Contributors to this volume bring decades of classroom experience to bear on questions such as: How do we design assignments that encourage students with ASD to play to their strengths as they work to improve their writing?; how can administrators support students with ASD in writing classes?; and how should composition instructors interpret reports of research on ASD and writing? The overarching theme of the essays is that ASD extends an invitation to college composition instructors to craft a learning environment that better serves all students.
Children with autism spectrum disorders are increasingly being educated in inclusive general education classrooms. For optimal results, teachers need to know as much as possible about autism and the teaching methods and modifications that work best for these students. This is a huge undertaking for time-crunched general education teachers, many of whom may never have had a student with autism before. Now teachers can turn to "Autism in Your Classroom" for the information and guidance they need. Written by two neuropsychologists with extensive clinical and classroom experience, this new book is a concise, easy-to-read guide developed for primary school teachers. Part I provides a complete overview of the types, causes, characteristics, and treatments of autism spectrum disorders. It also explains various secondary characteristics of autism that create challenges for students, such as sensory abnormalities, behavioural issues, and limited social skills and peer interaction. Part II focuses on the student in the classroom: It covers a variety of strategies to manage learning and behaviour, such as: Modifying classwork and homework; Helping with language difficulties; Using visual strategies; Keeping students focused and organised; Teaching reading and math; Using positive reinforcement and rewards; Handling challenging behaviour; Explaining autism to other students; Teaching social skills in the classroom; Balancing the needs of typical and special students. Part III features two useful case studies. Both stem from the authors' hands-on work and consultation with teachers, students, and parents. The book concludes with an appendix of frequently asked questions about children with autism asked by educators.
When it comes to academic work, students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have the required knowledge but struggle to get their thoughts down in writing. This is a practical guide to teaching and improving writing skills in students with ASD to meet academic writing standards and prepare for the increased expectations of higher education. The book covers key considerations for all educators teaching writing skills to high school and college students with ASD including how to address difficulties with comprehension, executive functioning, and motor skills, how to structure ideas into a coherent argument, and how to develop creativity and expression in writing, as well as how to successfully adapt these skills to meet university expectations. Each chapter includes teaching tips, insightful student perspectives, and ready-to-use writing exercises.
Colleges and universities are seeing increasing numbers of students with a range of disabilities enrolling in postsecondary education. Many of these disabilities are invisible and, despite their potential for negative impact on students’ academic and social adjustment, some students will choose not to identify as having a disability or request support. Approaching disability from the perspective of difference, the authors of this new volume offer guidance on creating more inclusive learning environments on campus so that all students—whether or not they have a recognized disability—have the opportunity to succeed. Strategies for supporting students with specific learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder or who display learning and behavioral characteristics associated with these profiles are described. A valuable resource for instructors, advisors, academic support personnel, and others who work directly with college students.
With even the best curricula and interventions, students with autism spectrum disorders will not learn unless the classroom environment is organized with their specific needs in mind. Setting Up Classroom Spaces That Support Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders shows through clear and brief text and lots of photos how to determine what type of furniture and materials to choose for various types of classrooms and how to arrange them in a way that creates an effective learning environment while reducing anxiety and preventing problem behaviors. It uses evidence-based practices of structure and visual supports to enhance the well-being and success of students. Examples are given for students across the age span with lots of lists and helpful resources, making it a must-have resource for every classroom. Foreword by Juane Heflin, PhD.
With 1 in 59 children being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), odds are that students on the spectrum will be in many classrooms across every subject area.Seeing the Spectrum argues that secondary English teachers are uniquely equipped to prepare students with autism for future success, both in school and in life. Writing for preservice and current English language arts teachers, Robert Rozema offers practical, evidenced-based strategies for teaching literature, informational texts, writing, and communication to students on the spectrum. These strategies are appropriate for inclusive classrooms with both neurotypical students and students with autism. The final chapter includes a complete unit plan on Of Mice and Men, illustrating how curriculum focused on commonly taught literary works can be reimagined to accommodate the needs and draw on the strengths of students on the spectrum. “I appreciate this book. I appreciate the gift Robert Rozema has given me. My thinking and teaching will now be more diverse, more consciously competent, more compassionate, and therefore more vital.” —From the Foreword by Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, distinguished professor of English Education, Boise State University, and author of “You Gotta BE the Book” “Seeing the Spectrum examines real young people and daily classroom interactions to help teachers better understand the mental and emotional processing of their autistic spectrum students and devise assignments to scaffold their success. Rozema knows what matters in English: reading literature, developing empathy, understanding complex ideas and interpersonal relationships, writing to express complicated ideas. The diverse tools, strategies, and ideas he describes foster inclusiveness, compassion, and success for all students.” —Allen Webb, professor of English, Western Michigan University
With 1 in 59 children being diagnosd with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), odds are that students on the spectrum will be in many classrooms across every subject area. Seeing the Spectrum argues that seconary English teachers are uniquely equipped to prepare students with autism for future success, both in school and in life. Writing for preservice and current English language arts teachers, Robert Rozema offers practical evidence-based strategies for teaching literature, informational texts, writing classrooms with both neurotypical students and students with autism. The first chapter includes a complete unit plan on Of Mice and Men, illustrating how curriculum focused on commonly taught literary works can be reimagined to accommodate the needs and draw on the strengths of students on the spectrum. Book Features: in-depth treatment of historical and contemporary research on autism, including original case studies of adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder; and specific, ready-to-use strategies for teaching literature, informational texts, writing, and communication in the inclusive English language arts classroom;
Educational Interventions for Students with Autism offers educators a vital resource for understanding and working with autistic students. Written by nationally acclaimed experts in the field and published in collaboration with the world-renowned UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, the book aims to deepen educators' appreciation of the challenges surrounding autism in a classroom setting and the current best practices in education for autism. To best meet the practical needs of teachers, school administrators, and parents, the book includes integrative summaries throughout, with recommendations for real-world classroom use. Topics covered include: how autism affects student learning, autism and its impact on schools, a teacher's view of autism and the classroom, best practices and challenges of working with students with ASD in the classroom,working with high-functioning autism (HFA) in schools, successful community-school partnerships, options for teacher training, and more.
Educating College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders is one of the first books to specifically address the accommodation of students with significant learning differences in postsecondary education. Developed with the support of Autism Speaks, and piloted at Pace University, each component of this book is scientifically-based and provides a model of emerging best practices for college instruction involving students with ASD. The text is designed to give college faculty a deep understanding of students with ASD and help faculty to productively engage students with ASD, while also meeting the needs of all students in their classes. The strategies included in the manual are solidly grounded in principles of universal design and will prove indispensible for teaching college students of varying ability levels and diverse learning styles. A companion video shows clips of students and educators that are engaged in inclusive practices to illustrate approaches that have been successful in dealing with challenging situations in the classroom.
