Behavior Solutions for the Inclusive Classroom: See a behavior? Look it up! ~ A Review

Adults working with children will often have a child or children diagnosed with Learning Disability, Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, ADHD…among the group. This book is a must-have guide for these adults to find how to most effectively help these Special Needs children to be happy and productive in these inclusive settings.

Small but mighty is what this handy, easy to use resource brings to mind. In a few hours a classroom teacher, homeschooling parents, special needs caregiver/aide, day care workers, early intervention teacher, babysitting grandparents …can go from cover to cover. When I arrived at the last page of Section Four, I was disappointed I had reached the end just like how you feel after a great movie or exciting hockey game seems to end too soon.

 The authors have used language that all can understand. It is not technical, not filled with acronyms, not professional jargon but great on-the-spot, diplomatic solutions to make better the life of a child, his classmates, his parents and his teachers.

After having been read once so you know the many behaviors and solutions included, this book belongs close at hand to be consulted numerous times. The authors found a very simple and effective format which they use throughout the book. The behavior and possible causes of the behavior are explained clearly in less than 12 lines on one page and the next page or two have bullet form solutions. These solutions are practical, tactful and immediately doable without expensive, extra teaching tools. The solutions can be implemented by a busy person with other children under their care.

The detailed Table of Contents and efficient 11 pages of Index makes it a breeze to find solutions to your problem. For example, you have a child who is constantly chewing his clothes making them soggy and full of holes…What to do? Look in the Index. Find Chewing with its two subheadings:

Behaviors, 13 “One coping mechanism for self-regulation used by students is to chew on their shirts, causing holes…Oral input is organizing and calming (as when an infant sucks on a pacifier, or an adult chews gum). It is important to provide them access to that in a way that is socially acceptable and age-appropriate.”
Solutions, 14-15 Three solutions are given one of which is: “For younger students (Kindergarten and below), it is possible to use a length of aquarium hose or Chewy-Tubes for the student to chew on. Students this age are less socially aware, and there is less of a stigma on the child who uses such a devise.”

To bring this chewing topic to a close, the authors have added as they do in other parts of the book also, suggestions or guide lines to help the reader make the right decisions. This one reads: “…As educators, we must not let established policy be a substitute for wise and successful decision-making.” Then they touch on the ‘NO-FOOD’ policy in many schools that should be adjusted for the benefit of the student with a disability.

The following are the headings for the four sections and some of the subheadings :
Section One: Movement Issues
*Arm- & Hand-flapping
*Arm-swinging
*Breaking Pencils and/or Crayons
Section Two: Avoidance and Retreat Behaviors
*Avoiding Physical Contact or Messy Activities
*Covering Ears
*Hiding or Running Away When Upset
Section Three: Difficulty with Routine and Academics
*Difficulty with Carpet Time
*Difficulty with Lining Up
*Difficulty Starting Assignments

Section Four: Social-Emotional Issues

*Saying Rude or Inappropriate Things

*Clothing Issues

*Difficulty Accepting Criticism

This well planned reference will be one that you will be recommending to parents and co-workers. Hope it is also on the shelves of your school’s resource reading corner.

Meet the authors:
Beth Aune is a licensed, registered Occupational Therapist who currently has a private practice as a pediatric occupational therapist in the Coachella Valley area.

Beth Burt became an advocate because of her experience with her own children, one with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the other with a learning disability. She has over thirteen years of experience collaborating and advocating on the behalf of students with ASD and other disorders.

Peter Gennaro is currently the Director of Special Education for the Alvord Unified School District in Southern California. He served as Special Education Coordinator and as Program/Inclusion Specialist prior this.

Author(s): Beth Aune, Beth Burt, Peter Gennaro
Binding: Paperback
Education: A Handy Reference Guide that Explains Behaviors and the Solutions Associated with Autism, Asperger's, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and other Special Needs
Pages: 151
Price: $14.95
Publisher sold here: Future Horizons Inc.

What has been a good strategy used to make a Special Needs person you know feel happy and be productive  in inclusive settings?

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