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Promoting Creative Inclusive Practices in Schools
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, does not specifically define the term inclusion in the law itself. However, as Wrightslaw reference materials state, IDEA does require “school...
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Timely Transition Tools for Back to School
As an Occupational Therapist (OT), I often make annual recommendations for back-to-school transition support for students with special needs. A friend’s recent social media post that spoke of the...
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Including Children with Special Needs in Literacy Activities
We know that parent involvement is directly connected to academic achievement as well as helps to support the development of Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) skills. In addition to just reading...
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5 Helpful Tips for Sensory Seekers and Sensory Avoiders
Do you have a child that likes to jump, hop, or crash into things and other students? One that squeezes the glue bottle with too much intensity or rips the paper when writing and erasing? Perhaps they...
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Transition Planning for Teens with Special Needs
Recent data indicates that the average graduation rate for students with disabilities—those served by IDEA—was 67.1%. Overall graduation rates for all students is 84.6%, so this represents a...
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Swing! For Focus, Attention, Coordination and Well-Being!
Benefits of Swinging Do you have a fond memory associated with swinging? Maybe pumping a swing at a local park or resting quietly on a hammock under a shaded tree? The vestibular or movement input...
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5 Helpful Hints for Dealing with Communication Challenges for Students with...
Many students with special needs have challenges with communication. Broken down basically, there can be issues with any of the following: Speech disorder – This can include articulation issues like...
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3 Ways to Observe Dyslexia Awareness Month in the Classroom
Each year since 2015, the United States Congress has designated October as Dyslexia Awareness Month. Several organizations use this platform to draw attention to both old wisdom and new developments...
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Inclusive Solutions to Support Social & Emotional Learning
As our society moves forward from the medical crisis of the pandemic, the insidious effects on mental health and the social and emotional components continue to become apparent. Children and teens...
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What Sports Athletes Know: Chewing Makes Good Brain Sense!
Watch any of the great baseball pitchers, and you’ll often see them chewing sunflower seeds or a wad of bubblegum in their mouth. Or how about football players that chew on their mouthguards between...
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The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 7: Adaptive Art – Art for All Students
Adaptive art is a wonderful way to bring people together through creativity and self-expression. In this episode, host Nancy Chung interviews art therapist and adaptive art specialist Susan Loesl...
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The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 11: Creating Inclusive Early Childhood Spaces
An inclusive early childhood classroom space is an intentional environment that promotes both physical and emotional development. In this episode, host Nancy Chung interviews early childhood expert...
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