Social skills may impact a student with a disability more than the disability itself. Learn the social deficits and challenges associated with disabilities as well as strategies to support social skill development. A variety of professionals share their success strategies so readers (parents, teachers, counselors, psychologists, and others working in the disability field) can incorporate them into their professional "toolbox" and practice. Included are strategies from Special Educators, School Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors, an Occupational Therapist, and a Psychologist. Current issues such as bullying are explored in addition to ways that professionals and universities should be involved in supporting social skills of students with disabilities. A special section on working with parents includes a handout with strategies parents can use while social skills are developing in their child.

"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.

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.

This beautifully illustrated and sensitive therapeutic fairy tale has been created for children experiencing feelings of loneliness and social isolation. With engaging and gentle illustrations to help prompt conversation, it tells the story of a young girl encouraged to feel more confident in herself by an animal guide, using nature as a support. Therapeutic Fairy Tales is a series of short modern tales dedicated to exploring challenging feelings and life situations that might be faced by young children. Each short story is designed to be used by parents, carers, teachers, and therapists as they support children's mental and emotional health. This book is also available to buy as part of the Therapeutic Fairy Tales, Volume 2 set, which includes The Waves and Into The Forest. Other books in the series include: Storybook Manual: An Introduction To Working With Storybooks Therapeutically And Creatively The Waves: For Children Living With OCD Into The Forest: For Children With Feelings Of Anxiety The Night Crossing: A Lullaby For Children On Life's Last Journey The Storm: For Children Growing Through Parent's Separation The Island: For Children With A Parent Living With Depression The Sky Fox - part of the Therapeutic Fairy Tales series - is born out of a creative collaboration between Pia Jones and Sarah Pimenta. .

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.

* 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.

Each chapter will include key words, further reading and advice on applying ideas Australian school team leaders will have access to a single handbook which provides examples of feasible ideas to inform implementation to share with educators Several case studies will be used throughout Australian technical assistance teams will have persuasive local evidence to inform their training International researchers & implementers will learn about successful innovations & applications

Quality Activities in Center-Based Programs for Adults with Autism: Moving from Nonmeaningful to Meaningful describes what constitutes meaningful versus nonpurposeful activities for adults with autism and other severe disabilities in a classroom or center-based program. Then this step-by-step guide presents an evidence-based process for changing nonpurposeful activities, using behavior analytic research and application. The goal is to help ensure adults with autism and other severe disabilities are engaged in week-day activities that truly enhance their income-earning capacity, independence with life skills, day-to-day enjoyment, and overall dignity.

Social skills may impact a student with a disability more than the disability itself. Learn the social deficits and challenges associated with disabilities as well as strategies to support social skill development. A variety of professionals share their success strategies so readers (parents, teachers, counselors, psychologists, and others working in the disability field) can incorporate them into their professional "toolbox" and practice. Included are strategies from Special Educators, School Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors, an Occupational Therapist, and a Psychologist. Current issues such as bullying are explored in addition to ways that professionals and universities should be involved in supporting social skills of students with disabilities. A special section on working with parents includes a handout with strategies parents can use while social skills are developing in their child.

The English language can be extremely confusing and illogical, especially for people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who interpret meaning in a very literal way. Why should an announcement that cats and dogs are falling from the sky indicate heavy rain? And what have chickens got to do with being a coward? It's Raining Cats and Dogs is a witty and stylish insight into the mind of someone with an ASD. It beautifully illustrates why people with ASDs have problems understanding common phrases and idioms that others accept unquestioningly as part of everyday speech. The quirky drawings will entertain and inspire those on the spectrum, giving them the confidence to recognise figures of speech, feel less alienated and even use idioms themselves. The drawings will form instantly memorable references for those with ASDs to recall whenever they need to and will be helpful for anyone curious to understand the ASD way of thinking. They will enable people on the spectrum and their friends, families, teachers and colleagues to better understand and communicate with each 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.

What's the biggest challenge facing teachers today? Behavior. And which students present the most baffling and unique behavior problems? Our awesome kids on the autism spectrum. We love them, but it can be difficult to understand and deal with their challenging behaviors. But behavior analysts aren't in the classroom; teachers are. And most teachers can't call a behavior analyst every time a behavior problem crops up. Even when they do call in a behavior analyst, they might not understand all that talk about the "discriminative stimulus" and the "conditioned reinforcer." It's all so dry and confusing. Teachers don't have time to wade through all that jargon, they're too busy teaching. So what's a teacher to do when a student throws a chair, or bites her hand, or refuses to work? It's up to teachers to figure out solutions before the behavior gets worse. They need help. The ABCs of Autism in the Classroom: Setting the Stage for Success was written by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst who was also a teacher for many years, as well as an autism mom. Here you will find evidence-based, research-supported behavioral tools presented in teacher-friendly language. You'll meet a virtual village of students with problem behaviors you might find in your own classroom. You'll also read stories shared by kids and adults on the autism spectrum, in their own words.

