Fresh Start

Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to put the brakes on the way we are doing things, and make a fresh start.

That happened in our autism classrooms in January. After trying a new way of scheduling in the Fall, we shared honestly about what was working well and what we wanted to change. We've been in our new routine for a week and a half now. The difference was a great improvement with immediate results.

I have found that in teaching students with autism, I have to be willing to take a risk and try new things. Some of them don't work so well. Others are surprisingly successful, and even open new doors of opportunities.

Here are a few things I've picked up along the way as I step out to try something new:

1. Think about it for a while. I often get new ideas from others online or from other teachers and classrooms. Sometimes ideas just pop in my head. But when I do move forward to implement something, it never looks exactly like what someone else does. Giving myself some think time allows an idea to simmer and shape into something that is specialized for my class.

2. Start small. I am a global thinker, so I often think big. I think of all the possibilities of an idea. But when I start with something, I start with just a piece, allow it to grow, and then develop and reshape as we move forward. 

3. Share ideas with others. When I'm beginning to think that i'd like to implement an idea, I start talking to people I trust. These are people who know me and my passion for teaching students with autism and are good listeners. If I say it out loud, it helps me hear the idea in a new way. The reactions of my listeners is important to me. Sometimes I get other ideas from them that I hadn't thought about.

4. Network. I think with others we can always be better than we can by ourselves. When I am moving toward implementation of an idea, I think about how I can get others involved. That doesn't mean putting something else on their plate, but giving them an opportunity to be a part of what is happening and sharing in the results. Even when things don't work out like I had expected, I always find positive outcomes. 

5. Modify. Or drop it. I'm not afraid to discontinue something that doesn't feel or work right as I get into it. Often with modification, the idea can be molded into something else I hadn't originally planned.

6 Share success. I like to keep parents aware of the new things we are doing and how their children are growing and experiencing new things. Students with autism don't share experiences with their parents like other students may. I also want parents to see the potential in their chidlren through new experiences they may not get to try at home.

7. Build on success. I learn with successes and with ideas that are not what I would consider successful. But I use what I learn as I move forward--either by continuing with  my new venture or trying something new.

All in all, my students have been exposed to and learned new things because of my willingness to step out and take a risk. It's not the easiest route for me, but I wholeheartedly believe that it's best for my students.

So as I reflect on the school year so far, I'm encouraged as we move forward with some new opportunities for my students. I already have a few ideas brewing in different stages--new ideas--new experiences--new learning!

More good things to come,

Jean 
​www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Autism-Resources-By-Jean-K-Lawson