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:
- Visual supports starter pack: you’ll love how versatile these visuals are!
- Grocery store worksheets: everyone needs grocery shopping skills!
- Basic concepts file folders: file folders are seriously my favorite! They’re so compact, portable and pieces are self contained. This basic concepts bundle includes 20 file folders for every month.
- Errorless math worksheets: do you do errorless tasks in your classroom? These are a great intro! And FREE 🙂
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!
Hi, I noticed your PO Box is Willow Springs. I worked at Willow Springs Elementary from 2000-2006. I loved it there until I began working at CPS. I’m at a school by Midway. I wanted to say hello and thank you for all your had work. You’ve made my first year in a cluster room easy(er). Enjoy being with your kids. Life is short and school will always be there. Your kids will only bee this age once.
-Ann
Hi Ann! Thanks so much for your note – I just sent you an email 🙂
Hi! This is extremely random but I stumbled across your site while completing an assignment for my college course which required me to explore websites designed for special education. I found yours and read your bio that you’re a recreational therapist. I’m a senior special education and art double major and have NEVER heard of this job. As I’m trying to figure out where I fit in the world of special education I am extremely interested in jobs other than a typical classroom teacher. I was just curious how you wound up being a recreational therapist and what being one is like. If you have the time I would love to hear about it and learn more!
Hi Caitlin – I just sent you an email! Let me know if you have any questions 🙂
I saw you created a 50 States packet. I saw it pinned on pinterest. Is this still available for purchase.
Hi Emilia,
Thanks for your message – I also just emailed you this same info.
The 50 states packet is available for purchase (as a digital download). I recently added it to my store here – https://autismworktasks.com/collections/worksheets/products/50-states-worksheets-social-studies
Let me know if you have any questions about this resource!
Carrie
I found your site while looking for adapted books for Special Ed. Students.
The first window has this : Free Life Skills File Folder Activities for Special Education.
I have been searching your site and even signed up for your newsletter, etc.
However, when I do a search, I cannot locate these free file folder activities.
Thank you for your help.
Hi Gerene – I just sent you an email. The file folders were automatically emailed to you earlier but I attached them in my reply as well!