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236.Implementing AAC in the Classroom: Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

Be The Exception In Special Education

Release Date: 10/31/2024

243.Fighting Burnout in Special Education: 6 Tips to Protect Your Energy show art 243.Fighting Burnout in Special Education: 6 Tips to Protect Your Energy

Be The Exception In Special Education

As a special education teacher, burnout can feel like an inevitable part of the job. The demands of supporting students with diverse needs, managing paperwork, attending endless meetings, and giving your all every single day can leave you feeling drained, overstimulated, and completely exhausted. If you’ve been there (trust me, I’ve been there too), you know how hard it is to keep giving when you have nothing left to offer. In this episode, I’m sharing personal strategies to help combat burnout as a special education teacher. I’m talking about setting boundaries, managing expectations,...

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242.Unlocking Social Skills with Robots: The Future of Assistive Technology in Special Education show art 242.Unlocking Social Skills with Robots: The Future of Assistive Technology in Special Education

Be The Exception In Special Education

If you're an educator looking to bring more tech into your classroom that not only engages your students but also gives them the tools they need to succeed socially and academically, this episode is for you! In this episode, we revisit the team at RoboKind and explore their recent pivot to virtual avatars and how this shift is benefiting special education classrooms.   In this episode you will learn:   Customization & Differentiation: How educators can customize avatars to meet individual student needs. Practical Classroom Use: What a typical lesson looks like using virtual...

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241.Making Holiday Learning Fun: Special Education Christmas Activities show art 241.Making Holiday Learning Fun: Special Education Christmas Activities

Be The Exception In Special Education

The holiday season is a busy time for educators, but it’s also a great opportunity to engage your students with fun, festive learning activities. In this episode, I’m sharing how my bundle can help special educators maintain a structured, engaging classroom while celebrating the holidays. Learn how math, literacy, social skills, and even fine motor activities can be taught with a holiday twist, making learning more enjoyable and accessible for your students. In this episode you will learn about:   Hands-on learning with Christmas counting mats and number mats Holiday-themed...

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240.Refocusing on Student Success: Embracing Growth Mindset in Special Education show art 240.Refocusing on Student Success: Embracing Growth Mindset in Special Education

Be The Exception In Special Education

In this week’s episode of Be The Exception in Special Education, we dive deep into the power of growth mindset in the classroom, especially for special education teachers. As we head into Thanksgiving week, I want to challenge you to shift your mindset from task-driven to student-focused. Learn how to refocus on the why behind your work and gain practical tips for overcoming the stress and overwhelm of the school year. Plus, get ready for a special offer—my Special Education Bundle is on sale for just $24, and if you use my link, you’ll get three free winter-themed activities to kick off...

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239.Inclusion Essentials: Leveraging Collaboration for Diverse Student Populations show art 239.Inclusion Essentials: Leveraging Collaboration for Diverse Student Populations

Be The Exception In Special Education

Join me as I sit down with Toby Karten, an inclusion facilitator and author, to discuss the critical role of collaboration in special and general education. Discover the common threads that unite diverse student populations and learn practical strategies to enhance inclusive practices in your classroom. In this episode you will learn:   The importance of collaboration between special education and general education professionals for student success. Common threads in diversified populations and how they relate to inclusive practices. Structural elements essential for effective...

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238.Thankful for Learning: Engaging November Activities for Special Education show art 238.Thankful for Learning: Engaging November Activities for Special Education

Be The Exception In Special Education

This week I’m sharing low-prep, highly engaging Thanksgiving-themed activities that special education teachers can implement in their classrooms. Make this season a time of gratitude and learning in the easiest way ever!    In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to implement gratitude journals in your classroom. Create a Thankful Tree to celebrate what students are thankful for. Organize a Thanksgiving-themed scavenger hunt. Incorporate functional academics through cooking activities. Engage students with Thanksgiving-themed crafts and literature.   Listen in to hear...

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237: Empowering Nonverbal Learners: Innovative Techniques for Teaching Counting with Rachel Garcia show art 237: Empowering Nonverbal Learners: Innovative Techniques for Teaching Counting with Rachel Garcia

Be The Exception In Special Education

In this episode, we’re joined by Rachel Garcia, a dedicated special education teacher who has developed innovative methods for teaching counting to nonverbal students. Discover how to engage your learners with multisensory techniques, foster communication, and build confidence in their counting skills! In this episode you will learn:   Effective modeling techniques for counting. The importance of the "inner voice" in counting. Encouraging diverse response modalities from students. And more! Links and Resources Connect with Rachel   Connect with Dawn   ...

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236.Implementing AAC in the Classroom: Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting show art 236.Implementing AAC in the Classroom: Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

Be The Exception In Special Education

In this final episode of our AAC Awareness Month series, we dive into the practical side of AAC implementation. Learn how to use AAC in everyday classroom routines, troubleshoot common issues, and keep your students engaged with their AAC tools. Discover easy-to-implement tips and tricks that will help you overcome challenges and empower your students to communicate effectively.   In this episode you will learn:   Quick wins for integrating AAC into daily classroom activities. The importance of modeling AAC use for students and peers. How to troubleshoot device malfunctions or...

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235.How Special Educators Choose and Customize AAC Tools for Students show art 235.How Special Educators Choose and Customize AAC Tools for Students

Be The Exception In Special Education

This week we are continuing our chats about all things AAC. Last week we covered the basics about what they are and why our students need them. In this episode, we take a closer look at how to choose and customize AAC tools to fit the unique needs of each student. Learn how to assess your students’ communication needs with help from an SLP, and discover tips for selecting between low-tech and high-tech AAC systems. Plus, get practical ideas for customizing AAC tools to engage and empower your students.   In this episode you will learn:   How to assess a student’s communication...

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234.What is AAC and Why Does It Matter in Special Education? show art 234.What is AAC and Why Does It Matter in Special Education?

Be The Exception In Special Education

In this episode, we kick off AAC Awareness Month by exploring the basics of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Learn what AAC is, the types of AAC systems, and why it’s so crucial for non-verbal and minimally verbal students in special education. We’ll also discuss real-life examples of how AAC has transformed the classroom and fostered student independence.  Don’t miss this foundational episode, and get ready for the next one, where we’ll dive deeper into choosing the right AAC tools.   In this episode you will learn:   Definition of AAC and its types...

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More Episodes

In this final episode of our AAC Awareness Month series, we dive into the practical side of AAC implementation. Learn how to use AAC in everyday classroom routines, troubleshoot common issues, and keep your students engaged with their AAC tools. Discover easy-to-implement tips and tricks that will help you overcome challenges and empower your students to communicate effectively.

 

In this episode you will learn:

 

  • Quick wins for integrating AAC into daily classroom activities.

  • The importance of modeling AAC use for students and peers.

  • How to troubleshoot device malfunctions or student resistance.

  • Real-life examples of overcoming AAC challenges in the classroom.

Subscribe to Be the Exception so you don’t miss future episodes. If you enjoyed this series, please share it with other educators to raise awareness for AAC in special education!




Links and Resources

Fall Leaves Adapted Unit
Engaging Special Education Thanksgiving Activities Blog
The Exceptional Collective
FREEBIE: AAC Implementation Guide
Amazon Storefront
How to Choose and Customize AAC Tools for Your Students

 



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