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.

Placement of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment has become a central issue in special education. To date, no comprehensive treatment of placement issues is available, especially for students with emotional and behavioral disorders who present particularly difficult placement problems. This book combines data and discussions intended to further the understanding of how and why decisions are made to place students with emotional or behavioral disorders in particular educational environments. This volume establishes the problem of placement in a contemporary and historical context, reviews the literature on placement of students with emotional or behavioral disorders, and discusses placement options and concerns about multicultural issues, post-secondary education, law and regulation, demands on teachers, and policy choices.
Its goals are to:
* improve understanding of decision processes leading to placement,
* set the stage for improvements in pupils' lives in school and elsewhere, and
* stimulate research on the many placement issues that are left unresolved.

An effective evidence-based programme, this practical handbook provides everything schools need to make the transition from primary to secondary school as smooth and successful as possible for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The first part of the book explains how to create individualised transition plans for each child, and describes how school staff can collaborate successfully with parents and carers. Part two contains a wealth of practical, photocopiable resources for use directly with pupils on the autism spectrum that help to address their most frequent support needs, including sensory sensitivities, anxiety issues and difficulties with planning and organisation. The resources can be used in a pick and choose way based on the individual needs of the child. Developed and trialled extensively by the Social Communication Disorders Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital, this handbook will be an invaluable resource for SENCOs, teachers, autism support workers, educational psychologists and other professionals working with pupils with ASD.

The challenges associated with the education and treatment of children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) have proven to be both persistent and exceedingly complex. Thus, our best hope for improving outcomes for students with or at risk for EBD lies not in miracle cures or the eradication of all disorders, but in the incremental progress that furthers our understanding of the nature of EBD, enabling us to systematically refine interventions. Toward these goals, this volume focuses on emerging research and issues related to students identified with or at risk of EBD. Chapters within the volume include reports of original research, and summaries of new and emerging research issues. Specific topics include: bullying; technology-based self-monitoring; issues around the direct observation of both student and teacher behavior; the characteristics of youth served in residential or other alternative settings because of their EBD; and the application of function-based logic to social skills intervention. Two additional chapters examine issues around identifying evidence-based practice in EBD, including guidance for practitioners who may be overwhelmed by the challenges of teaching students with EBD, as well as the vast array of resources they must sift through to locate credible and reliable information on effective interventions.

This book is a journey written to develop confident teachers. It shows how keeping a Behaviour Journal can help teachers to reflect on their techniques and behaviours as well as the behaviours of their students, and can enhance critical thinking, trainee-centred learning and research. The book highlights how keeping a Behaviour Journal can increase communication and language affecting behaviour and learning. It includes tried and tested exercises that allow readers to practice the art of keeping a Behaviour Journal as well as examples from past Behaviour Journal writers who share their experiences, demonstrating how the journal can facilitate the immediate and regular sharing of the trainee learning in the classroom with the mentor or consultant. It shows readers how to: create a Behaviour Journal as a model and tool for initial teacher training to foster independent and reflective learning use observations and reflective skills to produce convincing well-evidenced reflective writing using experience, observations and relevant reading be critical of classroom systems, strategies or programmes to ensure validity or recognise inadequacies Expertly written by an experienced trainer, this book is a fantastic resource for teachers, trainers of teachers, mentors and anyone looking for new ideas and ways of developing teachers in schools and colleges.

Understand and support executive function in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with this fully-explained, innovative model. Showing how to use an individual's strengths to address executive functioning weaknesses, this approach will also help to build a strong foundation for social and communication skills. Advocating a person-centred approach, the author describes the importance of identifying the individual's preferred style of engagement and communication, and how sensory experiences impact their thoughts, feelings, and actions. She explains how to use this information to identify the individual's strengths and weaknesses across eight key areas which are the building blocks of executive functions: attention; memory; organization; time management; initiative; behavior; goal setting and flexibility. These areas can be used daily to establish predictability and offer a foundation for interpreting, processing and understanding the world with flexibility. Professionals and parents can also use them as the basis of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or to create personalized interventions and support at school or at home.

