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

Strategies for Inclusion

Strengthening Inclusive Practices

1. Assemble a leadership team that represents key stakeholders including:

   • General ed teacher from each grade level
   • Special education case managers
   • SLP, OT, and PT
   • Paraprofessionals
   • Reading specialists
   • Special ed administrator
   • Parents and at least one student.

2. Plan to keep parents informed through monthly updates, information sessions, and discussions about inclusive education.

3. Collect resources by identifying key books, research articles, and videos for the team to engage with together.

4. Visit a local inclusive school to witness inclusion in action.

5. Hold professional development workshops focusing on best practices, collaborative teaming, UDL, adaptations, and positive behavior supports.

10 Steps to Jumpstarting Inclusion

1. Block out time for instructional planning.
2. Designate planning days over the summer.
3. Develop IEPs aligned with state standards.
4. Create a staffing schedule for in-class support.
5. Encourage parental engagement before school starts.

4 Things Principals of Great Inclusive Schools Do

1. Set a bold, clear vision of full inclusion.
2. Develop and support teams of professionals.
3. Reduce fragmentation in services.
4. Engage in collaborative team planning.

Autistic Students

1. Designate Low-Congestion Areas

   • Keep high-traffic areas away from student desks.

2. Designate Quiet Study Areas

   • Work with staff to create quiet zones for students who need breaks from noise.

3. Active Learning Areas

   • Provide space where students can learn actively without disrupting others.

Supporting Executive Function Skills

1. Recognize symptoms of executive function difficulties: disorganization, crashes in focus, withdrawal.
2. Implement Unstuck and On Target, a program designed to enhance executive function skills with engaging activities.
3. Provide strategies for organization, project management, and goal setting to help students succeed.

Getting Started with UDL

1. Engagement: Provide multiple means to engage students emotionally.
2. Representation: Use various methods to present information to students.
3. Action and Expression: Encourage different ways for students to demonstrate understanding.

Making the Most of Co-Teaching

1. Ensure both educators' names are visible in the classroom and through communication with families.
2. Collaboratively plan lessons.
3. Regularly switch teaching roles to keep lessons dynamic.

Conclusion

Encourage educators to continuously reflect, adapt, and refine their practices to meet the diverse needs of all learners, fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment.