More students on the autism spectrum are taught in general education settings today than ever before, bringing an array of notable strengths and skills that add intriguing new dimensions to educational programs. But these students also present challenges that are broader, deeper, and more intractable than those of their typically developing peers. Because reaching and teaching students on the autism spectrum in an inclusive environment complicates the work of teachers, school and district administrators must be prepared to provide knowledgeable, mindful leadership.With warmth and wisdom informed by her experience as a school administrator, autism educator, clinician, and parent of a son on the spectrum, Barbara Boroson provides a holistic look at the challenges students on the spectrum face in the areas of anxiety, executive function, sensation, communication, socialization, engagement, and cognitive acquisition. You'll learn to decode the functional and behavioral manifestations of these challenges, and you'll gain practical and research-based preemptive, supportive, and responsive strategies. You will also find- Insight into the perspectives of parents and guardians, along with guidance on partnering with them in ways that acknowledge both their expertise and yours.– Tips for modeling transparency and creative differentiation in order to set an inclusive tone throughout your school or district.– Supplemental materials to help you engage and educate families and the entire school community about autism, inclusion, and best-practice policies. Decoding Autism and Leading the Way to Successful Inclusion empowers school and district leaders to ensure that students on the spectrum are welcome, supported, understood, and set up for success. It's an essential resource for any education leader committed to achieving a differentiated, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for all students in their care.
Using creative and performative methods is central to engaging children in fun and inspiring learning. This hands-on guide provides activities, quick tips and advice for developing performance and creative skills to support delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Each chapter focuses on a particular method, including storytelling, role play, puppetry, sensory play, music and dance, and gives practitioners the confidence to develop and use these skills in their teaching. The book reveals how each method can be used to support key developmental aspects, such as language and communication, physical development and movement, listening and attention, and managing feelings.
Terror acts have taken place in several countries recently, and the media attention they generate means that children are more exposed to hearing about terrorism than ever before. Using simple language suited to children aged 7+, this book is designed for an adult to read along with a child to help ease their misunderstanding and fear. The authors, who are child psychologists, tackle a broad range of important but difficult questions with consideration, including: Why do some people and groups use terrorism? What are adults doing to prevent societies being hurt by terrorism? And what can we do when we feel worried and afraid? An honest and helpful guide to talking about terrorism with children aged 7+, this reassuring book helps adults address children's questions and concerns, in a society where children are unfortunately increasingly aware to it.
Help children to master emotional self-regulation and improve wellbeing with these activities. Based on traditional yoga breath and mindfulness exercises, each activity is adaptable for a range of abilities and they are also ideal for working with children with autism and other special needs. The book explains how being conscious of the breath is the key to unlocking calm during busy moments, and shows how this can be taught in a child-friendly way. Including activities such as lion breathing, bubble breathing, and sensory yoga games, children will love to learn self-regulatory techniques they can carry with them for life. Suitable for one-on-one and group work with children aged 4+.
This expert guide to working with transgender and gender variant youth offers ways to make positive change to service provision for practitioners working with this group. Based on the latest research, the recommendations made by the author are backed up by statistics and data, and refer to first-hand stories and experiences. Exploring four key areas – mental health, physical health, sexual health and social health – the book sets out exactly what professionals need to know in relation to these areas and how to support trans youth in these circumstances. Providing clarity on a range of topics, this is the perfect overview for practitioners, as well as a useful text for students and researchers.
This innovative manual sets out advice on fundamental movement skill acquisition (FMS) and its benefits for improving physical, verbal and social skills for people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Improving FMS can help prevent long term health issues, and increase opportunities for social engagement and independence. The book explores the basic skills of movement (running, catching, throwing, and balance) and how to observe, teach and assess FMS in children and adults with ASD. There are sections on how to develop and implement a programme for individuals to guide their personal development, and information on planning and tools for assessment are included. A much needed guide on how to combat impairment of FMS, the book also highlights the numerous benefits of such an approach in relation to behaviour, lifestyle, health and education.
In this friendly guide, a girl called Amy tells all about her Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). Together with her friend Tom and sister Lucy, Amy explains how every child with APD is affected in unique ways, and how to get help if you have APD. This illustrated guide is ideal for helping children aged 7+ with APD to understand the condition, while increasing their self-esteem and confidence. Explaining about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and comorbidity in child-friendly terms, it dispels myths and encourages children to self-advocate and seek help at home and at school. It is also an excellent starting point for parents, teachers and other professionals wishing to tailor support to the type and severity of a child's APD, and includes a helpful list of recommended sources for additional support.
This accessible and much-needed resource sets out advice on how to develop character and encourage wellbeing in pupils aged 5-11. Schools are increasingly aware of how beneficial positive character skills can be, but resources on how to develop them are scarce. This book gives teachers the means to promote gratitude, positive emotions, character strengths, and positive relationships through 100+ easy-to-implement activities such as student diaries, classroom displays and letter writing campaigns. It also includes tools and strategies that go beyond the classroom, helping to embed character education into the culture and ethos of the entire school. Each chapter will include a short introduction to the relevant theoretical background, and all activities are based on validated character education and positive psychology interventions. Bite-sized and practical, and full of ideas that can be dipped in and out of in the classroom, this is an ideal book for busy teachers.
Meet Sam. Like most kids his age, Sam loves sport. His class have arranged a special football match to raise money for a charity which helps children who are suffering. Sam finds out more about how the money is spent and asks his mum for this week's pocket money early, so he can donate to the charity. His mum says he does this because he's such a kind boy. But when he asks his teachers about it at school the next day, they say it's because he's compassionate. Sam now has lots of questions about what this means. What is compassion? How can we become more compassionate? And what effects – both good and bad – does being compassionate have? Join Sam as he learns answers to these, and many more, questions about this important part of character education.
Meet Maya. Maya always tries to be polite, and to remember to say 'thank you' but she wants to learn what it means to be truly grateful. Should she be grateful to her teachers for their hard work, even though they're only doing their job? Does she need to say thank you for the gifts she doesn't really like – like the pink scarf Nani gave her last birthday? And when Laura gives her some earrings but later asks to copy her history project in return, should Maya be grateful and give her the thank you letter she has written? This illustrated book is an ideal conversation starter for children aged 7+, helping them to understand what gratitude means, recognise when it is appropriate, and develop their own ability to be genuinely grateful.