General Information Around Understanding COVID-19 and Illness

The information below includes learning opportunities being provided to ALL Detroit Public School Community District students.  Please note the Homework Hotline is available to ALL Students and may be reached by calling 1-833-466-3978 during operating hours or visiting the website page at www.detroitk12.org/homeworkhotline. 

Visual Impairment - Braille or Enlargement Needs

• Please email Richard.gregory@detroitk12.org Visual Impaired Program Supervisor

Student and Families of our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs

• American Sign Language (ASL and Vocabulary Practice and Development)
  • Sign School: www.signschool.com
• Checking Hearing/Audiology Equipment:
  • www.hear-me-now.org/ling-six-sound-test/
  • www.hearinghealthmatters.org/hearingandkids/2018/why-do-we-need-the-ling-6-sound-test/
  • www.auditoryverbaltherapy.net/2015/03/25/ling-six-sound-check
• Center For Disease (CDC) Parents Guide to Hearing Loss: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/parentsguide/hearingloss/intervention-support.html

Learners Using Augmented Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices

• This is guidance for use of AAC Devices in the home for families and students with limited language and/or comprehension ability: https://www.assistiveware.com/blog/language-opportunities-using-aac-home
• Video of Tips for parents of learners who use AAC Devices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-t5HdcM84E&feature=youtu.be
• AAC for Caregivers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Ko9PitsvA

Resources for Students with Speech & Language Needs

• Circle-Time: Provides live, interactive “Mommy and Me” classes that are convenient (and engaging) for parents and (fun and) educational for children. Every group session is led by a certified subject-matter expert. The hands-on sessions are evidence-based and promote healthy play activities that continue beyond the class. https://circletimefun.com/
• Articulation and Phonology: Online Articulation Games: (elementary/middle): https://www.quia.com/pages/khornig/sayitright
• Online Language and Articulation Games - Elementary & Middle School levels: https://www.quia.com/pages/playandlearn.html
• Library of Online Speech and Language Resources for Home Practice: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1o4Pij3wBbsJD83R2F7iqNM8Gy3QCgPezHHGdiW5gcpQ/mobilebasic
• Vocabulary Spelling City - Free access - Enter code: VSCFree90 upon registration on website.www.spellingcity.com

Resources for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Challenging Behavior Toolkit and Videos: https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/challenging-behaviors-tool-kit
• Support for Siblings of Students with Autism: https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/siblings-guide-autism
• Understanding What A Social Story Is And How to Use Them: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/social-stories-for-autistic-children/
• Positive Behavioral Intervention Support (Social Stories): https://www.pbisworld.com/tier-2/social-stories/
• Toddlers with Autism (Ages 0-5): https://asdtoddler.fpg.unc.edu/
• The Autism Tool Kit contains resources to help children, teens, and adults with autism interact successfully at home, in school, and in the workplace.
  • This resource includes downloadable PDFs and helpful links for parents & families: http://autism-support.org/autism-resources/autism-tool-kit
  • The link below includes a list of communication apps, organization apps, and educational apps for individuals with autism and other special needs: http://autism-support.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/iPhone-iPod-Touch-Apps-for-Special-Ed.pdf]
• Autism Tool Kit Links:
  • Click the link and scroll down to see an extensive collection of free Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) cards: http://trainland.tripod.com/pecs.htm
• Free Printable Autism Communication Cards:
  • These free autism communication cards are perfect for making your own schedules, social stories, and talking cards: http://www.dotolearn.com/picturecards/printcards/index.htm
• Free Printable Emotion and Behavior Cards:
  • Print out these cards to communicate about hygiene, housekeeping, scheduling, and emotions/self-management: http://www.usevisualstrategies.com/AutismVisualPrintablePictures.aspx
• Story Builder - Free Social Stories Generator:
  • Story Builder is a free software program that lets you create and print your own social stories: http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/inn/usabilityservices/download2.htm
• How to Write Your Own Social Stories:
  • Social stories are easy to create once you understand how they work. This site tells you how to write your own social stories: http://www.autism-help.org/communication-social-stories-autism.htm

Early Intervention - Ages Birth to Three Years

• Have favorite stories read to you/your child by movie stars: https://www.storylineonline.net/
• ABCya! - Practice math and reading skills www.seussville.com Suessville Read play games with Dr. Suess and his friends: www.abcya.com
• PBS Kids - Hanging out with favorite characters while learning: www.pbs.org
• Toddlers with Autism: https://asdtoddler.fpg.unc.edu/

Early Childhood Preschool - Ages 2.6 Years through 5 Years Old

• Toddlers with Autism: https://asdtoddler.fpg.unc.edu/
• Switcheroozoo: Watch, listen & play games to learn all about amazing animals. Promotes Language and vocabulary development: www.switcheroozoo.com  
• PBS Kids: Vocabulary & language development: https://pbskids.org
• Storyline Online: https://www.storylineonline.net
• Online Literacy Resources: Read aloud, Storytime, sing-along & more: https://growingbookbybook.com
• ABC Mouse - “Use code “SCHOOL2568: https://www.abcmouse.com/
• Reading Skill Building Ages 3 & up: https://www.squigglepark.com/
• Scholastic: Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing: https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
• YouTube Early Childhood Preschool Outcomes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWk3SjKRAs

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Links for Exceptional Learners

• 25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Children & Teens (+Tips): https://positivepsychology.com/mindfulness-for-children-kids-activities/ 
• 10 Ways to Teach Mindfulness to Kids: https://leftbrainbuddha.com/10-ways-teach-mindfulness-to-kids/ 
• Positive Behavioral Supports at home from the Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS):https://www.apbs.org/about/families
• Positive Behavior Support Resource: https://www.pbisworld.com/tier-2/social-stories/

Mental Health Resources for All Learners

• Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (DWMHA): https://dwihn.org/ or call 1-800-241-4949
• Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html 
• Mental Health. Gov Link: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/ 
• USA National Suicide Hotlines: 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
• U.S.A. Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-7233/TTY 1-800-787-3224

Math and Reading Activities for Exceptional Learners

Primarily for Students with Developmental Disabilities - Autism, Cognitive, Early Childhood Developmental Delay, etc.

• Math Activities for Younger Students:
  • practice counting items around the home or in the yard (count pennies, spoons, socks as you fold laundry, etc.)
  • practice adding and subtracting with items (have students label the number of items)
  • work on simple money skills (identifying coins, adding and subtracting coins if they can)
  • practice recognizing shapes around the house and outside
  • draw and color a certain number of items
• Math Activities for Student Who Can Multiply/Divide:
  • use playing cards to set up multiplication and division problems
  • draw different shapes and label them
  • measure things around the house
  • help prepare meals and measure ingredients
  • practice following multi-step directions
• Reading/ELA for Younger Students:
  • have someone read to them and listen and retell the story in their own words
  • identify different letters and sounds in story/article
  • name the first sounds of items around the house
  • practice writing their names and letters they know
  • engage in conversation about anything – talk a lot
  • describe how something tastes, feels, colors they see, how does something feel in their hand
  • tell you a make-believe story and draw a picture about it
• Reading/ELA for Older Students:
  • write about what they are doing
  • write a make-believe story
  • write a poem, song, rap, cartoon, comic strip
  • orally tell you a story or describe what you are doing
  • practice multi-step directions