In this final episode of Autism Academy 360, Lisa reflects on the heart of special education—the why behind what we do. Teaching students with Autism isn’t just about academics or behavior plans; it’s about changing lives, creating opportunities, and fostering independence. Lisa and Abby share personal stories, encourage educators to hold onto their "why," and remind us that every small victory in the classroom makes a lasting impact.

Though Autism Academy 360 is coming to an end, this isn’t goodbye! Stay connected with Lisa at Lisa@chalkboardsuperhero.com and on all platforms as @ChalkboardSuperhero for more strategies, resources, and support. And Abby at Abby@MrsMoesModicfications.com and everywhere @MrsMoesModifications

🎧 Listen in for an inspiring send-off and a reminder of why this work matters!

Ever felt like no matter what reward you offer, it just doesn’t seem to motivate your students? You’re not alone! In this episode, we tackle what to do when reinforcers don’t seem to work and how to troubleshoot effectively.

We’ll cover:

• Reinforcement Schedules: Why you might need to deliver reinforcement faster or adjust how often and when it’s given.
• Magnitude of Reinforcement: Ensuring the reward matches the effort required for the task.
• Skill Gaps: How missing skills or readiness can prevent reinforcement from being effective—and how to teach step by step.
• Reinforcer Effectiveness: Checking whether your reinforcer is still motivating and how to conduct preference assessments.
• Intrinsic Motivation: How to get there

You’ll leave with practical tips to refine your approach and turn reinforcement challenges into success. Listen in for actionable strategies to get behavior back on track!

Resources Mentioned

• Preference Assessment

Connect with Us:

Instagram

• 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

Join our Email Lists

• Join Lisa’s here
• Join Abby’s here

Shop on TPT

• Abby’s store
• Lisa’s store

In this episode of Autism Academy 360, we tackle one of the most challenging dynamics in classrooms, homes, and relationships—power struggles. From identifying why these conflicts arise to practical, actionable steps for preventing them, Lisa shares six proven strategies to create a more positive and cooperative environment.

Whether you're a teacher managing a tricky classroom situation or a parent navigating a standoff at home, these tips will empower you to break free from the cycle of conflict. Learn how to reframe challenges, offer meaningful choices, use transitions effectively, and more to foster understanding and collaboration in all areas of your life.

Resources Mentioned:

• Visual Timers
• Visual Aids

The holiday season is magical but can also turn your classroom into chaos! In this episode, we tackle how to keep kids on task and behaviors in check while managing the excitement of the season.

You’ll discover strategies to:

• Set Clear Expectations: Use visual schedules and holiday-themed behavior trackers to keep kids focused.
• Incorporate Holiday Cheer: Add festive twists to lessons with themed writing prompts, Boom Cards, and crafts tied to learning goals.
• Maintain Consistency: Stick to your usual routines but add holiday flair with fun transition cues like bells or songs.
• Manage Tasks and Energy: Break activities into smaller chunks and balance movement breaks with calming moments like coloring or music.

We’ll also discuss proactive behavior management tips, such as reinforcing positive behaviors with festive rewards and staying flexible yet firm with expectations. Finally, we’ll share practical self-care tips to help you recharge and enjoy the holiday season without feeling overwhelmed. Tune in and take on the holidays with confidence!

Resources Mentioned:

• Classroom Holiday Themed Reinforcement Chart
• Holiday Adapted books
• Holiday Boom Cards
• Holiday worksheets

Connect with Us:

Instagram

• 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

Join our Email Lists

• Join Lisa’s here
• Join Abby’s here

Shop on TPT

• Abby’s store
• Lisa’s store

In Episode 46 of Autism Academy, Lisa shares creative ways to use adaptive books in the autism classroom.

Adapted books are so much more than just reading tools—they’re game-changers in the autism classroom. Whether you’re using them for homework, 1:1 instruction, speech therapy, or even as a calming activity, adapted books fit seamlessly into so many parts of the day. From morning work to small groups to cross-curricular lessons, they create engaging and meaningful learning experiences tailored to each student’s unique needs. Plus, they’re perfect for building independence, boosting sensory engagement, and teaching real-world skills—all while supporting academic growth!

Resources Mentioned:

• Short Story Adapted Books
• Adapted book bundle

In this episode of Autism Academy 360, we sit down with Speech-Language Pathologist Ashley Bird to explore the world of gestalt language processing. Ashley sheds light on what it means to be a gestalt language processor—a unique way some individuals, especially children with autism, learn and use language. Rather than picking up words one by one, gestalt language processors often acquire language in chunks or “gestalts,” which can show up as echolalia or scripting.

Ashley discusses the characteristics that teachers and parents might notice in children who are gestalt language processors, including behaviors that are often misunderstood. We dive into how echolalia can be a powerful communication tool and a crucial stepping stone toward more independent language use, as well as practical strategies teachers and parents can use to support these children in the classroom and at home.

Ashley also tackles common misconceptions about gestalt language processing, providing insights on how we can better understand and support these unique learners. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or caregiver, this episode offers valuable tools and perspectives for supporting meaningful communication and growth in children who process language differently.

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: @ashleybellebird

Additional Resources:

Meaningful Speech

Child Led SLP

Connect with Us:

Instagram

• 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

Join our Email Lists

• Join Lisa’s here
• Join Abby’s here

Shop on TPT

• Abby’s store
• Lisa’s store

In this episode of Autism Academy 360, host Lisa Hollady tackles a common challenge in special education classrooms: elopement behaviors. Lisa breaks down elopement as actions students might take to avoid tasks or instructions and highlights the value of collecting ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) data to understand what drives these behaviors. She shares five practical strategies to reduce and manage elopement, like teaching students to request breaks, using visual schedules, offering choices, preparing students for transitions with timers, and using differential reinforcement. Each strategy aims to support students in a positive, structured way, making the classroom a safe, productive space for everyone.

In this episode of Autism Academy 360, we dive into the key differences between breaks and rewards and how they can both play a critical role in managing classroom behaviors. For many students, especially those with autism, understanding when to use breaks and when to offer rewards can be a game-changer in maintaining a calm, productive learning environment.

We'll explore how breaks serve as an essential tool for preventing meltdowns by allowing students to regulate their emotions, and how rewards help reinforce positive behaviors, motivating students to keep moving forward. You’ll learn why both strategies are important and how they can be used in tandem to support students' individual needs.

Plus, we’ll give practical tips for balancing these approaches in real-life classroom scenarios, helping teachers create a structured, supportive environment that encourages positive behavior and self-regulation. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, this episode will provide insights and actionable strategies to help you manage behaviors more effectively.

Resources Mentioned

Token boards

Behavior contracts

Connect with Us:

Instagram

• 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

Join our Email Lists

• Join Lisa’s here
• Join Abby’s here

Shop on TPT

• Abby’s store
• Lisa’s store