Abstract

*Shortlisted for the 2011 NASEN Award 'Book to Promote Professional Development'*

Certain classroom behaviours can signify an underlying learning disability. This book will help you recognise potential indicators of Asperger Syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia, AD/HD, physical disabilities and speech and language disorders; explores the benefits of different interventions; and offers practical strategies for improving pupils' behaviours, social skills and self-esteem.

This book contains:

- A simple-to-use screener for initial identification of a pupil's specific learning disability
- A practical and simple structure for monitoring classroom behaviours and creating an Individual Behaviour Plan
- Tried-and-tested teacher strategies for common areas of concern, such as problems staying on task, inability to work on group tasks and failure to seek help when needed
- Key educational theories to help teachers understand and influence classroom behaviours, and further develop classroom management skills for addressing the behaviours of special needs pupils.

This practical, accessible book is an essential tool kit for special educational needs coordinators, learning support staff and teachers in both primary and secondary schools.

A range of strategies found to be successful by teachers is offered to help overcome the difficulties as well as views from the pupils themselves...This simple-to-use screener, provides a practical structure for identification and monitoring of classroom behaviours. It would be supportive in creating effective and targeted individual behaviour plans. Special needs teachers, co-coordinators, learning support staff, would find this a valuable resource.
SNIP, Special Needs Information Press
The book should form part of the reading of every teacher and teaching assistant as well as be available to any psychologist involved with the detection, remediation or behavioural interventions amongst those with specific learning difficulties.
Debate
Steve Chinn is known as a writer of books on mathematics for dyslexic and dyscalculic pupils, and as an educator who founded and for many years ran a school for dyslexic goys. He brings years of experience and knowledge to this book which is a diagnostic manual of learning disorders that may be indicated by classroom behaviours. The book is a balanced, well-written user-friendly combination of diagnosis, strategies and theory.
Bulletin
Dr Steve Chinn is an independent researcher, writer and lecturer based in Gloucestershire, UK. Steve founded Mark College - a school for dyslexic pupils. The College held Beacon School status was the first school to receive the Independent Schools Association's Award for Excellence. Steve has written several books and articles on learning difficulties and a diagnostic test of thinking styles.
What a helpful book!... A photocopiable screening test is included which is valuable as an aid to early identification...This highly accessible book provides a practical introduction to the complex needs of a substantial cohort of students for teachers and teaching assistants alike.
School Librarian
He brings years of experience and knowledge to this book... The book is a balanced, well-written user-friendly combination of diagnosis, strategies and theory... Student teachers and teachers new to the profession would find it extremely helpful because it summarises its information so well. It could be used for both primary and secondary learners and classrooms... This is the voice of an experienced educator who appreciates individual differences in children, but who also understands the pressures on teachers to manage behaviour and learning in a sometimes over-populated, but always inclusive, classroom... the advice and strategies are positive about accepting the origins of the behaviour and aim to give the learners aspirational support which acknowledges and uses their different ways of learning... excellent and likeable manual.
Patoss Bulletin