Tips, Insights, & Resources for Educators and School Leaders

Special Education Toolkit

INSIDE, find tips and resources on:

• Inclusive Practices
• Adaptations
• Autistic Students
• Executive Function
• Universal Design for Learning
• Co-Teaching

Meet every learner’s needs: this year and beyond

In challenging times, what can you do to advance inclusion and meet every student’s unique learning needs, this year and far beyond? We’ve gathered some practical tips for you, straight from our expert authors on special and inclusive education. On the next pages, explore strategies and guidance on:

• Strengthening Inclusive Practices
• Using Adaptations
• Teaching Students on the Autism Spectrum
• Supporting Executive Function
• Getting Started with UDL
• Making the Most of Co-Teaching

Strengthening inclusive practices

1. Assemble a leadership team that represents key stakeholders:
   • Include a general ed teacher from each grade level; special education case managers; the SLP, OT, and PT; paraprofessionals; your reading specialist; special ed administrator; several parents; and at least one student.
2. Plan to keep parents informed.
3. Collect resources: Identify key books, research articles, and videos that the leadership team will read and watch together.
4. Visit a local inclusive school.
5. Hold professional development workshops focusing on best practices, collaborative teaming, UDL, adaptations, and positive behavior supports.

10 Steps to Jumpstarting Inclusion

Adapted from It’s More Than “Just Being In” by Cheryl M. Jorgensen

• Block out time for instructional planning.
• Designate planning days over the summer.
• Develop IEPs that align with state standards.
• Create a staffing schedule for special ed teachers.
• Encourage before-school get-togethers.

4 Things Principals of Great Inclusive Schools Do

• Set a bold, clear vision of full inclusion.
• Develop and support teams of professionals.
• Reduce fragmentation.
• Engage in collaborative team planning.

Adapted from The Principal’s Handbook for Leading Inclusive Schools by Julie Causton & George Theoharis

15 Indicators of Authentic Membership in the Classroom

• The student attends the school they would attend if they did not have a disability.
• The student’s class and other activities include a natural proportion of students with and without disabilities.
• The student is a valued member of an age-appropriate general education class.
• The student’s name is on all class lists.
• The student participates in school routines in typical locations.

8 Little Ways to Be More Inclusive

• Prime students for transitions before a change happens.
• Model a calm demeanor during transitions.
• Switch up your lighting.
• Incorporate music and movement in lessons.
• Acquire a variety of diverse books.
• Incorporate a child's favorite toy into activities.
• Ask the student for input.
• Break up whole-group instruction.

6 Things Your Students with Disabilities Want You to Do

• Notice and appreciate what I’m good at.
• Ask (and listen to) me and my family if you have questions.
• Teach me interesting stuff in ways I can understand.
• Listen to what my behavior is trying to say.
• Give me opportunities to get to know my peers.
• Believe I can be something great when I grow up.

5 Types of Instructional Adaptations for Your Inclusive Classroom

1. Alter the instructional arrangement.
2. Alter the physical or social environment.
3. Alter the process or task.
4. Alter your methods and materials.
5. Alter the level of personal assistance.

Getting Started with Modifications

By Nicole Eredics, author of Inclusion in Action

• Begin with the right mindset and presume competence.
• Identify and align goals that need to be taught.
• Plan a lesson that teaches both aligned grade-level and modified goals.
• Use high-leverage instructional strategies to engage students in learning.

4 Study Strategies for Students Who Struggle with Executive Function

• Teach study skills explicitly.
• Have dedicated study times and places.
• Teach learning strategies.
• Position yourself as a partner in learning.

Supporting students on the autism spectrum

3 Ways to Maximize Learning Spaces for Autistic Students

1. Designate Low-Congestion Areas.
2. Designate Quiet Study Areas.
3. Designate Active Learning Areas.

Final Thoughts

Get these resources for more on teaching autistic students and other critical topics in inclusive and special education.