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Sparking Communication in Autistic Students

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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.

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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.

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