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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*Danceland CD : Fun Songs and Activities to Improve Sensory Skills ~ Review
*28 Instant Songames ~ Review

Picky, Picky Pete by Michele Griffin ~ A Review

Great book to read to your own family
and to be read to a whole class.

Picky, Picky Pete ~ A Boy and His Sensory Challenges ~ 2010 Book of the Year Award by Creative Child Magazine ~
The 48 page paperback is beautifully illustrated and written by Michele Griffin an occupational therapist. It is another great picture book for all families coping with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and for all who want to learn more about SPD.

The reader will quickly grow aware of the difficulties Pete and his mom must face each morning just to get ‘extra-sensitive’ Pete ready for school. The class in the photo, taken at Pasadena Elementary School in April 2010, surely understood the challenges faced by their friends with SPD much better after their guest author shared Pete's story with them.

The expressions on her characters’ faces and their conversations allow us to feel the frustrations, pain and love that flows between mother and child. After their trying morning and when Pete is finally in the school bus he says to his mom:

“I love you, Mom…morning , day, and night.

I am sorry when I start to fight.”

Many parents will relate to the mom as a tear rolls down her cheek as she waves to Pete… one more morning over…how many more like this?

Pasadena Elementary School in April 2010

Written in easy to read language for beginner readers, the words flow along with many rhyming couplets:

“Put on my socks! Put on my shoes!

Grass and sand give me the blues!

But make sure that they are on just right,

Seams in place and not too tight.”

To facilitate comprehension and read-alouds, Pete’s word’s are written in RED, his mother’s in PURPLE, and the narration in BLUE.

Teachers and parents will want to have this wonderful book to share with their children. The last pages have convenient resource lists of web sites, similar books dealing with Sensory Processing Disorder and catalogue companies that provide products for kids with Special Needs.

Michele Griffen is both
author and illustrator  

About the author:

Michele Griffin was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences and her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy.

From her site, Michelle tells us her own three children, along with her prior treatment experience as an occupational therapist, often inspire her to create new books, activities, or projects for children. Knowing her books will be used to help children and parents cope during challenging times is often what fuels her writing. She’s also particularly interested in creating fun things that enhance sensory and fine motor development in children.

I am sure, like Michele says, these books will help foster communication, tolerance and understanding between parents and children with sensory processing disorder.

Do you know of other resources for parents looking for SPD information?

Read post on 2010 Book of the Year Award  here
Picky, Picky Pete by Michele Griffin, OT 
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 48
Price: $14.95
Purchase: http://www.sensoryworld.com/childrensbooks.html