's. Provide this link on your class website. Use this site to find new strategies to understand, encourage, and help your autistic students succeed in class.

OASIS: Tips For Teaching High Functioning People With Autism Grade K to 12 - Susan Moreno and Carol O'Neal- 7774

O.A.S.I.S. (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) presents this simple list of strategies that work with students who have Asperger's or Autism Spectrum disorders. These explanations and strategies are understandable and practical for classroom teachers and anyone who works with these students, including cafeteria workers or Sunday School teachers! Take the time to help yourself help these enigmatic kids. It will help you understand WHY they do some of the things they do and WHY you should approach tasks a certain way.

In the Classroom:
If you have students with autism, ask for some time to review this set of strategies during your next inservice day and brainstorm with other teachers on ways your school building can incorporate some of these more systematically, especially since recent reports have shown drastic increases in autism spectrum disorders in our schools. Special ed teachers will want to share this page with the other adults in their building as an "FYI." Why not provide the link on your class or school website?

About Autism- A Parent's Perspective Grade K to 12 - Martin and Nicki Courtney- 7745

This site, written by parents of an autistic child in the UK, presents a parent perspective on autism and the issues and questions that arise for parents. Although not "endorsed" by a professional organization, the site includes many coping strategies and techniques that have worked for this family and is frequently updated with new ideas. They include downloadable pdf files for schedules and other devices to help children with autism and an ongoing diary of the strategies they have tried. The "jargon explained" section is especially helpful for the lay person, including many teachers untrained about autism. The authors are emphatic that their site is not intended as professional or diagnostic advice. This site requires Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
This site presents the human side of one case of autism. Teachers who have an autistic child in their class can learn from the anecdotal information about the child and also about parental reactions and stresses. Ask your principal to allow you to spend part of a professional day reading through this and other resources on autism listed on TeachersFirst. You and your student will benefit.

Autism4teachers Grade K to 12 - Autism4teachers.com- 9129

This comprehensive website, written by four teachers, offers an excellent starting point and whets the appetite for anyone seriously looking into autism. Autism4teachers offers a snapshot of many of the current and research-based concepts in the area of autism. The information provides enough information to enable you to research even further. There are numerous specific topics highlighted at this website including Communication, Social Skills, Classroom Structure, TEACCH, Inclusion, Behavioral Support, Parent Support, Visual Support, Community Support, Autism Awareness, Assistive Technology, Sensory Based Activity Room, Thematic Units, Data Sheets, & several others. Don't miss the MANY lesson ideas and activities provided with the topics. This website requires Windows Media Player. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use this free website (and the many tips) to help your autistic students succeed, whether you are in a regular classroom or special ed. Share this link in your class newsletter and on your class website. Be sure to provide this link to any colleagues helping autistic students in and out of the classroom.

Autism Reveals Social Roots of Language Grade K to 12 - NPR- Jon Hamilton - 7083

This article (or online broadcast) from NPR explains new research about autism, language, and social functioning. The article is from 2006. The brain-based approach explains the research in layman's terms. This could be a very helpful article as you struggle to understand an autistic child in your classroom or try to help your teaching peers understand your students, if you are a special ed teacher. There is an attention-grabbing interactive to help you visualize. This site require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Be sure to list this link on your class website. The interactive would be ideal for an in-service (or independent) exploration.

Kids and Reading Grade K to 8 - John Rowlinson, Kids and Reading, UK- 9457

Geared to teaching parents about reading, this site offers a great review of reading methods, classroom methods, special concerns (i.e. ADHD, autism), booklists, motivation, tool and techniques to use, etc. Even though it is a British site, it is totally applicable to the USA and other areas throughout the world. You will find a wealth of information to share with your students’ parents at Open House and throughout the year. There are some minor advertisements at this site (all related to the topic).

In the Classroom:
Sign up for the newsletter to receive new information every month. Provide the link to this site in your class newsletter or on your class website, so parents can sign-up for the newsletter also (and use the free resources).

Google News Grade K to 12 - Google- 7934

Google News provides a quick way to find news stories from all over the globe, including print media, television, and web articles on any topic you enter. Use Google search terms just as you would for a general Internet search. you can also customize your Google News page to "serve up" topics of interest to you, assuming you have an iGoogle account.

In the Classroom:
Create a special iGoogle account for your classroom computer (use an "extra" email account and keep the password secret from students to avoid "clever" changes to the choices on the account). Then set up specialized Google News searches for topics relevant to what you teach: biodiversity, current events topics that connect to your curriculum, or even your school name. Set your iGoogle new page as the computer's home page and you have an instant "connection" to the real world right in your classroom. You can also customize Google News to education topics of interest to you for professional growth, such as special education, autism, NCLB, etc. Social studies teachers will also want to compare news articles collected on Google News for a current topic to help students see that news coverage is not always balanced. Ask students to compare articles from within the U.S. and those on the same topic written in other countries or by varied sources.

E-Ready Special Education Resources Grade 1 to 12 - TeachersFirst- 1144

TeachersFirst offers a major collection of resources and information for teachers and parents of special education students.

In the Classroom:
This section includes teaching strategies, lesson ideas, and detailed information on meeting the needs of special education students within the rubrics of the IDEA legislation.

Pete's Powerpoint Station Grade K to 12 - mrdonn and phillip martin- 9803

Need a PowerPoint? Check this site first to find one on a topic you need from the vast array available. The free PowerPoints and interactive activities are easily downloaded. To find the FREE PowerPoint presentations, click on the FREE Presentations in PowerPoint Format link found directly under the red train. There are literally hundreds of topics (over 1,200 at the time of this review). Topics are listed in alphabetical order. There are so many topics: Plagiarism, Integers, Interjections, IQ Tests, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Graphic Organizers, Graphs, Gold Rush, the Bible, Economics, Amelia Earhart (and many other heroes), Descriptive Writing, Coral Reefs, Civil Rights Movement, Autism, Ancient Civilizations, Presidents, Louisiana Purchase, Money, Music Instruments, How to Write an Outline, Rosa Parks, Resumes, Terrorism, Vietnam War, and many MANY others. Primary teachers will appreciate simple activities on Dolch words and other sight vocabulary! Pages are arranged in topics such as "Plants and Animals," "World History," "Biology, Chemistry, and Physics," and "Problem Solving." Each page includes a vast array of subtopics. Other links on the page include "Greta's Game Station" and "Hannah's Help" which offers information on researching. Some of the links at “Greta’s Game Station” require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use these PowerPoints to provide background information for projects or further inquiry in class. For example, use a PowerPoint on cells to give background information. Create questions for students to answer while viewing the PowerPoint or add your own "lecture" notes while showing to a class. Remember that PowerPoint does not HAVE to be shown on a screen. Students can watch them as tutorials at a center or computer cluster. Learning support teachers will appreciate having an alternate way to present basic concepts to visual learners. Assign students a particular cell part to research more information about the part.