Education Magazine

Excellence In Education Lincoln Daily News January 25, 2023 Page 25 By Angela Reiners In working with children on the autism spectrum, it is important to remember that each child is unique. However, strategies such as sticking with routines and schedules and being sensitive to sensory needs can be helpful for many of the children. Another strategy is to use interventions as needed to support children’s social, emotional, behavioral and language needs. Helping children learn ways to communicate when they are unable to verbalize is one way to support these needs. Communication is something teachers in District 27 are working on with children who have autism and other special needs. One way of helping children with autism learn to communicate is using a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). The GBC Autism Services blog on Tools to Help Children with Autism Overcome Communication Challenges says PECS “uses pictures and symbols to teach children with ASD who struggle with language how to communicate their wants and needs, emotions and feelings, and to engage in conversation.” Life lessons begin early and continue on through high school District 27 teachers earn high marks for work with special needs and autism students PECS cards have pictures or symbols of toys, food, activities, and various items. Children use the card to show a teacher, therapist, or parent what they want. For example, if a child wants to play with blocks, he or she would find a card showing a picture of the blocks and give it to the teacher, who then provides the item. District 27 School Psychologist Dawn Lanning said educating ourselves and providing opportunities for trainings is important. For example, Brianna Lanning, an Early Childhood teacher at Adams, went to a conference on the PEC system last year to help learn how to utilize PECS in her classroom. This year, Brianna Lanning and Ashlyn Carroll, another Early Childhood teacher at Continued --