The Autism Helper Podcast

6 Simple Ways to Get Staff Buy-In

Having staff buy-in is the make or break of a great team. Staff members that have buy-in see the reasons why strategies work. They are collaborative and cooperative. So how do you develop and cultivate staff buy-in? This is something you need to work towards and work at. 

In this episode, we pull from concepts related to staff training, growth mindset, and leadership skills to create 6 action items. When you work on these steps, you will develop a team that works together and makes progress. 

Here are my 6 simple ways:

Final step: set up reminders or prompts for yourself! Write these steps on a post it and put on your desk. Screen shot this description. Do whatever you need to do to remind yourself to work these strategies into each and every day! 

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Whether you are a first year teacher, a teacher new to special education, or a veteran teacher starting in a new school - being the newbie is hard. 

In this episode, I share my three important tips for being the new teacher. When you are new - ask for help, plan baby steps, and observe first. These simple strategies help you tackle the overwhelming to do list. They also help you learn about your new school’s future and expectations. Every new role comes with new nuances and those can be tricky to pick up on right away. 

If you aren’t a new teacher, it’s your job to help that new teacher feel welcome to your school community. Then, take it one step farther. Help that new teacher become a valuable member of your faculty. This episode also discusses what important steps you can take to help the new teacher out. 

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Addressing the communication needs of your students needs to be incorporated into every inch of your classroom. That's why this final step of the classroom setup process is completely dedicated to communication. Speech Language Pathologist, Sarah Allen, and I discuss how to get your classroom communication-ready. 

From best practices for communication systems to activities that will build communication at all levels, there is a lot to consider when it comes to setting up your classroom for optimal communication opportunities. Learn how you can ensure every student has a voice at all times in your room and why this is critically important. Review stations and centers that are fun and engaging while simultaneously increasing communication skills. Most importantly, establish a plan for collaborating regularly with your speech language pathologist and make the most out of that important relationship!

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Now let's get to the meat and potatoes of your classroom. When setting up your class, what curriculum and activities do you need to ensure your students are learning? There's no quick and easy answer. The idea of developing a set of materials for your students is overwhelming. You may have students that have an extremely wide range of skills. You are working on potty training and pronouns and everything in between. The general education curriculum may not be appropriate for your class. You have two jobs: special education teacher and curriculum developer (but only one salary). 

In this episode, we break down this process. One of our team bloggers, Gina and I discuss how to utilize assessments, your IEP goals, and state standards to prioritize, organize, and develop curriculum for your classroom. So before you start laminating away, take a minute to pause and be thoughtful and purposeful about what you are creating for your students. 

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Yes - data collection needs its own step in the classroom setup process because it is that important. Data should be the backbone of your classroom.  You should embed your data collection system into your classroom setup process. Make it something thoughtful and purposeful not an afterthought.

In this episode, we review best practices and tips for setting up academic and behavior data. For academic data, decide if organization by student or by center is best for your (hint: there’s no wrong answer). Organization is key because you need the time between your student doing a behavior to your pen hitting the data sheet to be minimal. For behavior data, learn more about my top 3 tips: keep it easy, keep it central, and make a team endeavor. Whatever stage you are at in the data collection process, this episode will challenge you to make it more efficient and streamlined. 

Links: 

TAH Data Blog Posts: https://theautismhelper.com/category/behavior/data/

Making Data Collection Quick & Easy: https://theautismhelper.com/making-data-collection-quick-easy/

Paraprofessional Run IEP Center: https://theautismhelper.com/paraprofessional-run-iep-goal-station/

Taking Data on Extreme Behaviors: https://theautismhelper.com/taking-data-extreme-behaviors/

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In this episode, we review how to set up visuals in your classroom in a way that is purposeful and effective. You want only the visuals that are useful and not a whole huge set of ones you don’t need. Use visuals to label. This helps with organization and teaching students to independently find and put away materials. Use visuals to support directives. We give so many verbal command on a daily basis and our kids with receptive language processing challenges just can’t keep up. Use visuals to show order to events/routines by creating mini schedules. Last, use visuals for behaviors and academics. This is essential. Use visuals to show the many if/then relationships we set up and the rules of the classroom. 

These visuals are a tool and our student will need to be taught how to use these tools. Learn how to teach your staff and teach your students how to utilize these visuals on a regular basis. 

