R-word

This is a cause that has a special meaning to me of course as a special education teacher. I work in a middle school where my students can benefit from inclusion with their peers regardless of the severity of their intellectual disability. Yet, even in this setting where their "typical" peers interact with and see my students on a daily basis, I still hear the R-word in the hallway or during lunch, and every time I get that burning feeling in my ears. According to the Spread the Word to end the Word website: "Respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities.  However, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing and exclusive effects of the word “retard(ed)." If that isn't enough to change your mind about the use of the r-word, here is a video that might.  

Work Box System

First of all, I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted! Things have been crazy, my fiance's grandmother passed, my brother had a baby, and we went on a trip to Chicago..needless to say - life took over and I have been a bad blogger! Also, my camera is broken so my pictures are all from my phone (not the greatest quality) Anyways - as part of setting up my room, I have been lucky enough to have the Autism specialist and the Transition specialist from my district help me develop a new work box system. First, I will explain the concept of the system and then I will show you step by step how it works.

The work box system is designed to teach students to become independent in following a visual schedule to complete a series of work tasks. The purpose is to prepare students to be able to sustain working without prompts so they can be more independent and successful in a work setting in the future.

The main thing to remember is that the work box tasks themselves are not what is important. It is the process of following the steps in the system that is the goal. (I will explain these steps later in the post) In order for the student to learn to follow the system, they should only be given work boxes on their schedule that they can do independently, without prompts.

Before I can go further, I need to clarify what I mean by "prompts". If a student is working only when someone is seated right next to them, giving them directions on what to do, then that student is not independent in that skill. Independent would mean the student can sit down to do a task without an adult standing over them, know what to do by looking at the task, and complete it without assistance.

Here's how the system works and I will explain as I go!

My students are all easily distracted so they need a work area that is free from other stimuli as possible. 

The student is given a schedule strip that contains icons that correspond with work boxes that they can do within the system. At the end of the strip, I like to put a picture of a reinforcer that will be motivating for the student. (Yes, those are socks and I have no idea why a child would decide to work for socks but this one does!) IMPORTANT: Not all students will be able to start with 3,4,5 tasks in a row. The point is for them to do it INDEPENDENTLY so if that means only 1 simple task (put the ball in the cup) and then a reinforcer, then so be it, we can build up to more tasks later. 

The student pulls off the first icon and goes to the system to match it to the corresponding work box. This does not have to be organized by numbers, it just happened that all of my students can match number to number but some students may need to go by color/shapes/pictures/etc. 

Find the match and take the box back to the work area.

Student completes the task (this one was sorting silverware) Now, the number goes into a finished box so the student will know it is no longer on the schedule. 

This is the part that I have heard conflicting opinions on, I have my students place the finished box into a designated area and we do not deconstruct the box and put it back until a later time (after the students are gone) The reason we do this is because our students had somehow (previous methods) learned to take apart the job after they did it and realistically, in a workshop setting when they are being paid, we don't want them taking apart every job they do! (won't make employers happy when you are un-doing your work!) This bin is located right next to their desk so no need to travel to put the job away. 

And the system goes on for as many icons as the student has until they reach the end (socks!! yay!) 

With this student, we are trying to teach him to initiate requests, so he has to select the reinforcer form his device which has a voice output ("I want socks") This lets us know he is finished and ready for reinforcement, it also is preparing him for a work setting where he might need to ring a bell or hit a switch when he is ready for a break or needs more supplies. 

That's pretty much how it works! Now keep in mind, my students can not all do this 100% independent yet. We are still in the teaching process but the main thing is that when teaching the system, we use the least intrusive prompts possible. So for my student that needs more support, I stand back (3-5 ft.) and only step in with a gestural prompt (pointing or tapping) when they stop working or have trouble moving to the next step in the sequence. REMEMBER: The work boxes should be tasks they already have mastered, they should be able to look at it and know exactly how to complete it with zero prompting! 

Here are some examples of what are in some of my work boxes, they range from very simple tasks to complex, multi-step tasks. They cover a variety of skills including fine motor, sorting, life skills, academics, etc. 

A fine motor/color sort combo

Fine motor/life skills 

Starting to get more complex - Math: check bottom of container for number and select correct amount

A multi-step sorting/assembly task: Put the correct size container with corresponding lid into each section and close with wooden peg inside the containers with each lid on. 

Life Skills/Fine motor: Fold napkins into squares

Does not have to be a "box", file folder activities can also be a work task! As long as you have an icon for them to match to!

Whew! Sorry that post was so long !I hope it made sense and I am by no means an expert in work boxes, I am still learning myself so input is appreciated!