Being a special educator is hard and it’s even harder when you can’t quickly find the resources you need to serve your students.  I’m here to share resources, materials and tips for working with children with autism.

I hope to bring you easy to implement ideas that can transform your classroom and give you tools to help your students reach their potential. Communication deficits and behavior challenges don’t have to derail your teaching and your students’ learning.

Two of my favorite things – running and Disney World!

Mission: To provide special educators with functional, appealing and differentiated resources.

Who: I’m a recreational therapist by trade and spent time working in the community setting and at a therapeutic school.  My school experience was my favorite – I got to spend my day with elementary students with autism doing art, music, PE, swimming and going into the community.  Right now, I’m homeschooling my two young children and spend my evenings after their bedtime creating work tasks!

What: This site is the home base to my business Adapting for Autism, Inc.

I’ve created most of my resources with independent work stations in mind. I especially love making file folders, adapted books and no prep worksheets. My experience was with elementary students so most of my resources are aimed for early learners.  I spent hours every week taking students into the community so life skills resources for teens are also important to me.

I also have a huge spot in my heart for visual supports.  I’ve seen huge successes presenting information to my students in a visual manner.  Visual supports make the special education classroom go ’round!

My favorite resources:

Nitty Gritty: You’re still reading?  Ok maybe you like those facts lists people write!

  • Name: Carrie
  • Location: Greater Chicagoland
  • Fam: one husband and two kidlets
  • Education: B.S. from the University of Illinois and M.A. from The University of Iowa
  • Favorite color: purple
  • Favorite number: 24
  • Favorite food: pizza with black olives
  • Favorite vacation: Disney World
  • Favorite exercise: running
  • Favorite sport: softball
  • Favorite movie(s): all Pixar movies. Seriously…all of them!