If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what skills should you assess before writing IEP goals, you’re not alone. Knowing what skills should you assess before writing IEP goals can make the difference between writing goals that truly address a student’s needs and writing goals that miss important skill gaps. While
If you’re working in an autism or ABA classroom, teaching functional self help and life skills to adolescents with autism quickly becomes one of the most important (and often most challenging) parts of your day. These aren’t just “extra” skills. They are the foundation for independence, dignity, and long-term success
Teaching functional math and reading skills for students with autism often looks very different from following a traditional grade-level curriculum. In many self-contained and special education classrooms, the goal isn’t to “keep up” with standards that may not be meaningful or accessible, it’s to help students build skills they can
When teachers reach out to me for help, one of the most common sticking points is preschool inclusion IEP goals. Writing goals for young learners in inclusive settings can feel overwhelming. You are balancing developmental expectations, behavior needs, and real classroom routines all at once. Add in data collection and
When you’re juggling multiple students with varying needs, it can feel impossible to decide whether a student truly requires full-time paraprofessional support- or if it might be time to fade that assistance. That’s where a paraprofessional support data tracker becomes an essential tool. Instead of relying on anecdotes or “gut
As a BCBA®, you know that a high-quality Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) sets the foundation for an effective behavior intervention plan. But between assessments, staff training, and progress monitoring, it’s easy to feel buried in paperwork. That’s exactly why I started using a (and eventually creating my own) functional behavior
Writing strong, measurable goals can be one of the biggest challenges in special education. That’s why having an IEP goal bank for special education is a game-changer- it gives you a library of ready-to-use goals while still allowing customization for each learner’s needs. When I first started writing IEPs, I
Teaching play skills to students with autism is more than just a way to fill free time—it’s a critical step in fostering social, communication, and independent living skills. Play is how children explore the world, connect with others, and develop creativity. For students with autism, these skills often do not
Functional skills are essential for helping students in special education achieve independence and succeed in their daily lives. When writing IEP goals, starting with a thorough assessment of these skills allows you to identify strengths, address areas of need, and focus on the most meaningful targets for instruction. Functional IEP
When it comes to teaching functional math and reading skills in autism classrooms, standardized curriculums often fall short. These programs are rarely designed to meet the unique needs of learners with autism or developmental disabilities, leaving us teachers to piece together resources that truly work. Instead of focusing on abstract
Guest Blogger: Audra Jensen, M.Ed., BCBA Navigating the early years of education for a child with special needs requires a thoughtful approach to their individual learning style. Cognitive IEP goals are a cornerstone of this journey, creating a roadmap for success in preschool and on. Let’s look at the importance
In autism and ABA classrooms, the use of special education assessments is crucial because each student’s learning style, pace, and needs are uniquely different. A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. Standardized curricula, while useful in some contexts, often fail to address the individual strengths and challenges of learners with autism