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Hi! I am Allison. I am an Intervention Specialist and Certified Autism Specialist with nearly 20 years of experience working with students with autism and low-incidence disabilities.

I taught in an elementary special education classroom where I created countless individualized supports, organizational tools, and differentiated activities for my students before transitioning to my current position on an autism and low-incidence coaching team where I have had the pleasure of meeting and helping teachers in hundreds of classrooms in the Dayton, Ohio area. I am passionate about special education and helping teachers!

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Featured Post

Boost Literacy Skills with Predictable Chart Writing πŸ“ + Freebie! πŸ™ƒ

Hi Reader! Are you looking for an inclusive, effective way to support literacy in your classroom? Predictable chart writing is a research-backed strategy that benefits all students, including those with complex learning needs, by fostering confidence, engagement, and language connections. This approach is particularly effective for students with disabilities because it: Provides structure and repetition, reducing cognitive load. Supports differentiated instruction and multisensory learning....

6 days agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read

Hi Reader! Does the busy holiday season have you struggling to get your lesson plans organized? I have been there! Planning around holiday parties, special concerts, and festive surprises can be exhausting. I have two thematic units in my TPT store that can help ease that anxiety! You can grab my Christmas unit or my Holiday Traditions unit featuring Kwanzaa, Hannukah, and Christmas traditions. Or grab one of my December bundles and save! Want to see more ideas on how I incorporated these...

13 days agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read

Hi Reader! Were you too busy snagging deals yesterday to head to TPT? That's alright because the Cyber Sale doesn't end until 11:59pm ET on Tuesday, December 2nd so you still have time! Not sure what you want to get? Find everything you need for this holiday season below: Gingerbread Thematic Unit: I always start December off with teaching about gingerbread. These 12 fun activities are the perfect start to the holiday season. Christmas Thematic Unit: These 12 thematic activites are hands-on...

14 days agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read

Hi Reader! The holiday season is here! Are you making your list and checking it twice? πŸŽ… Make sure you add β€œSHOP TPT SALE” to the top of your list! πŸ“ƒ Starting today, every single resource in my store is 25% off! Just use the TPT promo code: CYBER25 to save 25% on all my resources, including my favorite bundles. Don’t procrastinate! This sale starts TODAY Monday, December 1st and ends Tuesday, December 2nd at 11:59 PM EST. Not sure where to start saving? βœ…Check out my best sellers below and...

15 days agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read

Hi Reader! The Science of Reading is an important focus of the education world. But for many special education teachers, it can be hard to know how it applies to our learners with the most complex and significant needs. Last year I did a deep dive into Comprehensive Literacy for All by Karen Erickson Ph.D and David Koppenhaver Ph.D. and I assure you this is a MUST-READ for teachers in the self-contained classroom! It provides Science of Reading research specific to our students with...

20 days agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read

Hi Reader! Can you believe it is already time to teach about gingerbread?!?! Okay maybe you've never taught about gingerbread but keep reading so I can convince you why you should!! Some of my favorite gingerbread activities this time of year include: making cinnamon playdoh... it's a hit with my sensory seekers! πŸ™Œ making a class book modeled after The Gingerbread Man πŸ“– creating gingerbread ornaments to gift to all of the support staff in the building 🎁 To learn more Gingerbread Activities in...

27 days agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read

Hi Reader! In early intervention settings, Structured Play Groups are a perfect, developmentally-appropriate evidence-based practice for autistic students and can be a valuable support for developing friendships and communication skills. In my experience, the benefit of these groups certainly stretches beyond just my autistic students but those with other developmental disabilities and even their neurotypical peers! Especially in these unique post-pandemic lockdown times when all students...

about 1 month agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read

Hi Reader! Can you believe it is already time to teach about Thanksgiving?! Some of my favorite activities this time of year include: teaching about past and present and making our own "pilgrim ink" πŸͺΆ practicing manners to get ready for Thanksgiving dinner πŸ¦ƒ taste testing a variety of Thanksgiving foods at our classroom Thanksgiving feast πŸ— and teaching about fractions using pie! πŸ˜‹πŸ₯§ To learn more about what Thanksgiving looks like in my classroom, check out my blog post: Celebrating...

about 1 month agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read

Hi Reader!! Do your students struggle to apply sensory strategies in order to calm down in the moment? Have you discovered there are certain times of day when everyone seems a bit dysregulated? Do you have students who struggle with engagement because they are overwhelmed? I have been there! In my blog post featured below, I highlight several resources that I used to help students proactively learn and practice strategies so they were more successful calming in the moment and give ideas for...

about 2 months agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read

Hi Reader! One year my class did a hayride 🚜 on a farm field trip and the guide ready The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything and acted it out with props. It was the BEST! πŸ‘ If you have never read this spooky story, then now is the time! It is about a little old lady's journey through the forest where she encounters different articles of clothing that make different sounds that all come together in the end for a spooky surprise! My kids have SO MUCH FUN with all the sound effects...

2 months agoΒ β€’Β 1 min read