Abstract

This comprehensive guide is bursting with achievable teaching strategies for those involved with ASD students in the school environment. Due to understaffed classes or poor staff training, many students with ASDs are taught in mainstream lessons where they do not receive the help they require and are entitled to. Hewitt shows that providing specialist support in schools enables students with ASDs and associated behavioural difficulties to become more included in pre-school, primary and secondary mainstream classes.

Hewitt promotes tried and tested initiatives to evaluate staff expectations, convey meaning in the classroom through alternative methods of communication,
re-think the physical environment of pupils and celebrate achievement with rewards. With an abundance of cost- and time-effective management guidelines for teachers and support staff of affected pupils, this book facilitates a more inclusive school setting and stresses the importance of a consistent working approach both at school and home. School/home liaison prepares students for a gradual reduction of staff intervention by encouraging greater student independence. Teachers and parents alike will find this an invaluable resource for integrating ASD students among their peers while providing them with the necessary support.

This practical guide identifies the meaning of different behaviours exhibited by students with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), and suggests strategies for helping them achieve independence in mainstream schools. The author examines difficulties pupils with ASD have in particular subjects, and discusses the importance of familiarization, physical positioning, visual timetables, work materials, and friendship skills.
Book News
Throughout, the reader is able to gain greater insight into the needs of pupils with ASD and to consider ideas for meeting them as the author weaves together details of the challenges they face with descriptions of supportive and achievable strategies. The style is straightforward and easily accessible.
British Journal of Special Education
This book is an excellent read. It is aimed at teachers and learning support assistants working with pre-school children up to secondary school pupils. It offers sensible advice and strategies to try, maintaining a realistic approach. The format of the book is 'reader friendly' and well structured, which makes it easy to 'dip into'. I particularly liked the suggestions to try and the possible problems. I really enjoyed reading this book and it is one that I will refer to regularly. The author is very aware of how adapting an instruction or expressing language in a different way can result in positive responses and successful learning for the pupil.
The Maap
Sally Hewitt is a specialist support assistant of pupils with ASDs, as well as a full-time writer. Her book Including Pupils with Autism at Break and Lunchtimes was published in 2003.
This practical guide identifies the meaning of different behaviors exhibited by students with autistic spectrum disorder (Asd), and suggests strategies for helping them achieve independence in mainstream schools. The author examines difficulties pupils with ASD have in particular subjects, and discusses the importance of familiarization, physical positioning, visual timetables, work materials, and friendship skills.
Reference & Research Book News
Anyone working in mainstream settings with children and young people who have autistic spectrum disorders will find this guide accessible and comprehensive. It offers practical advice on the everyday difficulties that many children face, and gives further advice for older students in secondary settings (an area which in the past has been neglected). It also offers reassurance to parents who are only to well aware of how vunerable their children are if reasonable adjustments are not made in mainstream schools. This book emphasises the importance of good home/school liaison to ensure that young people who have to deal constantly with high levels of anxiety can move towards independence.
TES Extra