World Autism Day is celebrated annually on April 2; the observation of this day is a time to “Light it Up Blue” by showing awareness and concern for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
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Autism is a spectrum, meaning there's not just one type of autism, but many subtypes. Each person with autism has a different set of strengths and challenges. Some people with autism may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support or can live independently. Autism can impact a person's social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation.

If you are a teacher with students who have autism in your classroom here are some tips for helping those students thrive in the classroom:
1. Avoid sensory overload.
2. Use visuals.
3. Be predictable.
4. Keep language concrete.
5. Directly teach social skills.
6. Treat students as individuals.
​6 Tips for Teaching Students with Autism

The following are ten ideas to use in the classroom to ensure students with autism feel included. 
1. Learn about the learner from the learner. 
2. Teach to fascinations.
3. Get them talking.
4. Give choices.
5. Consider handwriting alternatives.
6. Help with organizing.
7. Support transitions.
8. Create a comfortable classroom.
9. Take a break.
10. Include. 
Supporting Students with Autism: 10 Ideas for Inclusive Classrooms

Here are a few resources for learning more about people with autism:
The Importance of Peers in Inclusive Education for Individuals with ASD
9 Tips for Interacting with Individuals with Autism
Free Online Webinars: Autism Education for Individuals, Parents, and Professionals

Social emotional learning is important to students' academic success and future achievements. Teaching social and emotional skills takes a subtle approach to introduce topics daily in classroom activities. Use social emotional learning games to start the day, give students a break between academic lessons, or as a way to reflect on the school day.

Games, apps, and activities teach SEL to students in a way that's fun and interactive so sometimes they won't even know they're learning. Even games that don't overtly teach SEL skills can help students succeed with responsible decision making, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Using digital games and apps create space for teachers to find more time throughout their day. While their students are learning important SEL skills and having fun, the teachers could be practicing self-care and mindfulness.

Below you'll find resources for SEL activities, apps, and games for your students or children.
Social-Emotional Learning Activities for Online Teaching 
Emotional Intelligence Apps and Games 
Using Digital Games for SEL Assessment and Skill Building 
The 5 Best Social Emotional Learning Apps for Teachers
Using Games to Teach Social Emotional Skills 
​20 Evidence-Based Social Skills Activities and Games for Kids
​Peekapak SEL Curriculum and Games

Since 1987, March is known as Women’s History Month as a month to celebrate women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. This month of celebration grew from the original concept of International Women’s Day, that has been observed globally since March 8, 1911. Every year, Women’s History Month focuses on a new theme; this year, 2021, the designated theme for March is “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced.”

Below are Women's History Month Videos that will help you understand more about what it is and why we celebrate it.
Gloria Steinem’s Advice to Young Women: Listen to Yourselves, Not to Me
March is Women's History Month. Watch How it Progressed Through the Years
First of Many – Women’s History Month 2021​
TED Talk: To Future Generations of Women, You are the Roots of Change​
Iconic Women to Celebrate This Women’s History Month
Events to Participate in to Celebrate Women’s History Month with The Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, and National Archives

​If you're looking to learn more about how you can empower and support all kinds of women, read the articles below:
Empowering Her Empowers all of Us
Women as Allies for Women: Understanding Intersectionality
Social and Emotional Learning is Essential for Girls to Thrive

Image from the University of Akron.

Trauma-Informed Care is an approach that assumes that an individual is more likely than not to have a history of trauma. It recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role trauma may play in an individual's life. It's not used to treat symptoms or issues related to abuse or trauma, but rather to provide support services in a way that is accessible and appropriate.
When trauma occurs, it affects an individual's sense of self, their sense of others and their beliefs about the world. Being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma can help us avoid the possibility of re-traumatization.

What IS trauma though? Trauma is defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. Each experience is different for each person; one experience may not be traumatizing for one individual, but it may be for another. Below is a list of Adverse Childhood Experiences that have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. 

ACEs:
Emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse
Parental separation or divorce
Substance abuse by household member
Witness to domestic violence
Household member with mental illness
Neglect
Incarcerated household member

Toxic stress damages the structure and function of a child's developing brain according to neuroscientists and pediatricians at Harvard, Rockefeller University, and Child Trauma Academy. When children are overloaded with stress hormones, they're in fight, flight, or freeze mode. They can't learn in school, they often have difficult trusting adults, or developing healthy relationships with peers. Often they turn to drugs, alcohol, and other unhealthy habits to escape their problems. However, resilience research shows that the appropriate integration of resilience factors (asking for help, trusting relationships, forming a positive attitude, listening to feelings) can help people improve their lives.

So what can we do? We can form a Trauma-Informed Care approach in the spaces we live and work. Below are resources that will help you under TIC more and apply it to your work or household.

What is Trauma-Informed Care? - University of Buffalo
Trauma-Informed School
Trauma-Informed Classrooms and Transformational Schools
Trauma-Informed Parenting
Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma
How to Cope with Traumatic Events Like Coronavirus
What's Your ACE Score?