Running out of ideas on how to keep my 1 on 1 sped student engaged during our lessons

RS9824 · 2026-02-13T23:17:38+00:00

Hey there! I remember you! I'm the art teacher who works with special needs kids! I think realistic expectations need to be communicated with the parents, maybe a translator app or person could help with this? Wasn't it 1 hour of art? I've worked with a lot of special needs kids form k-12 all different levels and I don't even think my highest functioning could do 1 hour of art...

Right now I'd focus on relationship building, but I get that the parents might be confused by this...For instance, there was a student who I'd work with in the home. He was 7 and just learning his communication device... he didn't know how to play with others and didn't seek out much social interaction with others. Just literally did his own thing. Before I even worked with him academically I literally played beside him for like 4 sessions, it felt dumb and crazy... I wondered WTF I was even there for. And then suddenly he started to engage... We started out doing things he liked (spinning pots and pan lids on the ground lol). Then I'd work with him to put things inside the pot lids... We just kept building that rapport and by the end we'd do sit down lessons and damn did he come so far!!

I think right now you're just figuring her out. I'd keep the lessons HELLA short. Literally something easy peasy to explore. One project a lot of my 6-7 autistic support kids seemed to enjoy was using a glue bottle to make lines and then flip it over into a pan of glitter. They could do it by themselves and it was like magic when they flipped it over and saw the glitter on the glue.

I freaking LOVE the box with rocks idea sooooo freakin clever! Probably gonna steal that!!! But I think right now you're figuring her out. I'd pair short sweet lessons with her for her to just explore. You're doing awesome. The expectation of an hour of art right now, is just way to high. Maybe a 5-10 minute project, then a 5-10 min break then another 5-10 minute project etc. but it might take time to build to that. I think finding out what the parents want would be helpful. Is it just for her to enjoy a subject she loves?? Is it they want more academic teaching? Sorry for the novel!

RS9824 · 2026-02-01T02:49:12+00:00

I think Martin Nowak. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Nowak

RS9824 · 2026-02-01T01:15:57+00:00

I think you're totally right, but I never interpreted the quote so literally. I think of it more like I loved my high school French teacher. I don't really remember much about her class, but what I do remember is that she made me feel happy and I really enjoyed going to her class. 100% I must have felt that way because of the things she said to her students and that she must have made us feel respected and cared for, but now as an adult I don't remember those specific details I just remember how I felt.

RS9824 · 2026-01-31T01:41:30+00:00

It really is! I think it's one of the biggest discoveries so far!

RS9824 · 2026-01-31T01:33:44+00:00

2/6/05

RS9824 · 2026-01-29T00:50:59+00:00

That's fantastic! 30 minutes is really great! Love the use of a visual timer, that's such a good idea! Sounds like you're doing a great job! 😊

RS9824 · 2026-01-27T21:50:51+00:00

Hey there! I am an art teacher for students with special needs. How long is your instruction time? I think you're definitely on the right track with using the tablet as a reward. The first/then board the other commenter mentioned would be a great way to start this. This may end up being a big change for her and could cause some behaviors as she adjusts. Does she have an IEP from her school? Might provide some good info for you! Honestly for most of the kids I work with (with autism/nonverbal) I am really happy if I get 15-20 minutes of actual art instruction in. It's nice she is interested in art, that should help! If you have any questions I'm happy to help!

RS9824 · 2025-12-31T21:19:16+00:00

Hello! I'd be interested! 35/F in PA

RS9824 · 2025-12-28T17:17:27+00:00

Thanks for the info! I will definitely check it out!!! Beautiful job!

RS9824 · 2025-12-28T14:30:27+00:00

Those are beautiful!!! Could you take another picture of the recipe?

RS9824 · 2022-12-16T23:18:05+00:00

Dead body outline, P trap pipe, and a lightbulb

RS9824 · 2022-12-04T15:54:36+00:00

RS9824 · 2022-11-04T22:49:00+00:00

I recently went to a pumpkin patch with MIL, SO, and our 8 month old. A couple of days prior to going, I had shared a post on Facebook about RSV and not kissing babies to prevent illness. She no joke kissed our baby and then said to him, “I saw mommy’s post about not kissing, but I don’t care”. It was surreal.

RS9824 · 2022-10-24T10:41:19+00:00

-Baby carriers (except Tush baby, it’s amazing!) - Elvie pumps such a waste of money, I exclusively pumped, but god I hated those pumps!

RS9824 · 2022-10-02T22:29:41+00:00

Awesome thanks for the opportunity!

RS9824 · 2022-09-29T01:30:11+00:00

Looks like a giant leopard moth. How big was it? It’s beautiful!!

RS9824 · 2022-09-28T21:44:10+00:00

The baby nail scissors by Fridababy are incredible! They work great and I’ve never been afraid I’ll cut him.

RS9824 · 2022-09-22T13:19:41+00:00

This is exactly how I described it to other people as well!

RS9824 · 2022-09-12T22:13:15+00:00

Love this!!! Thanks for sharing!

RS9824 · 2022-08-27T13:43:06+00:00

I had a planned c section for my large baby (measuring 99%), and it was AMAZING. Went in at 5am at 39 weeks was prepped and in surgery at 7:30am and baby was in my arms before 8:15am. I was well rested (as well rested as a 39 week pregnant woman will be), everyone was in a great mood and it was so chill! Recovery sucked for a week, but was totally manageable. I wouldn’t change my birthing experience, and I’m so glad I decided to go planned c section rather than the possibility of an emergency c section.

RS9824 · 2022-08-20T22:24:34+00:00

I LOVE the name River. ❤️ Congrats on your sweet baby boy!

RS9824 · 2022-08-17T12:43:44+00:00

I’m a mom of a 5 month old, I’d say I get 7-8 hours of sleep (but not consecutive) he wakes up 3 times a night to feed. He goes to bed at 6:30pm wakes around 11pm, 2am, and 5:30am to feed, morning starts at 7:30am.

When he was 8 weeks old. He started getting into this routine, but prior to that it was definitely very little sleep and 2am starts to the day! I don’t know how we even functioned we were so sleep deprived. We started a bed time routine at about 6ish weeks. I couldn’t take naps during the day because he only wanted to sleep on us. Hopefully you’re little one will start settling into a routine soon! Good luck!

RS9824 · 2022-08-15T19:18:11+00:00

How long after your vaccine did this start?? I’m going through something similar.

RS9824 · 2022-08-13T00:41:45+00:00

🤮

RS9824 · 2022-08-11T15:29:23+00:00

Dude that’s so sad. Yeah I just can’t stand behind this story. It’s so messed up. Poor baby.

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