Answering/Asking Questions- This can be good in circle time for students who are verbal, but still find it difficult to respond and/or make choices - page 1, page 2, page 3 (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

Hand-Washing Song- We read that you should wash your hands for the amount of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday. Following the motto to sing as many instructions as possible, Jaen Mayberry wrote piggy back lyrics to that tune. Print it. Put it in a sheet protector, and hang it in the bathroom, if you will. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

Intergenerational Skills Training: Teaching Young People to Make Life Choices - great example of utilizing community resources to benefit all

Personal Information Mnemonics- I don't know the original author of these chants, but they can work well for some students in a circle time. I put all my morning activities in a ring binder which is held up to the students so they can look at the words and pictures as we go along. Start with a written, teacher-modeled, phone number response, etc. , that the student can follow. Fade to the student reading the response. Fade the written response and eventually, fade the mnemonic and ask the question in a more natural way. Try Telephone Number, Birthday, and Address. Here is an original Name jingle.

A Fantastic Fire Safety Song - to listen to online or to print from Do2learn

A Personal Information worksheet for a student to fill out after prerequisite weighing and measuring. Use as a first step toward filling in forms.

Label a Place Setting- from Enchanted Learning

The Deodorant Story- Use this story or create one along these lines to improve a student's personal hygiene. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

The Menstruation Story- Use this story or create one along these lines to help reduce stress and improve a student's personal hygiene. Check with parents and school policy for permission before using at school.   page 1 and page 2. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

Object by Function Speech Exercise for verbal students- to print (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader )

Conversation Boards - Put these in sheet protectors in a ring binder then use in a small group, as part of a start the day routine. Go through a greetings and calendar script and then use the boards to extend conversation. Model and rehearse different responses so that students are less likely to become habituated to one response. Pass the book around so that students can point if they are nonverbal. What is your favorite color? What is your favorite cartoon? What is your favorite drink? What is your favorite snack? What is your favorite toy or game?

The Power of Peer Support: Making Inclusion Work in High School 

Sex Education and Students with Disabilities - Students with mental retardation have a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Most of these students have difficulty learning as easily and comprehensively as their nondisabled peers. Many do not readily understand concepts presented in the abstract. Often the ability to generalize from experience is absent or greatly reduced. These learning characteristics increase the special education students' vulnerability to sexually transmitted disease, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many students with mental retardation live more protected lives than do adolescents without disabilities. This overprotection often heightens the risk of abuse, lack of knowledge, habitual over compliance, limited assertiveness, and undifferentiated trusting are frequent by-products of this "protected" lifestyle.

Disability Solutions: Sexuality Education:
Part 1 - http://www.disabilitysolutions.org/pdf/4-5.pdf
Part 2 - http://www.disabilitysolutions.org/pdf/4-6.pdf

Sexuality and Persons with Disabilities - The idea that persons with disabilities cannot have a significant social and intimate relationship with someone is still a very pervasive one in our society.  People with disabilities at any age are often portrayed as asexual and incapable of forming meaningful relationships with their peers and those of the opposite sex. This idea is, of course, not true. The need to be social, to be loved, and to show love to someone else does not diminish with disability.  Youth and young adults with disabilities face the same obstacles regarding sexuality and relationship building as those who are not disabled. It is important to realize, though, that having a disability may add more issues for both parents and teens/young adults to think about.

Toilet Training - help from an expert regarding toilet training and children who have autism.
 

Contact the Families Together Center near you for more information