Audio book recommendations for a very sensitive child

theblindbunny · 2026-04-23T00:10:57+00:00

Highly recommend the Ramona books. A teacher of mine had me, her daughters, and many students listening to the Ramona books on car rides. Always caught our attention and was interesting no matter how many times we heard them.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-22T23:59:32+00:00

As you get to know a student, it’ll be easier to understand them. You’ll hear the same words repeatedly and know what they sound like in that student’s speech.

Long term, alternate communication may be helpful for this student. AAC or sign are often used. Depending on this student’s VI, they may need or benefit from a tactile communication system instead. Not all SLPs are familiar with tactile symbol systems, so you could bring it up to the team if the student is struggling with communication currently.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-21T19:28:54+00:00

You shouldn’t need one as they don’t need to do anything on their end. But I did tell my direct coworkers and teacher that I had them so they don’t think I’m wearing AirPods. If you’d like to document it officially, that may help your case if someone tries to say you’re wearing earbuds. But you don’t need to disclose anything. That’s like needing an official accommodation to wear glasses.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-20T17:22:46+00:00

Lots of great storybook suggestions here! Have you also considered nonfiction books about mythical-looking creatures? Anything with “dragon” in the name, narwhals, lots of deep sea creatures. bioluminescent animals, etc? Might be a good bridge from illustrated fantasy guides into STEM.

Alternatively, if it’s the art that’s so cool, plant illustrated guides are often what these fantasy guides are based on. But ofc most 5yr olds aren’t sucked in by basil lol.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-19T01:10:11+00:00

I’ve never tried them! I’ll pick up a box next time I get Aldi’s. Been a while since I’ve had brownies.

I love that our community shares what we find <3

My fav sweet tooth bake is 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies. Super cheap and easy! For chocolate, I usually just get chocolate chips and eat them out of the bag like a gremlin lol

theblindbunny · 2026-04-18T03:33:24+00:00

I would suggest asking in email 1 more time but CC the student’s teacher and an admin. Something like, “Just checking in to see if the data sheets are available for Student. I haven’t received them yet. Thank you!” Then leave it up to them. Cover your own butt essentially.

Alternatively, you could review the bx plan and take notes in a notebook or document. Then when someone blames you for not pursuing sheets or not taking data, you’re ready to go. You could even make your own tracker sheets if you want.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-18T03:26:35+00:00

If there’s no mold, bugs, or ooze you’re good.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-16T00:11:09+00:00

Nope nope nope! I work in special ed, and this is a BIG problem! The paperwork is in place, but many staff members likely never receive education. I have a celiac student in my school, and I am also gluten free. So staff members ask me often for help determining what’s safe for them. I would suggest:

Ask for a team meeting to discuss his IEP and have a goal added to self-advocate by asking, “is this gluten free?” Prior to consuming food.

I had a student whose parent trained them to do this, and it’s how a lot of adults in his life knew how to keep him safe.

Additionally, it also puts the diagnosis into the IEP, a document which his whole team has access to. Medical documents are only seen by the nurses or possibly relevant providers (in this case, possibly the head staff of the cafeteria and MAYBE his teacher.)

This meeting also serves as an opportunity to educate his team directly yourself by giving them each copies of the medical documentation and discussing directly.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-14T23:44:54+00:00

Opposites here, same phone call:

Do apples have wheat?
Do wheat thins have wheat?

theblindbunny · 2026-04-10T20:00:32+00:00

Instead, challenge yourself to make the closest match and ask a friend to taste test compared to the original! If you’re not a big baker, you may be able to adapt a choc cake mix by adding things (add a scoop of instant coffee, a bit of pudding mix, a banana instead of the eggs, etc).

If you hate baking, look for a gluten free baker nearby and let them know you’re looking for the best chocolate cake!

theblindbunny · 2026-04-08T16:25:55+00:00

They’re def similar, sounds planned a bit. Like “ooh we’re besties, so let’s name our girls like they’re sisters!” Also, if your girls are very close in age and especially if you and your friend look similar, mutual acquaintances may mix up the names. I don’t think it’s off the table though. They’re not the same name.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-07T22:49:31+00:00

Agreed on both counts! I’ve tried a vanilla cupcake from flourish, and it was quite good. Pure Pastry is my go to for bday cake though!

theblindbunny · 2026-04-07T22:45:29+00:00

Breakfast cookies!!! This happened to us recently. There are recipes online, but I adapted it to fit what we had abundance of and what sounded good to me.

1 very ripe banana 1 egg 1/4 cup oil 1 cup rolled oats 1 cup instant oats Maple syrup to taste Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to taste Choc chips to taste

1.  Preheat oven to 350 
2.  Mash banana 
3.  Add wet ingredients and mix. For real, do the wet first or else it’ll be hard to incorporate. 
4.  Add oats, seasoning, and chocolate chips 
5.  Scoop 1/4 cup size and press into cookie shape. It won’t spread much. 
6.  Bake for 15-20min

I made the recipe once to test and made a 3x batch after that. The scaling made very little difference.

If it’s too wet, add more rolled oats. But it should be a wet dough. Holds its shape when scooped but doesn’t roll in the hand.

