Toolkit This toolkit provides guidance for developing preschoolers’ school readiness skills and is designed to help caregivers and developmental therapists better understand early learning skills important for preschoolers approaching kindergarten. This toolkit is designed to help caregivers take an active role in their child’s learning by studying up on classroom participation skills. These are the skills… Read more Teaching School Readiness Skills to Preschool-Aged Children
Category: Families/Caregivers
Telehealth for Caregivers
Toolkit This toolkit is designed to help caregivers and families understand the autism evaluation process, recognize early indicators of autism, understand the differences between a tele-assessment or in-person evaluation, and prepare for a tele-assessment appointment through the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). Autism evaluation and… Read more Telehealth for Caregivers
Evidence-Based Practices for Autistic Students (for Caregivers)
What is evidence-based practice (EBP)? An intervention is an evidence-based practice when there is scientific evidence to support its claims. Evidence-based practices must be selected for implementation based on sound professional judgment, coupled with the careful review of available data, input from individuals and family members, and an honest evaluation of the educators’ and service… Read more Evidence-Based Practices for Autistic Students (for Caregivers)
Williams Syndrome Video Tip Sheet
Williams Syndrome Video Tip Sheet from Vanderbilt Kennedy Center on Vimeo.
Trauma and Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
What is trauma? Trauma is understood as experiences or situations that are emotionally painful and distressing. Trauma can overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope, leaving him or her to feel powerless. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) describe traumatic experiences in a person’s life occurring before the age of 18. Examples of traumatic events that can have… Read more Trauma and Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Why Take Part in Research
What is research and why is it important? Research is investigating a subject to discover new information, or to revise existing information. It allows us to better understand ourselves and the world around us. In the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities research, such inquiry can aid in understanding the role of genetics in development,… Read more Why Take Part in Research
Children and Stuttering (for parents)
What Is Stuttering? According to the Stuttering Foundation, stuttering occurs when the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. Unusual facial and body movements amy also be associated with the effort to speak. What Causes Stuttering? While the exact causes of… Read more Children and Stuttering (for parents)
Teaching Stranger Safety Skills to Children and Adults With Disabilities
Why Do Children and Adults With Disabilities Need To Learn Safety Skills? Compared to people without disabilities, individuals with disabilities are at increased risk of experiencing abuse, being taken advantage of or bullied, and being kidnapped. It is important for individuals with disabilities to be aware of potential dangers and to learn skills that protect… Read more Teaching Stranger Safety Skills to Children and Adults With Disabilities
How to Write a Social Story™ (for teachers)
Social Stories™ are effective methods to provide guidance and directions for responding to various types of social situations. The stories are used to describe social situations specific to individuals and circumstances while promoting self-awareness, self-calming, and self-management. Social Stories™ are not meant to change behavior; rather, they are meant to clarify social expectations. They may… Read more How to Write a Social Story™ (for teachers)
Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities (for parents)
How will my children relate to one another? Sibling relationships are often the longest-lasting relationships that your children form. Like all brothers or sisters, they may or may not develop close emotional relationships depending on individual differences and circumstances. Regardless, a child’s reaction to a sibling with a disability will have a lasting effect on… Read more Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities (for parents)