autism Archives

Supporting neurodiverse learners requires more than accommodation: It demands systemic change

September 12, 2025 by Dr. Melanie Johnson, Collaborative for Children

Neurotypical students who learn alongside neurodiverse students and peers develop critical social-emotional skills.

Approximately 1 in 5 children in the United States are estimated to be neurodivergent, representing a spectrum of learning and thinking differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and…

Students with Special Needs

Crafting environments where students with autism thrive

May 29, 2025May 27, 2025 by Joie Laykoff, Fusion Education Group

Prioritizing clarity, consistency, and connection helps students with autism meet challenges and celebrate progress.

Recent public commentary about autism has brought new urgency to the conversation. Awareness alone isn’t enough--students on the spectrum benefit from environments where their needs are understood, respected,…

Students with Special Needs

As World Autism Day nears, here’s how to support neurodiverse students

March 27, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Embracing neurodiverse abilities and supporting students with autism in the classroom fosters a culture of empathy, respect, and acceptance.

The number of children diagnosed with developmental disabilities is on the rise, specifically attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

AI in Education

A virtual reality, AI-boosted system helps students with autism improve social skills

February 14, 2025 by Mike Krings, KU News Service

An immersive, authentic experience blends extended reality and real-world elements of AI to help students with autism build social skills.

For more than a decade, University of Kansas researchers have been developing a virtual reality system to help students with disabilities, especially those with autism spectrum disorder, to…

Students with Special Needs

Here’s how schools can better support neurodiverse students

June 18, 2024 by Hunter Wesolowski, ProCare Therapy

During Autism Pride Day, school therapy experts debunk common misconceptions about neurodiverse students in the classroom.

The number of children diagnosed with developmental disabilities is on the rise, specifically attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

AR & VR in the Classroom

Student-centered everything: ClassVR in special education

May 3, 2024 by Charley Suter, M.Ed, Spaulding Academy & Family Services

The school is using VR to explore VR strategies in the world of SEL for students, and to build compassion and empathy among new staff.

Spaulding Academy & Family Services is a small, non-profit special education school and residential facility serving students with a wide range of abilities, including many who are on…

Students with Special Needs

Mobile app helps students with special needs self-monitor behavior

August 9, 2023 by Abigail Durkin, University of Missouri

When Sara Estrapala started her career as a high school paraeducator supporting students with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, learning disorders and challenging behaviors, she quickly recognized…

Students with Special Needs

7 ways to make homework easier for students with autism

March 28, 2023 by Vladimir Kogan, Founder, Nevada Autism Center

Homework can be challenging for all children, but for those with autism, it can be challenging. It is common for children with autism to have difficulties with executive…

Students with Special Needs

Is the ‘Growing Your Own’ pipeline working for special education teachers?

March 27, 2023 by Angela Nelson, CEO and President, Stages Learning

special educators need support in and out of the classroom.

District leaders report that one of the biggest challenges they face is a shortage of teachers, and in particular, a shortage of special education teachers. New data shows…

Students with Special Needs

What matters most for our special education teachers?

December 5, 2022October 19, 2022 by Angela Nelson, CEO and President, Stages Learning

It is crucial to provide special education teachers with learning opportunities that will help them succeed in making a difference in students’ lives

We all know the problem. There is a frightening shortage of special education teachers and it’s getting worse. Even prior to the pandemic, 98 percent of school districts…

Newsline

Children’s Hospital Colorado Expands Access to Free, Online Teacher Training to Help Students with ASD and ADHD Improve Executive Functioning Skills

September 15, 2022 by ESchool News Staff

Aurora, Colo. – Free, online teacher and parent training designed to improve the executive functioning of elementary school-aged children with autism ... Read more

Students with Special Needs

A fresh perspective on VR in special education

December 7, 2022March 7, 2022 by Charley Suter, Digital Learning Specialist, Spaulding Academy & Family Services & Jen Benjamin, MS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, Spaulding Academy & Family Services via Boothby Therapy Services

Incorporating VR in special education gives students access to personalized learning experiences

In early 2021, Spaulding Academy & Family Services applied for and received a technology grant from the Flutie Foundation for the purchase of virtual reality (VR) headsets.

Students with Special Needs

3 things parents of neurodiverse kids should know

December 7, 2022April 30, 2021 by Suchi Deshpande, Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder, Learnfully

When navigating life and learning with a neurodiverse kid, it’s important to be patient, be consistent, and take things one step at a time

For many parents, this April could be the first time they are recognizing Autism Acceptance Month, or the first time it's been on their radar. Maybe they just…

Newsline

Super Duper Publications Makes Finding Autism Resources Easy

January 14, 2021 by ESchool News Staff

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately one out of every 54 children has been diagnosed with autism spectrum ... Read more

COVID-19 Update

Staying Connected During COVID-19 [Teacher Spotlight]: Karina Tran

September 4, 2020September 4, 2020 by Jessica Rowley

A special education teacher offers insight on navigating remote learning while maintaining student and family connections

What motivated you to become a Special Education teacher? When I was younger I didn’t know I wanted to even be a teacher, nonetheless a Special Ed teacher.…

