Great Resources for Teachers

For Students with Significant Disabilities

Alternate Assessment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities – This is book gives great ideas on how to create a meaningful curriculum and how to assess students with major challenges. There are sample IPP’s, instructional units, lesson plans, and all areas of curriculum are explored (life skills, social skills, core subjects, art etc.)

Tasks Galore – Written by 3 teachers from the TEACCH program, this book is loaded with visuals and covers some areas of curriculum such as literacy and math. All of the suggested materials are easy to make and inexpensive. The tasks move sequentially and could be used for students with significant disabilities or children in early childhood settings.

Core Curriculum

For teaching reading, I like Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome and Literacy Skill Development for Students with Special Learning Needs. Both do not use a phonemic approach, although it is covered in later chapters in both books. These texts encourage teaching what is meaningful and practical for the child.

For math, try Teaching Math to People with Down Syndrome and Other Visual Learners. The book provides strategies and activities that are relevant to daily living, are concrete and practical, offer hands-on practice, and provide opportunity for successful completion. The lesson plans are well laid out with material supports to make the learning process more hands-on for the student.

Another one for math is Practical Mathematics for Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Delays. This book provides practical strategies and tools for teaching key mathematics concepts to children with an autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays. The authors emphasize the importance of incorporating a child’s special interest into learning in order to help them engage fully with new concepts. Topics covered include colours, shapes, categories, numerals, sequencing, addition and subtraction and using money, and the book includes worksheets and activities for incorporating mathematics into daily living skills.

New to Autism Spectrum Disorders

If you are new to teaching students with autism, here are some reading suggestions that will give you a general overview of ASD and helpful strategies:

Asperger Syndrome – What Teachers Need to Know

The Autism Checklist: A Practical Reference for Parents and Teachers

The Complete Guide to Special Education: Expert Advice on Evaluations, IEPs, and Helping Kids Succeed, 2nd Edition

The Paraprofessional’s Handbook for Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms – for Educational Assistants

Simple Strategies That Work! Helpful Hints for All Educators of Students with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism, and Related Disabilities

Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew

Successful Inclusion

Count Me In

It’s More Than “Just Being In” – Creating Authentic Inclusion for Students with Complex Support Needs

Picture Inclusion! Snapshots of Successful Diverse Classrooms

You’re Going to Love This Kid – 2nd. Edition

An Excellent Author for Teachers

Author Darlene Mannix has created some terrific resources for teachers complete with lesson plans. She has two social skills books, one for elementary and one for secondary, a writing skills book, and two for life skills – elementary and secondary. Ms. Mannix lists objectives for each lesson plan, introductory activities, the activity itself complete with the worksheet, extension activities and how to evaluate the lesson.

Teachers or educational assistants, if you ever have any specific questions about your students or need help choosing resources, ask to speak with Maureen Bennie. I’d be happy to help wherever I can.