"I am currently a special education teacher at an autism school in Virginia. As a teacher, I strive to provide intensive, individualized instruction using teaching strategies based on the principles of ABA to target a broad range of academic, language, behavior, and life skills goals. I have a total of 7 students in my class ranging from 10 years old to 21 years old. My focus is on functional goals so when my students leave at 21, they have a better handle on money skills, shopping, cooking, dressing themselves, etc. I work mostly with students 1:1 and sometimes in groups of 2 or 3. I use assessments such as the VB-MAPP, ABBLS-R, Brigance and AFFLS. I collaborate on a daily basis with a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, and the principal. In addition, I collaborate and communicate with parents to develop appropriate IEP goals! Outside of the school, we have community relationships. Some of my students go into the community for real-life experiences and to have the opportunity to practice functional skills outside of the classroom. For instance, when I have students learning the basics for money and exchanging, once they have mastered the skill in the classroom, they go to a store and apply the same skill for generalization!"
