In this episode, we chat about Behavior Skills Training (BST) and its critical role in equipping educational teams to effectively support students with autism. BST is broken down into four key components: Instruction, Modeling, Rehearsal, and Feedback. We start by explaining the significance of BST in developing and maintaining effective teaching strategies. The Instruction phase is highlighted for its importance in providing clear and concise directions, using visuals, and demonstrating materials. The Modeling phase emphasizes showing specific behaviors or techniques with either students or adults.

Next, the Rehearsal phase is defined as the opportunity for team members to practice new skills, with suggestions for creating these practice opportunities. The Feedback phase is discussed for its crucial role in offering constructive and supportive feedback to improve performance. We also address common challenges teams might face, such as time constraints and comfort levels, and provide solutions to these issues. The episode concludes with a summary of the key points, reiterating the importance of each BST phase in fostering a well-trained, cohesive educational team.

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Episode summary: In this episode of Autism Academy 360, Lisa Hollady delves into the importance and implementation of visual supports in special education classrooms. Visual supports play a crucial role in enhancing communication, easing transitions, and creating a smoother daily routine for students. Lisa outlines the benefits of visual supports, particularly for students with Autism, and offers practical tips for effectively using visuals in the classroom. From setting up daily schedules to using choice boards, this episode provides actionable strategies for educators to increase student independence and reduce classroom challenges.

Episode Highlights:

• Benefits of Visual Supports: Visual aids improve communication, provide structure, and help manage transitions, leading to a smoother school day for students with and without disabilities.
• Importance for Autism: Visual supports are especially beneficial for students with Autism. They help decrease transition difficulties, increase independence, and reduce auditory clutter, which can enhance overall classroom behavior and communication.
• Practical Implementation Tips: Lisa shares actionable tips for using visual supports, including starting with a daily schedule, using generic visuals for crises, and providing visual choices to give students a sense of control.
• Supporting Specials with Visuals: Using visual schedules and step-by-step boards during specials like art, music, and PE can help students navigate these challenging transitions and activities more effectively.

Resources Mentioned:

• Task Box Visual Labels for Independent Work Stations
• Visual Schedules
• Visual Aids
• Token Boards

In this episode, we share five essential behavior tips to help teachers support students with autism at the start of the school year. The first tip is to pair yourself with positive reinforcement, a strategy discussed in depth in episode 9. Getting to know the child is the second tip, emphasizing the importance of conducting preference assessments, spending time with the student, and communicating with their parents. The third tip advises against overwhelming students with too many directions and activities at once, recommending a simple and gradual approach with regular breaks.

The fourth tip stresses the importance of using visual aids from day one. Teachers are encouraged to have visual schedules ready and to model their use, rather than waiting to see what the students might need. The final tip is to reinforce good behavior immediately, whether through a token economy, verbal praise, or allowing students to earn rewards. This positive reinforcement should be tailored to each student and evolve throughout the year, but it must begin on the first day.

Resources Mentioned:

• Token Boards
• Visual Schedules
• Visual directions

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 9

Connect with Us:

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• Lisa at @chalkboard_superhero
• Abby at @mrs_moes_modifications

Join my our Facebook groups

• Abby’s at Mrs. Moes Speducators
• Lisa’s at Special Education Superheroes

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• Join Lisa’s here
• Join Abby’s here

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