Lindsey Finch

INTASC Standard #2: Learning Differences

The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities
to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.

Licensure/Content Standard #1a: Knowing and understanding young children’s characteristics

and needs, from birth through age 8.
Licensure/Content Standard #4c: Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate
teaching/learning approaches.
Licensure/Content Standard #1c: Using developmental knowledge to create healthy,
respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for young children.
Licensure/Content Standard #2a: Knowing about and understanding diverse family and
community characteristics.

Description of Evidence and how it demonstrates the standard(s):

This Autism Awareness Brochure details the specifics on training qualifications for addressing
verbal behavior. It is a great tool for giving to parents of children with autism, teachers, and other
colleagues.

Implications for Future Teaching:

This project taught me three things: that there are several branches/side effects of autism, how to
research information for special needs topics, and that there is a great amount of information and
support for special needs instances. This brochure focused on the verbal behavior aspect of
autism but there are many other branching causes of autism. This allowed me to deepen my
understand that there are many aspects to special needs, not one child is the exact same and there
can be different reasons for different actions. This project also forced me to dive into finding
research articles, journals, etc. regarding special needs topics such as this one. Because of that, I
found a myriad of resources that parents, teachers, and students have access to such as online
support groups, books, videos, studies, and research. This gives me so much hope because not
too long ago, children with special needs were seen as outcasts and were restricted from doing
many things because nobody invested time in them. It is so inspiring to see the amount of
resources available now which aid parents and teachers in providing the most fruitful educational
experience for their children and students. I made this brochure very brightly colored, but very
simple with text. The bright colors draw the reader’s eye and gives off a cheerful vibe. The text is
simple so that a parents or teacher is not overwhelmed with a lot of information; it is direct and
to the point. I will certainly use this brochure and others similar to it in m future classroom/
school when needed.