Supporting Adolescents With Autism In Secondary Schools

In a convenient large-size format, this book presents the first research-based, comprehensive program designed to support high school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Developed and tested in public schools by the Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (CSESA), the program addresses four critical areas--literacy, social competence and peer relationships, independence, and postschool transition preparation for students and their families. Chapters provide a roadmap for implementation of each component, complete with intervention guidelines, case vignettes, key findings, lessons learned, and reproducible forms that can be downloaded and printed at the companion website. The book also helps readers navigate the wealth of additional resources freely available from CSESA.

"The book discusses the Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism (CSESA), which is designed to support all students with autism in high school, and the breadth of the learning needs for those autistic students is broad. For many of these students, four domains of emphasis are important: Transition and Families, Academics, Peer and Social Competence, and Personal Independence and Behavior. The CSESA program consists of specific component interventions and practices that address each of these domains, which are highlighted in the book chapters"--

The transition to secondary school can be a daunting time for parents of autistic youngsters, as well as children themselves. Have you selected the right place? What if staff don't really understand your child's needs? Will they adapt sufficiently - and if not, then what happens? The good news is that you have the ability as a parent or carer to address these concerns, rather than leaving it all to chance. This book will give you the tools to do just that. From choosing the right school for your child (and spotting the tell-tale signs of the wrong one), to preparing both your child and the new school for the transition, to overcoming barriers and building a positive, collaborative and effective relationship between home and school. Tackling key topics from the point of view of both parent and teacher and using examples of great practice, this contains everything you need to know in order to build a more positive secondary school experience for your child.

The PEERS® Curriculum for School-Based Professionals brings UCLA's highly acclaimed and widely popular PEERS program into the school setting. This sixteen-week program, clinically proven to significantly improve social skills and social interactions among teens with autism spectrum disorder, is now customized for the needs of psychologists, counselors, speech pathologists, administrators, and teachers. The manual is broken down into clearly divided lesson plans, each of which have concrete rules and steps, corresponding homework assignments, plans for review, and unique, fun activities to ensure that teens are comfortable incorporating what they've learned. The curriculum also includes parent handouts, tips for preparing for each lesson, strategies for overcoming potential pitfalls, and the research underlying this transformative program.

Students on the autism spectrum often face difficulties in the secondary education environment that result from a lack of awareness on the part of their teachers and peers. This guide acquaints teachers with all the information and practical tools needed to understand and support their students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The book presents specific, ready-to-use classroom initiatives with example worksheets, checklists and timetables to help students keep organised with their school work. It also covers general obstacles such as social situations, anxiety, mental health issues and extracurricular activities and how adults can help. Guidance about the leaving school stage and how to ensure the teen is equipped to make the best possible decisions about their future is included. Packed with useful information and examples, this book will be a lifesaving resource for teachers, and everyone else working in secondary education, who want to help their students with autism to stay focused and positive at school.

An effective evidence-based programme, this practical handbook provides everything schools need to make the transition from primary to secondary school as smooth and successful as possible for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The first part of the book explains how to create individualised transition plans for each child, and describes how school staff can collaborate successfully with parents and carers. Part two contains a wealth of practical, photocopiable resources for use directly with pupils on the autism spectrum that help to address their most frequent support needs, including sensory sensitivities, anxiety issues and difficulties with planning and organisation. The resources can be used in a pick and choose way based on the individual needs of the child. Developed and trialled extensively by the Social Communication Disorders Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital, this handbook will be an invaluable resource for SENCOs, teachers, autism support workers, educational psychologists and other professionals working with pupils with ASD.

Teaching Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder supports teachers in preparing secondary students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to succeed in school, work and beyond. Focused on enabling students to successfully pursue further education and meaningful career paths, chapters incorporate person-centered, student-directed planning into instructional programming throughout the text. Featuring helpful vignettes to demonstrate concepts in action, curriculum areas address community living skills, academics, social communication and interaction, and career preparation. Grounded in current research and Universal Design for Learning practices, this guide is an essential resource for educators, therapists, and anyone seeking to create fluid, adaptable programs for students with autism spectrum disorders.

Inclusive education has grown as an international movement to not only support students with disabilities but also promote equitable access, participation, and success for all students. This book will transform the capacity of teachers and specialists working with students and families to effectively support an inclusive approach to education for students on the autism spectrum. This book addresses the urgent need to identify inclusive educational environments and strategies for students on the autism spectrum so that they have the best chance of social, behavioural, and academic success at school. Teachers who include students on the autism spectrum in primary and secondary classrooms require greater knowledge of how they can best support the learning, social, and behavioural needs of their students. Without such knowledge, the consequences can include unsatisfactory learning experiences for all students, and interrupted schooling for the student on the autism spectrum through reduced attendance and retention, lower academic performance, exclusion, disengagement, and pressure on parents to make alternative arrangements for their child’s education. Inclusive education is socially, emotionally, and academically beneficial for all students and positively impacts on respectful attitudes to difference. This book presents innovative, evidence-based practices that will build the capacity of teachers and specialists implementing an inclusive and contextually relevant approach to education that will support students on the autism spectrum and meet the diverse needs of all students in their classrooms.