Behavior visuals: https://theautismhelper.com/58903-2/

Visual necklace: https://theautismhelper.com/visual-necklace/

Visuals for routines: https://theautismhelper.com/using-visuals-teach-routines/

Mini schedules: https://theautismhelper.com/using-mini-schedules-classroom/

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Looking for a specific product or resource? Find it in our new Autism Helper store! https://shop.theautismhelper.com/

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Schedules are a must have for every classroom because they are functional. We all use schedules! In step 3 of the Seven Steps for Setting a Stellar Autism Classroom, we review the whole schedule process. First, learn how to create a detailed student and staff schedule (and some important reasons on why you need both). After you create student and staff schedules, it’s time to make schedules for your students. Schedules should be individualized! Not every student needs a visual and moveable-piece schedule. Think about schedules on continuum. You should always be working towards having each student use a schedule that is less restricted and more generalizable. Some formats schedules can be in are object schedules, picture schedules, or written schedules and there are a multitude of ways to customize those options! The last step is training you staff to teach your students how to use their schedule. Schedules need to be taught! 

Links: 

All schedule posts: https://theautismhelper.com/category/behavior/schedules-behavior/

Preschool Schedules: https://theautismhelper.com/circle-time-routine-and-daily-schedule-in-a-prek-inclusive-classroom

Picking the Right Schedule Type for Each Student: https://theautismhelper.com/picking-the-right-schedule-type-for-each-student/

Creating a Master Classroom Schedule: https://theautismhelper.com/picking-the-right-schedule-type-for-each-student/

Creating a Classroom Excel Schedule: https://theautismhelper.com/creating-classroom-excel-schedule/

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Why is structure important? A structured environment decreases negative behaviors, lessens student anxiety, increases independence, and improves student independence. And guess what? It also helps you manage and lead your staff. Creating and maintaining a structured and routine oriented environment will help your team work more collaboratively. In this episode, Jen Koenig, one our of team bloggers, and I discuss best practices for creating a structured environment. Jen shares her two essential considerations for each area of her classroom: functional and accessible. We discuss the different areas of Jen’s classroom and her thought process behind setting it up in a specific way.  Creating a classroom that is visually divided and visually defined will lead to overall student success. Your students will learn more and your team will be more effective. This episode is filled with action items and essential questions to be asking yourself either before you set up your class or in the middle of the school year.  Links: Color Coding Tools: https://theautismhelper.com/color-coding-tools/ Keeping Organized with Schedules: https://theautismhelper.com/keeping-organized-with-schedules/ Setting Up Center Rotations: https://theautismhelper.com/making-center-rotations-a-breeze/

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Step 1 in the Seven Steps for Setting Up a Stellar Autism Classroom: Organization and Planning. Don’t be tempted to skip this step. The classroom process should be purposeful and thoughtful. Spend time actively brainstorming and evaluating the needs of your students. Remember, as Dr. Stephen Shore said, “If you’ve meet one individual with autism, you’ve meet one individual with autism.” Your classroom should be changing and evolving every year because the needs of your students will be changing every year. 

In this episode, we review important topics to begin the planning process. First we discuss how to create a “student need snapshot” by reviewing your students’ IEPs. Then we cover several important areas of the classroom to begin thinking about how the needs of your students will impact these areas. Finally, we start to make a list of centers for your classroom to address the IEP goals. Types of centers include group centers, direction instruction, paraprofessional led centers, independent center, and leisure centers. Many examples for each type are discussed! 

Our classrooms sometimes look different because the needs of our students are so different. Let some good brainstorming and reflection drive your setup process! 

Classroom Setup Checklist: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Seven-Steps-for-Setting-Up-a-Stellar-Autism-Room-CHECKLIST-1338047

20 Questions for Organizing and Planning you setup: https://theautismhelper.com/organization-planning-20-questions-ask-starting-classroom-setup/

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Dr. Mary Barbera is a best selling author, BCBA, and autism mom. In this episode, I chat with Mary about her journey into the autism world. She shares the story of her son’s diagnosis, how she learned about ABA, and what inspired her to become a BCBA. Mary’s bestselling book, The Verbal Behavior Approach, comes from Mary’s years of experience working with children with autism. Mary discusses how the verbal behavior approach is different than what many think of as ‘traditional’ autism and some important take home lessons from her book. Mary has developed several courses for parents, teachers, and BCBAs and provides insight as to which course would work best for each group. This episode is filled with helpful information from a true expert in the field! 

Links: 

https://www.marybarbera.com

https://www.amazon.com/The-Verbal-Behavior-Approach-Disorders/dp/1843108526/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358195509&sr=8-1&keywords=the+verbal+behavior+approach

Turn Around Autism Podcast: https://www.marybarbera.com/podcast/

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