Ask a Special Educator

04/25/2026

I remember when I saw TG in person. Now's your chance!

04/24/2026

Centers work in every class. That includes self-contained life skills classrooms.

04/23/2026

Looking for a fun way to build your future? 🎉

Join our FREE 6-week employment workshop designed just for youth ages 14–25 with disabilities! This is your chance to learn real-world skills, meet new people, and gain confidence for your next steps.

✨ What you’ll get:
• Self Advocacy & Communication skills
• Resume & interview skills
• Fun, interactive activities
• Supportive and welcoming environment

Whether you're thinking about your first job or planning your career path, this workshop is here to help you shine! 🌟

📞 Ready to sign up? Call:
Amanda at 801-317-2858
or Nikki at 801-317-2882

Spots are limited—don’t miss out!

04/23/2026

Hi Everyone. We are hosting a benefits planning class. If your child has a disability no matter their age or if you are a youth with a disability and want to know more about benefit planning. This class is for you. We only have a few more spots left so call Amanda @ 801-317-2858 to reserve your spot.

03/21/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G4A8QHWqz/

🍦💙 WE’RE HIRING! 💙🍦

Scoops & Smiles is looking for teens and adults with disabilities who are interested in joining our team!

Our mission is to create meaningful job opportunities in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment — all while serving up some delicious treats! 😊🍨

If you or a loved one may be interested, we would LOVE to connect with you!

Please reach out to us or share this post with someone who might be a great fit!

Let’s spread the smiles together 💙

02/10/2026

Sensory Regulation clears the cluttered pathway and opens the door for learning.

02/04/2026

Who doesn't like a fun trend? Who is this person though? 😆

02/04/2026

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝?

𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐃
Think of sensory overload as a system failure warning. The brain is receiving more information (noise, light, touch, smell) than it can process.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: It is like a computer "freezing" because too many tabs are open. The person feels "prickly," anxious, or physically pained by things others don't notice.

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬: Shoulders rising toward the ears, shallow breathing, covering the eyes or ears, and becoming "snappy" or irritable.
The body is trying to make itself small to hide from the input.

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍
A meltdown - the System Crash - is an involuntary neurological explosion. It is not a choice, and it is not a "tantrum" used to get something. It happens when the nervous system completely loses the ability to regulate.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: Total loss of control. The "logical brain" (prefrontal cortex) has completely shut down, and the "survival brain" (amygdala) is in total command.

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬: Intense physical release - screaming, sobbing, flailing, or even aggression. The body is trying to "discharge" an unbearable amount of energy, the person in this moment because they are in a state of pure biological survival.

11/19/2025

How long will I take cupcakes to school?
When you belong to a child with a disability, old fashioned rules go out the window.
And honestly, so do societal norms.
When Amos turned twelve this week, I took cupcakes to school.
When I turned twelve, I had a boy girl birthday party with a rented jukebox.
Amos wanted chocolate cake, a trip to Norway, backyardigan legos and to be small enough to fit inside the tv.
The last three are not options so there’s that.
But I did take the cupcakes and brought along his service dog.
We sang happy birthday and Amos happily sang along too.
His fellow students adore him and are willing to play chase and do all the things that Amos still enjoys though those students may be rightfully aging out of the childhood games.
Next year is middle school.
It’s hard for me not to fall down the rabbit hole of worry of what that will look like.
Drop off and pick up with no grown up supervision.
Will teachers be willing to have cozy corners?
Will Amos be able to maneuver the campus without teachers leading the way?
How does inclusion look as curriculum gets harder?
How long can I take cupcakes?
So many questions and yet, the cupcake one tugs my heart.
After spending an hour with a class of fifth graders, I knew.
These children not only know Amos, they LOVE Amos.
All his imperfections are not only tolerated but admired.
I could envision their sixth grade selves happy to see Amos’s mom.
After all, who doesn’t love a cupcake?