Written by an experienced school and meditation teacher, this book is packed with tried and tested mindfulness exercises and relevant follow-up wellbeing, pastoral and academic activities for anyone working with young people. It includes discussions about education and wellbeing, anecdotes from real life experience and numerous testimonies from students and teachers, as well as easy to follow instructions and plenty of useful in-depth explanations. All activities in this book link to variety of school subjects, including science, maths, philosophy, music, art and sport. Divided into two parts, the book explores: What mindfulness and grounding are How mindfulness and grounding works at home, in daily life and in education How teachers can use mindfulness and grounding in the classroom and how parents can support mindfulness and grounding at home What effects can be expected from mindfulness meditation This book is an invaluable resource for secondary teachers, youth workers, therapists and parents and can be used in classrooms, pastoral offices, youth clubs or at home.

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.

This practical guide equips practitioners to support families and carers in developing effective toilet training programmes and provide continued help with analysing and addressing problems that occur. With appropriate intervention and persistence most children on the autism spectrum can be toilet trained, however difficult it may sometimes seem at first. Eve Fleming and Lorraine MacAlister are specialists on continence problems in autism and have packed their expertise into this accessible guide. Focusing on the 3 'Ps' - preparation, practicalities and problem-solving - they offer a step-by-step process tailored for children with autism, which includes strategies for managing behavioural issues, approaches to address sensory sensitivities and advice on overcoming specific bowel and bladder difficulties. It also has an invaluable chapter on approaching toilet training with children with PDA. This book will give early years practitioners, special education teachers, paediatric and school nurses, health visitors and other frontline professionals the knowledge and skills to support children with autism spectrum disorder and their families with toilet training.

This edited volume discusses UNESCO's contributions to inclusive education over the past 20 years, the normative and technical leadership roles this organization has been playing together with its peers and competitors in educational development, and the current status of this issue in academic debates, as well as conceptualizations from different cultures. The chapters reflect and critically discuss a range of positions on the relation between inclusive education, education for all, and special needs education and particularly express the role disability plays in these thematic contexts. The book brings to light that although the term inclusive education is commonly associated with people with disabilities, there are contexts - e.g., research strands on school development in the UK - in which inclusive education is considered as an approach in which the focus of special (needs) education is widened in terms of the target group, reaching out to the heterogeneity of learners, thus taking diversity as a starting point for educational theory and practice. This book highlights the differences in narratives of inclusive education in the United States and abroad and is intended to bridge the various approaches to the study of inclusive education and disability, particularly in the US, the UK, and the Nordic countries within Europe. Although academics and students in Disability Studies are the target audience, the book is also of high relevance to policy makers in the growing field of inclusive education, as well as being potentially interesting for practitioners in education and social work.

The Early Years Intervention Toolkit provides a range of ready-made activities to enable early years practitioners and health visitors to address observed difficulties in a child's development prior to starting school. It includes a checklist of observed behaviours which links to a range of effective and engaging activities to support children's development across the three prime foundational areas of learning: Communication and Language; Physical Development; and Personal, Social and Emotional Development. Activities focus on a variety of crucial skills such as speaking and listening, moving and handling, and forming relationships, making use of materials that are readily available in every early years setting. This toolkit offers: A time-saving approach to interventions, with additional guidance on planning, providing, and recording appropriate interventions Advice and activities to share with parents for them to try at home A framework to enable early years practitioners to identify specific difficulties in key areas of development Downloadable resources to support activities and interventions The Early Years Intervention Toolkit is an inclusive programme and all children in the early years will benefit from taking part in the activities. It will be an essential resource for early years practitioners to effectively identify and support learning needs in child development and will boost the confidence of young children as they prepare for Key Stage One.

Understanding Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiance Disorder offers parents, caregivers and practitioners a concise, accessible introduction to the science behind CD and ODD and popular treatments, together with practical advice on how to approach challenging behaviour. It covers a range of important topics including distinguishing between typical and atypical behavioural development, how to choose the best course of treatment for a child, and how parental behaviour can help or hinder progress. Written in straightforward language, each chapter concludes with "important points" summarising key information, designed to help those living or working with children suffering from behavioural disorders to both understand the nature of the disorders and achieve the best outcome for the child. The final chapter presents an in-depth case study of a child with behavioral disorders, thoroughly detailing symptoms, treatment and outcome, providing a demonstration of best practice and affirming that challenging behavior can be effectively managed. Illustrated with clinical vignettes of the experiences of children living with CD and ODD, Understanding Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiance Disorder is essential reading for parents and caregivers, as well as practitioners in clinical and educational psychology, counselling, mental health, nursing, child welfare, public healthcare, and those in education.