About Autism Backpack

 

Why The Butterfly?

       My first student when learning the verbal behavior method of teaching children with autism was an adorable 3 year old child by the name of Evy. On our first day together at his home we went out the backdoor and headed for the garden. As we approached the garden a butterfly flew by. I pointed to the butterfly and said, “Evy, look!” “A butterfly!” Evy did not look. Not even close! He had no concept of butterfly or “look”. One year later after individual verbal behavior therapy three afternoons a week along with a full day pre-school program in my classroom we again went out the backdoor headed to the garden. This time Evy turned to me and said, “Look, Sue!”  “There’s a butterfly!” It brought tears to my eyes. This was our last day together before the family was moving out of state. I knew it was a sign that Evy was going to be OK!  You can catch Evy on youtube under julietburk and autismteachingtools.

Why This Blog?

       If you are working with children having autism or other language delays, welcome to Autism Backpack!  Whether you are a new or seasoned teacher of ABA and Verbal Behavior Therapy, 
this blog is here for you.

       Picture books are an avenue rich with language experiences. Activities developed for Autism Backpack are geared toward teaching language and learning objectives found in the ABLLS-R and the VB-MAPP skills tracking programs (more about these under Resources!)  Many of the activities also address Kindergarten Common Core ELA and Math readiness. 

       My picture book activity packets are based on favorite children’s stories and available on TeachersPayTeachers.com. Visit my store Susan at Autism Backpack under Shop Autism Backpack. 

      Most of the picture books are available at the library.

Why The Picture Books?

       Experience was telling me that children with autism often exhibited dysfunctional relations with books.  They would stare at a logo on the cover, thump the cover over and over, flip the pages and feel the breeze it made, or find one page and perseverate on it.  I decided to find a way to teach them about picture books so they could gain the benefit of enjoying the stories and be functionally involved with concepts of print and pre-literacy skills. To be lifelong learners through the use of books during their school experience they needed to become involved in the story between the covers. How would I draw then in?  By selecting books that related in some way to their everyday lives, that offered a connection to their environment, and which engaged them in a variety of opportunities to increase needed language, play, and social skills.

Once you start having fun teaching your kids using my favorite books, you will be bringing your favorites alive in the classroom!

Please comment!