Subscribe from $5.99
0,00 USD

No products in the cart.

Sparking Communication in Autistic Students

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, November/December 2013

By Tim Wesson and Muna Kadri

As the assistant head of special education at Vaughan Secondary School in the Toronto area, Tim Wesson describes his professional learning journey as one driven by the desire to improve the standard of living for autistic students and to seek ways to build partnerships in the school community.

For years, Tim has been teaching autistic students and facing a recurring struggle to assist them in developing their communication skills. The ability to interact effectively is perhaps the largest barrier to inclusion and independence that students on the spectrum encounter.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for as low as $5.99 and get full access!

Subscribe

If you’re already subscribed, please Log In.

Tim Wesson is the assistant head of special education at Vaughan Secondary School in the York Region District School Board. He is keenly interested in creating classroom environments that focus on developing skills to enhance quality of life.

Muna Kadri is the head of alternative education and lead literacy teacher at Vaughan Secondary School in the York Region District School Board. She is passionate about investigating ways technology can be used to promote student success and drive teacher learning.

Education News

New YA Novel Shows How Fiction Conquers Real Fears in the Age of “Run, Hide, Fight”

“Gone Before You Knew Me” is a satirical spy thriller about a girl trying to make it out of high school alive. The story is fictional, but it speaks to real fears in an age where students and staff are drilled in “run, hide, fight” scenarios as a matter of course.

Why Table Tennis Is Working in NYC Classrooms

As the newly released film “Marty Supreme” brings the world of table tennis into the cultural spotlight, it also quietly parallels a powerful real-life story behind the sport.

Celebrate Love and Kindness with Julie Flett’s Latest Picture Book

From beloved author and illustrator Julie Flett comes an adorable celebration of the ways we show love. For kids up to age 7.

New Report Outlines How Schools Can Prepare for Weather-Related Learning Disruptions

The report draws on lessons from previous disasters to help schools mitigate the impacts to teaching and learning.

Teacher Survey Shows “Zen Zones” Are Far More Desired than AI/Tech Spaces

As conversations about education increasingly center on technology and innovation, many teachers across the country are seeking educational environments that foster a sense of connection and calm for students.

How TRUCE Family Helps Teachers Bring Focus and Calm Back to the Classroom

Educators need a practical solution that protects instructional time and helps students build healthier relationships with their devices. That’s where TRUCE Family comes in.

Advertisement

Read More

Powerful Stories for Black History Month

There’s something profoundly meaningful about engaging with the works of Black authors. Their words invite us to reflect, grow, and better understand one another.

14 Children’s Books That Keep Black History Alive

From activists and abolitionists to history-makers and quiet trailblazers, these books introduce students to lives shaped by perseverance, bravery, and hope.

New YA Novel Shows How Fiction Conquers Real Fears in the Age of “Run, Hide, Fight”

“Gone Before You Knew Me” is a satirical spy thriller about a girl trying to make it out of high school alive. The story is fictional, but it speaks to real fears in an age where students and staff are drilled in “run, hide, fight” scenarios as a matter of course.

Why Table Tennis Is Working in NYC Classrooms

As the newly released film “Marty Supreme” brings the world of table tennis into the cultural spotlight, it also quietly parallels a powerful real-life story behind the sport.

How Two Mounties Taught My Students to Communicate Like Hostage Negotiators

When the RCMP Crisis Negotiation Unit visited my high school law class, I expected some interesting guest speakers. What I didn’t expect was just how profoundly they would change the way my students communicated.

The Power of Imagination in STEM Education

Before a student learns to calculate, measure, or code, they must first believe that something new is possible. In that sense, imagination is not a supplement to STEM. It is the beginning of it.