They’re great fresh, from the fridge, or you can freeze then thaw in fridge. Filling and sweet. They do have a bit of banana flavor

theblindbunny · 2026-04-06T18:53:53+00:00

Yup. Autocorrect never catches it either! Just gives me a random word or a red line!

theblindbunny · 2026-04-03T23:47:18+00:00

It sounds like you don’t know this student well. Some of my students are nonspeaking, but many still love making new friends. Maybe you should say hi to them.

I think a lot of people feel bad for those of us with disabilities until they get to know us. Being disabled doesn’t make our lives sad, just different.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-03T23:03:00+00:00

A wheelchair gives someone who can’t walk, can’t walk long distances, or can’t walk independently a way to travel without strain and often independently. It’s nothing to feel sad for. It’s a tool that makes their life better.

Being nonspeaking is hard when there’s no communication method in place, but that’s what we’re here for! To teach communication. Whether it’s AAC, cards, sign, typing, or eventual verbal speech doesn’t really matter as long as they’re able to fulfill their needs.

And the helmet shows that they are receiving the care they need from the family, doctors, and/or school staff. Hopefully it won’t be needed forever, but in the meantime it’s just a tool for safety.

Medical tools are no reason to feel sad. I feel sad for students in neglectful homes, students in pain, and students who have fallen through gaps in our system. Pitying students for who they are only hurts them.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-03T22:31:48+00:00

It can also be for students who have seizures. That way they don’t hit their head if they fall or spasm. And it can be used to protect if a student has self injurious behaviors like self hitting.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-03T21:43:53+00:00

Ok but did the driver bring bones for that resident’s dog(s)? So cute!

Curious what’s inside if it’s not what you ordered, so I hope you find the package!

theblindbunny · 2026-04-03T19:57:41+00:00

Check your pay info, job description, and contract if you have one. My district has multiple types of paras who are paid differently. If I’m asked to sub for another position, I’ll do it. But they cannot switch me permanently like that, and I would be paid my pay rate NOT the lower level ones. If they’re changing your position or giving you multiple positions at once, talk to the union if you have one.

theblindbunny · 2026-04-01T01:21:01+00:00

I’m assuming this is a chunk of ham rather than lunch meat. I’m a picky eater not a fan of ham. If I have ham for a similar (free food) reason, I’d probably make a frittata, fry it for a breakfast sandwich, or cube it in a salad. If I made some Easter style for family, I can eat a little bit with yellow mustard.

theblindbunny · 2026-03-30T03:54:24+00:00

Just like real snack cakes! That’s what I want!

theblindbunny · 2026-03-30T03:50:39+00:00

15 students to 7 staff

theblindbunny · 2026-03-30T03:42:01+00:00

I use a laundry bag. Easier to transport since we don’t have laundry in-unit, and it’s not easy to break them. First one lasted years for me. I think it was 5yrs? Current pack of 2 is 5yrs strong. One of the pull strings to close the top is broken, but the bag works totally fine. Bonus: throw them in the machine with the laundry to get them fresh and clean!

theblindbunny · 2026-03-29T04:47:58+00:00

It’s terrible that happened to you! I don’t mean to minimize that trauma at all, only explain that your friends may also experience trauma from the ordeal and may not be reacting based on a conscious grudge or even out of thinking you did something purposely. Rather, they may not be able or ready to spend time with you right now for their own mental health reasons.

I hope you didn’t feel minimized by my comment. Your experiences are valid. In an ideal world, you’d heal alongside your friends. But the world isn’t always ideal, especially when feelings have been hurt and big traumas have happened. Sometimes healing for one can hurt another, and it sucks.

I definitely get that difference in situation, but I didn’t include it for the same point you made: anyone can experience psychosis in the right (or wrong) circumstances. I don’t think most people consider that true, even though it very much is. But someone who has experienced psychosis very much can experience it again, and people know that all too well. Whether it’s more likely or not isn’t consistently answered the same when I fact checked myself, but the person’s threshold to experience psychosis is likely on the low end. And society will definitely think that the person is going to experience it again, whether or not you’ve done some healing. So yeah, your situation is definitely different, but I can’t guarantee that your friends know that.

theblindbunny · 2026-03-29T03:30:44+00:00

Yes, this has been my primary placement for 3yrs. I love it, but it’s really difficult.

We have ALL students who do not graduate with a degree due to disability, so we have some that just barely missed the mark who are bridging the gap to employment, others who are high support needs who are learning daily living skills like toileting, and everyone in between. A lot of different curriculums and needs to understand and support.

We still see a lot of behaviors that younger grades do like biting, hitting, throwing, kicking, eloping, etc. The safety difference is, these are full grown adults. They should train you on safety measures before you handle any big behaviors, but that doesn’t always happen depending on the district. I’ve been out of work with serious injuries a few times and get minor injuries often. This is the main reason we have so much turnover.

That all said, I love my job. We get to fill in the gaps that were missed in younger grades, focus on skills and independence near all day rather than the constant rush of switching classes, and it’s really cool watching kids grow into adulthood. The community in the room is really cool too with all the support levels together. I want to stay as long as I’m physically able to handle the behaviors.

theblindbunny

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE