`An eye-opening and heart-opening book.' -Bonnie Benard, Senior Program Associate, WestEd Identify and promote overlooked strengths to cultivate resilience. Now more than ever, counselors, teachers, community youth workers, and parents are striving to prevent individual and school-wide tragedy before it happens. Critical to the success of their efforts is a deep respect for the adolescent experience. In this book, author and social worker Michael Ungar takes a fresh, hopeful approach to challenging youth by looking beyond the surface of "bad" behaviors to understand them as ways of coping with life's adversities. Strengths-Based Counseling With At-Risk Youth provides the tools both to understand and access strengths buried beneath problem behaviors. It offers specific, effective strategies in working with adolescents to construct positive identities and realistic action plans. Features include Six strategies for youth engagement, covering common problem behaviors such as drug use, violence, delinquency, and promiscuity An entire chapter on bullying An abundance of real-life examples and counseling narratives A Resilient Youth Strengths Inventory to assess resilience and identify areas that need strengthening Sincere application of Ungar's compassionate and open-minded strategies is sure to transform the lives of countless adolescents in need, and the institutions that serve them.

Music is unique among the arts in its ability to bring large numbers of people together in a communal creative activity transcending social, cultural and linguistic boundaries. This book looks at many examples of composers working in schools, community centres, hospitals and other situations which are not traditional contexts for music. Examples are taken from the United Kingdom as well as from projects from other places in Europe which participated in the EU-funded 'Rainbow across Europe' programme. This study examines the development over the past hundred years of what has come to be known as creative music-making, and traces its spread in other parts of Europe and beyond. It also shows how the composer's role has developed from the nineteenth-century Romantic view of a heroic figure expressing his own inner emotional life in music, towards a more socially conscious inspirational catalyst whose role is to stimulate musical creativity in others.

Thera-Build' is a LEGO (R)-based therapeutic approach for improving children's emotional well-being. Participation in Thera-Build groups can help to boost self-esteem, address common issues such as anxiety and anger, support social development and build positive attachments. This inspiring and user-friendly guide explores the power of play, introduces the basics of brain plasticity and attachment theory, and shows exactly how to set up and run an effective Thera-Build group. A wide range of imaginative games and activities is included.

* Increases knowledge in the education workforce for meeting the mental health needs of their pupils, to make positive differences for children and young people as well as for staff and for schools. * Integrates the relational skills of cognition, compassion, containment and connection into practice in the classroom will change the learning environment by increasing pupil's feelings of safety, sense of belonging and belief in their own strength and sense of self-worth. * Is designed to developing better mental health in schools helps children and young people to bounce back from adversity and be prepared for future challenge.

Since the early 90s, Carol Gray's world-famous Social Stories have helped thousands of children with autism spectrum disorders. This 15th Anniversary Edition of her best-selling book offers over 180 ready-to-use stories that parents and educators have depended on for years, and new sections added are: How to most effectively use and apply the stories; How to improve the lives of younger children; and Social Stories for teens and adults with autism. Developed through years of experience, these strategically written stories explain social situations in ways children and adults with autism understand, while teaching social skills needed for them to be successful at home, school, work, and in the community.

This text demystifies a difficult and delicate subject. It invites teachers to help themselves by acquiring a better knowledge of the issues involved, enabling them to achieve the confidence to handle a variety of sensitive issues, and foster inclusive attitudes both in and out of the classroom. Approximately one in 500 children have a serious facial disfigurement, which means that there is at least one such child in every school. Common causes are birthmarks, cleft lips and palates, scarring, burns or serious skin conditions. The author examines many of theses problems in a practical, uncomplicated style, covering: teasing, name-calling and bullying; career ideas and work experience; medical needs, special educational needs and related issues; creating inclusive school communities; self-perception and self-expression; and social skills for life. With illustrative case studies, and reference to useful resources, this book will be of particular relevance to teachers with responsibility for special educational needs, pastoral care, curriculum planning and school ethos, English, Drama, Citizenship or PSHE.

Building on comprehensive research conducted in US schools, this accessible volume offers an effective model of school leadership to develop and implement school-wide, trauma-responsive approaches to student discipline. Recognizing that challenging student behaviours are often rooted in early experiences of trauma, the volume builds on a model from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to walk readers through the processes of realizing, recognizing, responding to, and resisting the impacts of trauma in school contexts. Research and interviews model an educational reform process and explain how a range of differentiated interventions including Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports (PBIS), social-emotional learning (SEL), restorative justice, and family engagement can be used to boost student resilience and pro-social behaviour. Practical steps are supported by current theory, resources, and stories of implementation from superintendents, principals, and teachers. This text will benefit school leaders, teachers, and counsellors with an interest in restorative student discipline, emotional and behavioural difficulties in young people, and PreK-12 education more broadly. Those interested in school psychology, trauma studies, and trauma counselling with children and adolescents will also benefit from the volume.

When talking about marginality and « otherness, one must always ask, marginal to what? Other to whom? Complex issues of identity construction have been the focus of research on students who, whether based on race, gender, class, or ability, define themselves or are defined as being on the margins of school life. "Making Schools Work examines this question in its presentation of the results of a longitudinal study of academic achievement and pre-college enrichment. Discussions focus on how students construct their identities with regard to race because of the history of problems associated with race relations in educational settings. Using case studies and observational data, the book presents findings on a group of adolescents defined as « at risk--inside, but on the margins of educational institutions.

In this fully revised third edition, Corinna Laurie sets out practical strategies to help autistic children develop their sensory and motor skills. Learn to identify possible challenges, recognise signs of overload and work in a co-productive way with your student or child, developing sensory regulation strategies and improving motor skills to aid well-being. The simple, low-cost activities provide practical solutions to help children meet the demands of any situation, building skills from handwriting and using scissors to improving posture, co-ordination and motor planning. Sensory strategies include calming techniques and simple environmental modifications to prevent overwhelm, among many others. Helping to improve functional abilities and enable children to thrive and build independence, this is an essential resource for anyone working with children on the autism spectrum.

Idiots: Stories about Mindedness and Mental Retardation is a book about four children and the people who, in many respects, define their humanity. Mindedness is a quality associated with humanity that receives little attention in the scientific literature of mental retardation. The children's stories are written against the prevailing glare of the diagnoses traditional canon. Confronting mental retardation as a socially constructed disease that implies having something less than a mind, this book speaks to the rewards awaiting those who are willing to look beyond the disciplinary boundaries that define the diagnosis.

One of the most significant challenges facing teachers today is their capacity to work effectively with diverse learners. Building Connections responds to the essential needs that teachers have expressed as a result of reflecting on their experiences in schools, with learners and their families, and with colleagues. Many teachers today consider teaching to be a calling, a mission that reaches out to youth. They want to be faithful to this mission, to create effective learning environments and experiences that foster successful student achievement, and to have a sense of wholeness while doing so. This book is a personal reflection on the author's experiences with diverse people. It represents Eileen M. Cunningham's attempt to transpose these experiences and her responses to them into a framework that can be used by others who want to make sense of their experiences through a spiritual perspective.

Primary and secondary teachers who experience difficult behaviour from young children in their classrooms will welcome this handbook, first published in 1997 and now revised and updated, which encourages an objective approach to tackling behaviour problems. The strategies aim to: help the teacher gain back control of the classroom and feel positive about helping the pupil settle to work; present an observation method that measures the frequency and context of difficult behaviour; help the teacher to form useful definitions from identified patterns of behaviour; and present practical, realistic strategies that can be followed step by step or used for inspiration.;Teachers, SENCOs and pastoral staff in mainstream and special schools can use these tried and tested strategies over and over again in the classroom. The book should also be useful for teacher training courses, educational psychologists and for senior management staff who are setting up behaviour policies in schools.

"You know, Dr. Dan, that kid is from my planet." With in-depth descriptions of LEGO (R)-based therapy in action, this book explains how and why it helps to promote the development of social skills for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and related conditions. Written by Daniel B. LeGoff, who pioneered the approach, this book comprises a series of case histories of children who participated in LEGO (R) therapy. It traces the development of the evidence-based approach, shares the clinical insights gained along the way and highlights the principles which should be at the core of all effective treatment and educational strategies for children with ASDs. The case histories have real practical value for those working with children with ASDs and also help to demonstrate the subtleties of the adult facilitation role for professionals running sessions.

Anyone meeting a young child with autism for the first time will find this fully revised edition of a classic text invaluable. The authors provide parents and professionals with an insight into the nature and educational implications of autism, particularly in very young children.

In a clear and sensitive style the authors:

• outline the characteristics of autism as they present themselves in the early years;
• consider the nature of autism and the issues surrounding assessment and diagnosis;
• offer practical strategies for effective and realistic intervention both at home and in a variety of early years settings;
• suggest ways to promote learning, social development, communication and appropriate behaviour;
• explore possibilities for enhancing access to the early years curriculum.

This updated second edition includes new material relating to new statutory requirements such as Every Child Matters and Disability Equality Duty, as well as updates to different approaches to autism, assessment and behavioural issues. The authors outline the principal themes and objectives of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Inclusion Development Programme.

Autism in the Early Years: A Practical Guide (Second Edition) provides accessible material, support and advice for parents, teachers and professionals who are working together in an unfamiliar area following early diagnoses of autism in young children.

Problems of classroom management and control are a recurring concern for many teachers. Disruptive behaviour and inattention hinder effective learning and impose a constant drain upon the teachers' emotional resources. Continual nagging at children only increases teacher stress: what is needed is an effective alternative set of strategies. Originally published in 1984, Positive Teaching seeks to meets this need by presenting the behavioural approach to teaching in a clear, direct and lucid way. By adopting the behavioural approach, problem behaviour can be minimised, or rapidly nipped in the bud when it does arise. While punishment may be used in an attempt to stop almost any kind of behaviour, only the appropriate use of positive methods applied contingently, immediately and consistently can teach new, more adaptive behaviour. This is a crucial issue in real teaching and is rarely encountered or even discussed in most teacher education programmes. It is the central focus of Positive Teaching. This book is for all teachers, from the beginning student to experienced head teachers; for those teaching in a first school, and for those teaching sixth-formers; for those experiencing difficulties and for those whose authority is already well established. The behavioural approach offers practical support to those who are struggling and a rationale for the effective, positive strategies of the successful. We can all improve our teaching.

What can schools and social care workers do to help children affected by domestic violence?

Large numbers of children are affected by domestic violence. The problem crosses every social class and culture. It causes distress and anxiety in children and adversely affects their learning and play, as well as their behaviour, wellbeing and attendance.

Education staff may know of a child or family in crisis, want to help, yet feel outside their comfort zone, grappling with a complex issue not covered in their training. This book describes the impact of domestic violence on children and provides support for education and social care professionals. It takes heavy workloads into account and suggests practical ways of meeting the needs of pupils who come from difficult home backgrounds.

The authors provide guidance and advice on:

• identifying and responding to signs of distress
• helping pupils to talk about and make sense of their experiences
• the impact on parenting and how parents can be supported
• the needs of young people in refuges and temporary accommodation
• pupil safety and government safeguarding guidelines
• educating young people and the community about domestic violence
• specialist domestic violence services and other agencies that support schools.

Domestic Violence and Children draws on the expertise of a wide range of professionals, including specialist domestic violence children's workers and counsellors, psychologists, teachers, mentors and family support workers. It provides essential help and information to all children's service directorates, as well as a range of professionals in education, social care, health and the voluntary sector.

Dyspraxia is increasingly common in young children. This fully revised and updated edition of Christine Macintyre's invaluable companion explains the difficulties faced by children with dyspraxia in growing up and offers suggestions as to how these might be alleviated. In this book the children themselves, along with their parents and teachers, talk about how the difficulties change as the transition is made from primary to secondary school. Children with dyspraxia are frequently beset by frustrations as a result of their differences, can be misunderstood both at home and at school, and are very often bullied. This practical guide considers: * the issue of giving children labels * strategies to reduce stress * the value of movement programmes * raising self-esteem * the transition to secondary school * particular challenges faced during Puberty/adolescence * handwriting as an indicator of dyspraxia. Including practical activities with additional material for secondary pupils this book shows children how to articulate their differences using individualised explanations, and then go on to succeed having recognised where their talents lie. Dyspraxia 5-14 is essential reading for teachers, parents, SENCos, teaching assistants and trainee teachers who want to improve their understanding of dyspraxia and its implications for children in Key stages 1-3.

Special Education for Young Learners with Disabilities brings together leaders in the field of young children with disabilities, to present their ideas and research on different disability topics. Beginning with an introduction to the topic, the remaining chapters include discussions on learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and intellectual disabilities; those who are deaf/hard of hearing; those who have visual impairments; those who have autism, severe and multiple disabilities, and traumatic brain injury; those who are culturally and linguistically diverse; those who have physical disabilities, and other health impairments. While this book focuses largely on the current climate of special education for young learners with disabilities, it also looks forward, concluding with a chapter on the future for the topic, both on a research and a practical basis. This volume of Advances in Special Education is a fundamental resource for special education researchers, scholars, practitioners, and professionals who teach and serve young learners with disabilities.

This book contains easy-to-use activities for therapists, educators and carers to provide fun and engaging sensorimotor groups for students with movement and sensory dysfunction. The activities span an entire year with a different main activity for each week. Themed by season, the activities can be linked to the school year and incorporated into the classroom. The activities promote socialisation, postural strengthening, improvement of gross and fine motor skills, and self-regulation of the body. Comprehensive instructions on how to run a group are included, as well as benefits and adaptations for severely affected individuals and wheelchair users. There are sensory-regulating warm-up appetizers to increase body awareness and prepare the students for movement; main course activities to strengthen fine and gross motor skills; and cool-down desserts to regulate the body and assimilate benefits gained during group activities. The activities are suitable for use with any school-age students, including those without movement difficulties, but are especially beneficial for students with mild to moderate motor disabilities, who exhibit increased difficulty functioning in a group setting.

This text encourages the reader to consider the young child's signed language acquisition and subsequent reading development. Anchored in the toddler and school-pupil phase, the development path between these two phases traces out the routes that deaf children follow from one day to the other.

The importance of enhancing students' well-being is recognised around the world, yet the well-being of autistic students remains largely unexplored. With the increasing enrolment of autistic students in mainstream schools, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive understanding of the well-being of autistic students to facilitate their sense of well-being in school. Enhancing the Well-Being of Students on the Autism Spectrum offers an in-depth understanding of the well-being of students on the autism spectrum using the innovative research methodology, Photovoice. Throughout the text, the author incorporates photographs taken by students on the autism spectrum, as well as interviews with the students, their teachers, and parents, to bring the authentic experiences of these students to the fore. The book also covers: An overview of the well-being of autistic students; Barriers to the well-being of autistic students and ways to overcome them; Protective factors of the well-being of autistic students and ways to develop these within the school context. This book is a necessary companion for postgraduate students in the field of education and special education, practitioners within the school context, and researchers interested in the area of autism spectrum condition or student well-being.

This fully revised and updated second edition of Learning through Touch is essential reading for practitioners who support learners with multiple disabilities and vision impairment. These learners will rely on support from their learning partners throughout their education to mediate their learning experiences. The text explores the key role that touch plays in the education of these learners and provides practical advice about how to develop the skills through touch that they will need to become 'active agents' in their own development. The book reflects international initiatives that seek to ensure that people with disabilities have opportunities to take meaningful control within their learning and their lives. Key features include: Chapters that support curriculum access for learners with visual impairments; Reflections on up-to-date research studies and guidance for further reading throughout, allowing for a strong conceptual foundation for practice; Portfolio activities designed to help implement effective learning opportunities within your own practice. Written to assist teachers and other professionals who support children with visual impairment and additional difficulties, this text will appeal to professionals and students alike. It is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore the role of touch in creating effective learning experiences.

Temple Grandin, as the character in the book Manners Matter, steps away from the world of adults and talks in kid-friendly language directly to kids themselves. She colorfully illustrates her experiences with stories by sharing her life growing up with autism. This first book in the Temple Talks to Kids series focuses on manners and social niceties, which Temple considers to be the key that unlocks doors to social interaction, social acceptance, and social opportunities across our lives. Like it or not, we are judged by others by our behaviors. Kids will delight in Temple's familiar cowgirl style and her straight-shooting language about the importance of manners. Adults will appreciate the hard-won wisdom and advice she provides.