The main aim in my classroom is to create a positive friendly environment to begin teaching, sometimes I find myself going around in circles… but I love it! Running a successful Special Ed class, in my opinion, requires a combination of effective communication and visual supports and I know by incorporating both I can significantly enhance positive behavior in my class. In this blog, I’ll guide you through how I combine critical communication skills with visual supports to promote behavior management in my wonderful class!
Tip 1: Define Clear Expectations
I always start by establishing clear behavioral expectations through visual supports and by engaging students with visuals of my classroom rules.
Then I teaching critical communication skills to ensure that every student’s perspective, abilities and needs are considered.
Tip 2: Collaboratively Create Visual Aids
I always Involve my students in creating visual aids and support systems of their preferences to promote a sense of ownership, decorated with pictures of their interests and motivators. Through discussions and choosing sessions, I guide them in designing posters, charts, or cards that visually represent each behavioral expectation. I find this collaborative approach offers a deeper understanding of the rules and a sense of responsibility for them to follow.
Tip 3: Display Visual Supports Strategically
By strategically placing visual aids in areas where they can be easily seen and accessed. A choice of support cards, critical communication aids such as “Break” and “Help” are always easy for students to find and I discuss with staff how the visual aids will help everyone remember and adhere to the agreed-upon behavioral expectations.
Tip 4: Teach and Model Behavior
Utilize critical communication skills to teach and model positive behavior. I engage my students when behaviors are demonstrated to the supporting visuals, and encourage them to share their thoughts and solutions, promoting critical thinking with self regulation supports.
Tip 5: Implement a Collaborative Reward System
I work with my students to design a reward system that aligns with their preferences. Use critical communication skills I gather their input on incentives and rewards for positive behavior to establish a system where students feel empowered to make decisions about their own motivation. An individualised Visual Schedule, Token Economy Support are particularly valuable for my Classroom Behavior Management. It lets students know what activity they need to do, what motivator they can work for and supports them throughout the school day.
Its been hard work with many an hour planning and preparing but its been worth every second!
