In this student-centered, ongoing class, students with cognitive disabilities such as autism, intellectual disabilities, or communication disorders will practice reciprocal communication skills through fun and engaging "show and talk" activities. The goal of this fun, no-pressure, class is to help students learn to interact with peers while sharing their ideas related to the week's theme in a safe and nurturing environment. They are also welcome to bring something to class to show the class and talk about it.

Each class begins with happy greetings, followed by sharing the weather outside and our own emotional weather. We will spend some time on the theme by viewing short video clips or other visuals as appropriate. Students will be prompted by the teacher to initiate conversations with others appropriately and practice manners and kindness during games.

Each week will have a different theme. Students will be given the theme for the next week at the end of each session. Mrs. Akins will also communicate the theme by posting it on the class communication wall. We will explore themes such as food, our obsessions, and fascinations, our talents, things that make us laugh, jokes, pranks, pets, cartoons, transportation, space exploration, collectibles, superheroes, animals, fashion, and any other favorite things students may suggest. 

Here are the coming weeks' topics. If students request a different theme, I will change a week at their request, but I will always let you know ahead of time.

Each session will include activities that help students learn skills in initiating conversations, refraining from interrupting, staying on the same subject, and other important learning social skills. The class is structured similarly to a morning meeting and we will warm up with the weather. We will practice both our listening and presenting skills. Mrs. Akins will use her years of experience as a special education teacher and autism mom to twins (now 27!) to elicit language from students. 

Students who use communication devices are welcome! 

Parents are welcome to sit nearby and assist those students who need help or need prompts. 

I look forward to meeting you soon!

May 15 - Attentiveness. Why is attentiveness important? What animals are the most attentive? How can we be more attentive? How does attentiveness keep us safe?

May 22 - It's a good thing that Walking Day and Deep Dish Pizza Day are on the same day! What should we do to make good choices about this day? How many pieces of pizza should we eat? Do you know how many calories are in a slice of pizza? How long does it take to burn those calories? 

May 29 - Okay, don't get too excited, but it's Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day! I love Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, don't you? How many ways can we make one? We'll learn how there's more than one way to do things and that's okay. Flexibility is the topic!

June 1 - It's Look Alike Week! Dress up to look like someone or something! (It's not required!) We'll talk about things that match, that go together, and things that don't. We'll talk about being flexible and not getting upset when things don't match. 

June 8 - It's Pretzel Day! Pretzels remind us to be flexible. Sometimes our thinking gets rigid. We'll talk about how we can be flexible about topics, events, and the way things might go in a day. Flexibility helps us to be calm and to self-regulate appropriately. 

I can hardly wait to see you! 
Happy Learning! 
Mrs. Akins