This second edition of this award-winning book provides instructional resources and strategies for both teachers and parents of elementary students with autism. Appropriate social and communicative behavior is a fundamental concern for parents, caregivers, and teachers of school children.Children should be able to move in a safe and socially successful manner through their school years despite changing family culture, their activity level or degree of insight into the consequences of their behavior. One would also hope that they develop a positive character and good values about human rights and social responsibility along the way. The most important long-term goal, however, is that they grow into content, kind, and successful fellow human beings. This book illustrates more than 120 goals for developing positive personality features, adequate social behavior and communicative competence. Ideas for long- and short-term goals have been selected from existing school programs, general education of values, as well as from parents and teachers.

Successful inclusion in high school is critical for achieving independence as an adult! Even though inclusive education is now the standard for educating students with special needs, inclusion is a still a very new process. Successful inclusion relies on flexibility of parents and educators, and their ability to work together for the sake of the student. Training, collaboration, specialized teaching, long-term planning, and a clear idea of the desired outcome for the student - these are just as important at the high school level as they were in elementary and middle school. This comprehensive guide will help you give your child or student the best possible high school experience. You will learn how to help students navigate the social minefields of friendships and dating, while fostering the executive functioning skills they will need as adults. Expert Sheila Wagner provides the strategies and solutions you'll need before, during, and after high school. The topics include: transitioning from middle school, IEP goals and objectives, accommodations/modifications, course selection, developing friendships, prom night and dating, bullying, graduation requirements, zero-tolerance and discipline standards, driving permits, preparing for college, employment options, transitioning to the adult world, planning for inclusion into the community, and many more!

Middle school presents unique challenges to those with autism / Asperger's, but it can also be exciting and rewarding. Inclusive Programming addresses transitioning to and from middle school, and everything in between: hormones, cliques, bullying, aggression, and "fitting in." The ingredients for success are pre-planning, frequent monitoring of progress, teacher training, and regular communication between all concerned. Add committed teachers, peer mentors/tutors, sensible allowances for individual students' needs (extra test time, visual/oral format, concrete language, less or different homework, a sensory-safe environment, social skills training) as called for, and you have a recipe for success. You'll find many helpful charts/resources in the Appendices. Helpful chapters include: Autism in a NutshellInclusion DiscussionProfiles and Characteristics of Middle School StudentsFormation of an Individual Education Plan (IEP)Behavior Programming in Middle SchoolAcademic Issues of Middle School StudentsSocial ProgrammingCollaborative Roles