Today, many occupational therapists want to embrace a neurodiversity-affirming practice.
But HOW do we do this exactly?
We need to understand and implement some FUNDAMENTAL priorities when we write goals.
We START with writing IEPs for students that support their unique neurobiology. And this requires honoring and understanding the ways neurodivergent children and teens live and exist in the world.
To do this, we need to understand and implement some FUNDAMENTAL priorities when we write IEP goals.
1- Every IEP goal should lower anxiety, honor genuine autistic experience (no masking), and support student desires, interests, and self-determination.
2- Each IEP goal must align with student’s unique autistic neurology, honor autistic traits, and align with student’s interests.
3- We must consider processing time needs, as well as motor, social, communication, sensory, and executive function in each IEP goal we write.
This post is targeted specifically to school-based occupational therapists, but its meaning and message is for everyone here!
When writing IEP goals, these considerations listed above are crucial for enabling students to feel stress-free, curious, emotionally available for learning, and confident in who they are.
I share this information in the visuals below!
Let me know in the comments if you are hoping to change your approach!
Check out Dr. Marnell's IEP bundle which includes both a neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based goal bank and accommodations bank!
More from Dr. Lisa Marnell and Kids Master Skills . . .
If you want to learn more ways to support your autistic students, watch my FREE MasterClass that offers you proactive supports for sensory sensitive children and teens.
Register and watch it HERE: https://www.kidsmasterskills.com/
Also, do you have my 10 Neurodiversity-Affirming posters? Download them HERE!
Join my Autism Facebook group for Occupational Therapists and learn more about strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming practice!
Join my Autism Facebook group for Parents and Professionals HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kidsmasterskillsautism
As always, feel welcome to touch base with me by e-mail at KidsMasterSkills@gmail.com
I would love to hear about your successes, your struggles, your feedback, and any questions or comments you have! Let me know if this post was helpful.
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