Resource and Tool Database
| Title | Description | Keywords | Format | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Matters | Language Matters emphasizes the critical impact of language on perceptions and inclusivity, specifically regarding disabilities. It discusses the importance of using asset-based rather than deficit-based language, addresses the implications of ableist language, and explores the preferences between person-first and identity-first language. The page encourages thoughtful reflection and dialogue about language use to promote equity and acceptance of autistic individuals. | Language, Person-First, Identify-First, Equity, Inclusion, Perspectives | Website | |
| Label the Need, Not the Person: Understanding Spiky Profiles in Autism |
In this Bite, you will learn how the language we use influences our understanding, expectations, and interactions with Autistic students. You will also explore the concept of spiky profiles and why functioning labels do not capture the full picture of a person’s abilities and challenges. |
Language, Spiky Profiles, Strengths | Bite | |
| Key Principles to Involve Peers in Advancing Inclusion and Belonging |
Creating inclusive schools begins with meaningful relationships. When students with and without disabilities have authentic opportunities to connect, learn together, and share experiences, the result is greater belonging, understanding, and growth for everyone. Involving peers is not a side effort—it is central to building communities where all students feel valued and supported. |
Peer-mediated Intervention, Inclusion, Belonging, Social Connection, Friendship | Bite | |
| iQuest Info Sheet | An Info Sheet about the iQuest, a customizable tool for identifying and practicing skills that support independence at home and school. | Independence, Self-Advocacy, Self-Determination, Goal Setting, Family-School Collaboration | Document | |
| iQuest (Independence Quest) |
iQuest is short for independence quest—a practical and dynamic tool designed to help users identify and practice skills that lead to real-life independence at home and school. |
Independence, Goals, School, Home | Document, Slide Deck, Website | |
| iQuest Begin Your Independence Quest | START is happy to introduce the iQuest, or independence Quest! The iQuest is an electronic and updated version of the Passport. The Passport was designed as a physical booklet, where teams and families identified relevant independence and self-advocacy goals by grade level and tracked them. | START Connecting | Article | |
| Introducing Learning Bites Flexible Learning for Every Path | We are excited to introduce Learning Bites or “Bites,” which are short and focused professional learning opportunities that make it easy to grow your knowledge and skills on your own time. The Bites are a mix of videos, handouts, resources, and tools designed to support neuroaffirming and inclusive educational practices. | START Connecting | Article | |
| Instruction | Foundational inclusive instructional practices are grounded in evidence-based research. We can utilize this, along with collaborative planning and student data, to create instructional environments that support all students. | Instruction, Academic Engagement, Teaching Strategies, Universal Design for Learning, Inclusive Education | Topic Page, Website | |
| Inclusive Mindset |
This Inclusive Mindset Bite reminds us that true inclusion means everyone, including people with disabilities, feels a genuine sense of belonging in everyday life. An inclusive mindset values diversity, embraces neurodiversity, and recognizes that no brain type is better than another. |
Inclusion, Neurodiversity, Belonging | Bite | |
| Girls with Autism We Have So Much to Learn | Girls with autism are amazing and unique in their own ways, just like boys with autism. They have strengths and challenges, just like boys. However, their autism manifests in ways that can be quite different from boys... | START Connecting | Article | |
| Girls with Autism: We have so much to learn |
This START Connecting Article explores how girls with autism are amazing and unique in their own ways, just like boys with autism. They have strengths and challenges, just like boys. However, their autism manifests in ways that can be quite different from boys. |
START Connecting, Girls, Masking | Article | |
| Girls with Autism: Resource List |
This resource list provides a wide variety of information that demonstrates the landscape of research and unique lived experiences of girls and women with autism. This is meant to highlight areas of strength, encourage better supports, and promote greater awareness of autism in girls. |
Girls, Masking | Document | |
| Girls with Autism: Book List |
This is document contains a list of books organized by age and topic and the categories of books include: younger children, older children and pre-teens, adolescents and young adults, health and puberty, sexuality, and parents. This book list provides a wide variety of information that demonstrates research and unique lived experiences of girls and women with autism. |
Girls, Masking | Document | |
| From Barriers to Belonging: Promoting Inclusion and Relationships Through the Peer to Peer Program | From Barriers to Belonging describes Peer to Peer, a time-tested and replicable schoolwide approach for creating meaningful social opportunities and fostering a school climate that is supportive of inclusion. | Peer to Peer, Inclusion, Belonging | Research Article | |
| Fridays for All | Fridays for All is an activity resource for elementary teachers to foster inclusive thinking and action in the classroom. This is done through circle questions, team-building games, books and/or videos, and teacher tips in order to stimulate discussion and help students learn about similarities and value differences. | Activity, Peer to Peer | Document | |
| FAPE in the LRE | Information and resources about Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), including IDEA requirements, guidance, case law, inclusive practices, and webinars. | FAPE, Least Restrictive Environment, Inclusion, Special Education, IDEA | Topic Page, Website | |
| Families | Information and resources for families of autistic students, including family-school collaboration, education, independence, sexual health, and other topics across the lifespan. | Family Engagement, Family-School Partnerships, Resources for Families, Advocacy, Collaboration | Topic Page, Website | |
| Evidence-Based Practice |
For students with autism, the research literature is clear about the importance of using evidence-based practices and professional judgment to systematically address learning and behavior support needs, while also respecting the strengths and preferences of the individual and the family. Collecting and evaluating student data assures that interventions are effective in helping students to develop social, behavioral, adaptive, and academic skills. If |
Website | ||
| Elevating Student Voices Turning Belonging into Practice | In recent years, belonging has become a key priority in our schools. When students feel invited, accepted, involved and valued, they develop a strong sense of belonging. They begin to believe, “who I am matters” in their school community. This movement toward belonging can’t stop at ideas or conversations. It requires intentional, everyday actions in how we teach, interact with, and support students. | START Connecting | Article | |
| Elementary Peer to Peer Program Fidelity Checklist | The Elementary Peer to Peer Program Fidelity Checklist provides step-by-step instructions for the development of peer support programs in elementary settings along with links to resources to help build and enhance peer supports to improve outcomes for all students. | Peer to Peer, Outcomes, Fidelity | Document |