Here is a link to a previous post, Sticker Cards, that I did showing how to make what I call sticker number cards. These are modeled after a deck of cards but because I make them with stickers and colored index cards, they can be made quite easily to go with the theme we are doing in My Obstacle Course. I love ideas or things that I can make and keep to use in a variety of ways to expand on concepts and skills as his knowledge and abilities expand. In the past I have used these cards to work … [Read more...] about Greater Than/Less Than Using Sticker Cards
autism
Tweezers
This is one of my all time favorite discoveries! I was looking for ways to build Andrew’s pincer grasp for handwriting and began using tweezers because they require using the same fingers and muscles for grasping a pencil. I paired the tweezers with colored puffs in different sizes because he would have to squeeze his fingers differently depending on the size of the puff. At first he would put the puff in the tweezers with his other hand and I had to help him using hand over hand. While it seems … [Read more...] about Tweezers
Using Timers for Motivation and Self Regulation
I am someone who LOVES (and needs) to use a timer. I tend to get distracted easily (wonder where Andrew gets it from!) but there is something about a timer that helps me to focus. It is great because when the timer is on, I think, "Ok, I can do ___ for x amount of time." It seems like the same is true with Andrew. If there is something that he is not really into or is avoiding while doing My Obstacle Course, I will bring out a timer and say, “Ok, let’s see how much we can do before the timer … [Read more...] about Using Timers for Motivation and Self Regulation
Emotion/Feeling Stamps
We received these stamps as a Christmas gift this year and they are awesome! They allow us to build the fine motor skill of stamping while talking about and modeling different situations that might result in different feelings. We are definitely going to be using these in an upcoming My Obstacle Course, primarily because Andrew asked me just the other day, "Can you have hurt feelings?" He had been sick with the flu and then got an ear infection so we have been talking about hurt tummies, ears … [Read more...] about Emotion/Feeling Stamps
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning is one of my favorite websites to find thematic materials and ideas to use in My Obstacle Courses. I began using the site years ago while teaching because they have thematic materials for multiple grade/age levels and all academic areas. The information and activities are well organized and have great information for children to are ready to do research (click here for an example of their resource material). While there is some free material for those who would like to … [Read more...] about Enchanted Learning