by Elaine Hall and Diane Isaacs
Co-Authors of Seven Keys to Unlock Autism: Making Miracles in the Classroom
It’s that time of year. Like Dr. Seuss’ busy inhabitants of “Whoville,” you are running around, needing to recover on Monday from the holiday weekend festivities and stampedes. At school, schedules change for holiday performances and parties. Tensions may be high, and you are thoroughly exhausted ready for your well-deserved break.
Holidays can be stressful times for everyone, especially for teachers working with students who have autism and other special needs. Here are some simple tools to help you and your students find calm within the chaos and even share the joy of the holiday season!
Key 1 – Stay centered
No matter what’s happening, the only constant is YOU. Yes, you can be the calm within the ‘snow blizzard’ of activity. Before you walk into your classroom take a minute to breathe, center yourself, and calm your energy.
Key 2 – Acceptance
No doubt this is a frenzied time. The more we can accept the crowded malls, the disrupted schedules, AND your student’s dysregulated behaviors as just part of this festive season the calmer we can all be. We can just “go with it,” no matter what happens.
Key 3 – Tune into sensory stimulus
Your students with autism are often challenged with highly sensitive neurological systems. Everyday sensory processing can be overwhelming. Think how even more challenging this can be with bright lights, blaring music, and loud, jolly people wearing red suits. Student meltdown? Take a moment to see the world from his perspective.
Ready for the “auditorium experience?” Holiday assemblies can be daunting. Acknowledging and voicing for your student, “It is very loud in here, isn’t it?” can have a disarming effect. Shall we take a break?” helps him feel more in control, further reducing anxiety.
Key 4 – Follow your students’ interests
What holidays do your students celebrate – traditional activities? What gifts do they desire? Take time during the school day to connect to each student’s individual needs.
Key 5 – Include their interests
Find times for your students to share their interests with each other. Are there songs they enjoy singing? Encourage them to share their experiences with classmates. Let students be the “givers.” What can they give each other that can’t be wrapped – like a kind word or hug?
Key 6 – Rehearse for Life
Use social stories to prepare students for winter break by discussing with parents possible vacation plans; play-act them out with students. Help parents come up with ideas for winter break activities that they can plan with their kids.
Key 7 – Celebrate!
Most of all, “CELEBRATE.” Take a minute to see how far you and your students have come in your journey since the first day of school. As we near the winter solstice and the days grow shorter, let yourself be the “light” at the center of calm within the blizzard. Celebrate yourself, your students, and this glorious time of gratitude.
Best wishes for a joyous and stress-freer holiday season!
Elaine Hall and Diane Isaacs Co-Authors: Seven Keys to Unlock Autism: Making Miracles in the Classroom.
Elaine Hall (“CoachE”) is the founder of The Miracle Project. When traditional therapies failed to help her autistic son, she sought out creative people – actors, writers, and teachers – to work with him. The methods Elaine developed to reach kids with autism resulted in The Miracle Project profiled in the Emmy Award HBO Documentary, AUTISM: The Musical. Elaine has received awards from Autism Speaks, Holly Robinson Peete, and has spoken at The United Nations. She is a keynote speaker and leads workshops throughout North America. Elaine is the author of Now I See the Moon and Co-author with Diane Isaacs of Seven Keys to Unlock Autism: Making Miracles in the Classroom.
Diane Isaacs, a successful film producer, is the former president of Green Moon Productions, which she co-founded with Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith and now co-founder of The Miracle Project. Diane experienced The Seven Keys to Unlock Autism methods first hand when her son, Wyatt participated in The Miracle Project classes and was profiled in AUTISM: The Musical. Diane produced The Miracle Project benefit album, Fly with artists including Stephen Stills, Jack Black and Chaka Khan. She is committed to expanding The Miracle Project nationally and internationally.
Photo by: kfjmiller
This book is universal and applicable to all students of the world, in and out of the classroom. The world is our classroom and I will use these very practical skills within my family, but also within my work in Ethiopia, where I helped start a primary school and adult literacy center for women. I find the core values are internationally relevant and full of our common humanity. Thank you for offering this important guide to us all. The world will be a better place if this book could disseminate these simple truths not only locally, but globally. Let’s spread the word!