Learning Corner — Simple Funding Report Template for Autism Support

Hi! I’m the Learning Corner genie. I’ll show you how to make a simple, clear report about how money was spent to help a child with autism become more independent and what goals to set for next year. I’ll explain it like you’re 5 — short, kind, and easy to follow.

Simple steps for your report

1. Title and dates

   • Give your report a name.
     Example: “How Funding Was Used: 2024–2025”
   • Say the time period the money covered.

2. Quick summary (1–3 sentences)

   • Say how much money, what it was for, and one short result.
     Example: “We spent $2,000 on therapy and life-skill classes. This helped Sam use a picture schedule and brush teeth with less help.”

3. How much money and what it paid for

   • List each expense simply: date, what it paid for, how much, who was paid.
     Example bullets:
   • March 2025 — Speech therapy (10 sessions) — $600 — Provider: BrightSpeech
   • April–June 2025 — Life-skills class (8 sessions) — $400 — Provider: KidSkills
   • July 2025 — Tablet apps for communication — $200
   • Receipts attached

4. What we wanted (last year’s goals)

   • List the goals you set last year in simple words.
     Example:
   • Goal 1: Use picture schedule for morning routine.
   • Goal 2: Ask for help with words (use a communication app).

5. What we did (activities)

   • Say what happened. Keep each item one line.
     Example:
   • Used a picture schedule every morning for 3 months.
   • 10 speech sessions focusing on requesting.
   • Practiced tooth brushing with a timer at home.

6. What changed (outcomes)

   • Say what got better and give numbers or examples. Use short facts.
     Example:
   • Uses picture schedule independently 4/5 mornings (used to be 1/5).
   • Asked for help with words 12 times in sessions; uses app at home twice a day.
   • Parent report: less tantrums at morning routine.

7. Evidence (attach or list)

   • Say what proof you have. Keep it simple.
     Example:
   • Session notes, attendance logs, photos of the schedule, receipt copies, short progress chart.

8. What worked / what didn’t

   • Two short bullets for each.
     Example:
   • Worked: Daily practice and visual schedule helped mornings.
   • Didn’t work: Some apps were too hard; one therapist changed mid-year which slowed progress.

9. Lessons learned

   • One or two short ideas to use next time.
     Example:
   • Pick apps that match current skill level.
   • Keep the same therapist if possible for consistency.

10. Goals for next year (make them SMART)

    • SMART = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Make 2–4 goals.
      Example:
    • Goal A (Daily living): By June 2026, Sam will put on shoes independently 5 out of 7 mornings for 4 weeks.
    • Goal B (Communication): By June 2026, Sam will use the communication app to request at least 3 different needs during play each week for 8 weeks.

11. Plan & budget for next year

    • Short plan and how much money you need for each part.
      Example:
    • Weekly life-skills class (30 min) — $600 for 20 sessions.
    • New communication app + training — $300.
    • Home practice materials (visuals, timers) — $100.

12. How we will measure success

    • Say how you will check progress and how often.
      Example:
    • Monthly logs, therapist notes, 3 photo samples per month, and a short parent checklist every 2 weeks.

13. Sign off

    • Who wrote the report, date, and who to contact.

Short template you can copy

• Title:
• Dates covered:
• Total funding:
• Summary:
• Expenses (date — item — amount — provider):
• Last year’s goals:
• Activities done:
• Outcomes (with numbers):
• Evidence attached:
• What worked / didn’t:
• Lessons learned:
• Goals for next year (SMART):
• Plan & budget:
• How we will measure:
• Author / contact / date:

Mini example (very short)

• Title: Funding report 2024–25
• Dates: Jan–Dec 2025
• Total funding: $1,500
• Summary: We used money for speech and life-skills classes. Sam now uses a picture schedule more days and asks for help with the app.
• Expenses: Speech therapy (10 sessions) $600; Life-skills (8 sessions) $500; App $200; Materials $200.
• Last year goals: Use picture schedule; ask for help.
• Activities: Daily schedule at home; 10 speech sessions; practice brushing.
• Outcomes: Uses schedule independently 4 days/week (up from 1); used app to request 3 times/week.
• Evidence: Session notes, receipts, photos.
• Next year goals: Put on shoes independently 5/7 mornings by June 2026; use app for 3 needs/week for 8 weeks.
• Budget next year: $900 for classes, $200 for tech, $100 materials.
• Signed: Parent Name, Date

Tips to keep it easy

• Use plain words. No long sentences.
• Add receipts and short session notes as attachments.
• Use numbers (how many times per week, percent, or “4 of 5 mornings”) — funders like numbers.
• Keep it 1–2 pages if you can. Attach extra evidence instead of making the report long.

If you want, I can:

• Make a filled report from your notes (paste what you have).
• Turn goals into SMART goals.
• Make a short progress chart or checklist.

Try logging the activities in Subject Explorer to make documentation easy. You can also build follow-up lessons and tools with /lesson-planner, create practice sheets with /worksheets, and explore other helpful tools at /tools.