Ancillary

Online summit for all special education stakeholders

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 by ESchool News Staff

The 2020 Special Kids International Summit, presented by Kidskintha in partnership with UNESCO’s New Delhi Office and MindRocket Media Group, ... Read more

eClassroom News

Strategies for changing challenging behaviors of students with autism

January 4, 2019 by Eileen Belastock, CETL

“Every individual should be able to access things that they like,” said Monica Fisher, M.Ed., BCBA/COBA, director of the behavior department at Monarch Center for Autism during an…

District Management

How individualized supports for students with autism promote success in the mainstream classroom

November 14, 2018 by Stacey Pusey

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is, at its heart, a processing disorder. And while the students with ASD face a variety of challenges depending on where they fall on…

eSchool Media

Now is the time to transform how we teach students with autism

July 23, 2018 by Dr. Gregory Firn

America, we may have a problem. The CDC recently announced new prevalence rates for autism. The increase from 1 in 68 to 1 in 59 children identified as having…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Tech holds great promise for students with autism

January 25, 2023April 11, 2018 by Julia Ottesen

Research indicates that due to a heightened interest in visual materials combined with strong visual processing capabilities, many individuals with autism benefit from using technology. From devices to…

District Management

How video cameras help improve classroom learning and campus safety

August 18, 2020June 12, 2017 by Bob Nilsson

The topic of video cameras in the classroom has been brewing for years. Schools that have deployed cameras in public areas have experienced dramatic safety benefits. For example,…

District Management

If you give a kindergartner a Chromebook…

October 16, 2017February 10, 2017 by Laura Ascione

Although even the youngest children are considered tech-savvy today, there exists a difference between a child who knows how to use a tablet to watch videos and a…

District Management

5 essential apps for autistic learners

July 29, 2016 by Alex Cornacchini

Mobile technology has opened up a plethora of resources for students with special needs, including students with autism. Here we’re ... Read more

District Management

5 ways technology can be useful for autistic learners

July 6, 2016 by Stephen Noonoo

A tech researcher shares pros and cons for using devices with autistic learners -- and draws from her own experience as a parent of an autistic son.

Teaching Trends

Editor’s Picks 2015, No. seven: Flipped learning is changing the face of special ed

December 23, 2015 by Dennis Pierce

Flipped learning and one-to-one are a powerful combo for some populations Ed. note: This year the editors selected ten stories ... Read more

District Management

5 steps to maximize iPads for students with autism

November 5, 2013October 28, 2013 by By Meris Stansbury, Associate Editor, <a href='https://twitter.com/esn_meris' target='_blank'>@eSN_Meris</a>

Classrooms across the country are dotted with iPads on desks, in students' hands, and in hallways. Recently, a special education expert offered five insights into how the iPad…

District Management

Helping students with autism excel

November 5, 2013August 28, 2013 by By Laura Devaney, Managing Editor, <a href='https://twitter.com/esn_laura' target='_blank'>@eSN_Laura</a>

A new school year brings change for all students, but some students, such as students with autism, need a little something extra to help them with the back-to-school…

Meeting the Needs of Students with Autism

Journal retracts 1998 paper linking autism to MMR vaccine

February 4, 2010February 4, 2010 by Staff and wire services reports

A prominent British medical journal on Feb. 2 retracted a 1998 research paper that set off a sharp decline in vaccinations after the paper’s lead author suggested that…

Supporting neurodiverse learners requires more than accommodation: It demands systemic change

Crafting environments where students with autism thrive

As World Autism Day nears, here’s how to support neurodiverse students

A virtual reality, AI-boosted system helps students with autism improve social skills

Here’s how schools can better support neurodiverse students

Student-centered everything: ClassVR in special education

Mobile app helps students with special needs self-monitor behavior

Is the ‘Growing Your Own’ pipeline working for special education teachers?

What matters most for our special education teachers?

Children’s Hospital Colorado Expands Access to Free, Online Teacher Training to Help Students with ASD and ADHD Improve Executive Functioning Skills

A fresh perspective on VR in special education

3 things parents of neurodiverse kids should know

Super Duper Publications Makes Finding Autism Resources Easy

Staying Connected During COVID-19 [Teacher Spotlight]: Karina Tran

Online summit for all special education stakeholders

Strategies for changing challenging behaviors of students with autism

How individualized supports for students with autism promote success in the mainstream classroom

Now is the time to transform how we teach students with autism

Tech holds great promise for students with autism

If you give a kindergartner a Chromebook…

5 essential apps for autistic learners

5 ways technology can be useful for autistic learners

Editor’s Picks 2015, No. seven: Flipped learning is changing the face of special ed

5 steps to maximize iPads for students with autism

Helping students with autism excel

Journal retracts 1998 paper linking autism to MMR vaccine

Why interactive solutions are a smarter investment for schools

School Specialty Expands Learning Beyond the Screen with New Outdoor Furniture Line

Avantis Education Transforms Classroom Inclusivity with Launch of EduverseTHRIVE at TCEA 2026

Lerner Publishing Group Launches Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s Genius and Joy Curriculum

School Specialty LLC Announces Acquisition of Nasco Education U.S.

100 Learning Spaces Transformed, $5 Million Invested: School Specialty and College Football Playoff Foundation Celebrate Impact Across Schools Nationwide

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