You're Going to Love This Kid!: Teaching Children with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom

by Paula Kluth

Book Overview

Thousands of educators have turned to "You're Going to Love This Kid!" for fresh ways to welcome and teach students with autism--and now the book teachers trust is fully revised and more practical... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557666148
• ISBN13: 9781557666147
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Brookes Publishing Company
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.1" x 10.1"

Customer Reviews

A dynamic and absorbing read

A book dedicated to guiding the teaching of students with autism in the inclusive classroom is long overdue. You're Going to Love this Kid!: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom is a landmark work by Paula Kluth, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Leadership at Syracuse University. She has been a special educator and inclusion facilitator and currently consults with school districts across the country. In her book, she provides ready-to-use strategies for including students with autism in both primary and secondary school classrooms. First-person accounts of students' autism give readers insight into the experience of having autism and show educators how to adapt classrooms to support student participation in class work, school routines, social activities and more. This volume is unique in many ways in the world of teacher education. It focuses exclusively on inclusive education as both ideology and pedagogy. Communication, behavior, and learning problems are understood in context and within relationships. Useful strategies for teachers, administrators, therapists, counselors, etc. are included. In addition, the voices of students with autism spectrum disorders are featured in a sensitive and enlightening fashion. As the author notes, "...these students are often a catalyst for change and creativity. Specifically, including students with autism may help teachers think more carefully about the choices offered to students: the design of the lesson; the ways in which students can participate in teaching and learning; and the comfort, engagement, and opportunities for all." (p.31) Kluth shows educators how to adapt their classrooms to support student participation in classwork, as well as school routines and social activities. The author skillfully weaves relevant research with lessons learned from her teaching experience to give readers a comprehensive approach with specific ideas that are both pragmatic and creative for: * understanding the attitudes, values, and actions that support inclusive schooling * connecting, communicating, and collaborating effectively with families * enhancing literacy by adapting reading materials, using visuals, and tapping in to student interests * planning challenging, multidimensional lessons that encourage all students to participate and help students reach their individual goals * supporting student behavior in sensitive, positive ways * fostering friendships and social relationships between students with and without autism * adapting the physical environment for students with autism who may have heightened sensitivity to factors like temperature, sounds, and smells Meeting students "where they are" at every turn makes You're Going to Love this Kid! philosophically compatible with the concepts of "Floortime" and the DIR model. Furthermore, the language and practices of inclusive education go a long way towards responding to the diversity that e

A Chance to Belong

Ms. Kluth's stellar work on including students with autism is a gem no educator should be without. I like the way she breaks down behaviors; describes possible triggers and offers reasonable, practical approaches to responding to socially unacceptable behaviors. This is an extraordinary work that deserves a place of honor among professionals. I like the way she discusses other conditions and ways to provide accessibility. The only thing I admit I didn't like was the word perseverate. That is a highly charged and extremely damaging/judgmental word that many people find offensive. While many professionals and other "neurotypical" people use it as a short hand or descriptor, it is still a very negative, stigmatizing word. One thing that is so readily apparent about autism is that it is chiefly a sensory condition. Autism is a neurobiological condition that affects sensory processing and in some cases sensory integration; in very rare instances "linked" senses or synesthesia, i.e. "seeing music," "tasting words" and "hearing colors." Since autism is so plainly rooted in the senses and expressed in sensory terms, it is patently ridiculous to wonder if people with autism feel things. I like the way Ms. Kluth debunks a lot of misperceptions about autism and recognizes the fact that autism is a spectrum condition that varies among individuals. I give this book an A+!

Manual for Teachers in the Inclusion Environment

Reviewed book given to me by a neighbor and parent of a child with autism. He had heard Ms. Kluth's lecture and purchased many copies to give to teaching professionals.This book could be called a working manual for teachers who must discover how to reach a child with autism. There is more than one map to the process, and Ms. Kluth has cheerfully and whole-heartedly charted them out! In opening chapters, definitions of what it means to have autism, inclusion schooling explanations and required assessments are described, but quotes from people with autism are sprinkled around-giving the disability the human face it needs. My favorite paragraph, pulled from a web site created by folks with Asperger's:Neurotypical syndrome is a neurobiological disorder characterized by preoccupation with social concerns, delusions of superiority, and obsession with conformity. Neurotypical individuals often assume that their experience of the world is either the only one, or the only correct one. NTs find it difficult to be alone. NTs are often intolerant of seemingly minor differences in others. When in groups NTs are socially and behaviorally rigid and frequently insist on the performance of dysfunctional, destructive, and even impossible rituals as a way of maintaining group identity. NTs find it difficult to communicate with persons on the autistic spectrum. NT is believed to be genetic in origin. Autopsies have shown the brain of the Neurotypical is typically smaller than that of an autistic individual and may have overdeveloped areas related to social behavior.Even though I am "neurotypical" I understand this point of view! Ms. Kluth encourages teachers to see. "Not seeing is not a positive response to difference. Recognizing, however, and doing our best to understand how differences affect students' lives and educational experiences, helps us to better know and serve each individual student." She emphasizes a strength-based perspective to not only instruct students, but to preserve their dignity, scrutinize plans that do not help the student's needs, and to connect with families and incorporate them to the student's advantage. In fact, shared responsibility for solution-building can come from home, and families appreciate it. "Brainstorming together is an energizing process," writes one parent. "It can make assessment and planning look more like a celebration and less like a funeral. The focus of the discussion becomes giving families normal life opportunities rather than creating `near normal' children." Ms. Kluth interprets `local understanding' that families have of their child, meaning "a radically deep, intimate knowledge of another human being." Parents can help with behavior and likes/dislikes because of their knowledge. Plans for classrooms that work with students with autism are suggested. Types of the disorder can influence the behavior of each individual; there is no `typical' autistic, and the author illustrates the benefit of taking the effort to

A must have for those who want inclusion!

This was a wonderful book! As a parent of a child with autism, I found so many practical ways to help his classroom teacher adapt her curriculum to meet my son's needs and keep him involved in the class. I recommend this book to parents who have been told by administration, " We don't do inclusion here"! This is proof that you can do it and do it well. I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Kluth speak and her enthusiaam for helping our kids is infectious! If you get the chance, don't miss her for the world! Definitely one of the best workshops I have ever attended! She not only gives you ideas, she has you role play them so you can see them in practical use!

Real help for real teaching

This work is amazing! For the first time I really understood how to deal with the challenges of autism in a general ed classroom. Dr. Kluth's writing style, insights and overall approach is incredibly helpful and engaging. This book is a must for all teachers who are blessed with students with autism.