The Paraprofessional's Handbook for Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms

by Julie Causton-Theoharis Ph.D., Paula Kluth Ph.D. (Foreword by)

Overview

What does a great paraprofessional need to know and do? Find out in this handy survival guide, equally useful for the brand-new paraprofessional or the 20-year classroom veteran. Packed with friendly guidance, practical tips, and relatable first-person stories, this book reveals the best ways to provide effective, respectful services to students in inclusive classrooms.

Julie Causton-Theoharis, a teacher, professor, and educational consultant with more than 10 years of experience as a paraprofessional instructor, knows exactly how to help readers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can start making a difference. She answers all the urgent questions paraprofessionals have as they navigate their complex job in the inclusive classroom, showing readers how to:

• provide skillful and subtle support to students while encouraging their independence
• resolve challenging behavior in gentle and positive ways
• find students' strengths and match support practices to them
• fade their support
• make informed decisions about content-specific accommodations, modifications, and adaptations
• presume competence and keep expectations high
• facilitate peer supports and friendships
• partner with teachers, SLPs, psychologists, families, and other members of the educational team
• relieve their own stress and avoid burnout

To help them master the daily ups and downs of the inclusive classroom, paraprofessionals will get ready-to-use practical content: tips for supporting students with specific disabilities, helpful question-and-answer sections, examples of successful problem-solving, a quick-guide to acronyms in education, easy ideas for improving teamwork, and more.

The essential guide for every paraprofessional—and a must-have for the educators and other professionals who support them—this empowering book takes the guesswork out of a critical classroom role and helps students with disabilities reach their full potential.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781598576740
Publisher:	Brookes Publishing
Publication date:	08/04/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Julie Causton, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Inclusive Special Education Program at Syracuse University. She teaches courses on inclusion, differentiation, Adaptations, and collaboration. Her published works have appeared in such journals as Exceptional Children, TEACHING Exceptional Children, Journal of Research in Childhood Education, International Journal of Inclusive Education, Behavioral Disorders, Studies in Art Education, and Equity and Excellence in Education. Dr. Causton also works as an educational consultant in schools and districts nationwide. To keep up-to-date with her, you can listen to her podcast, The Inclusive Podcast.

Paula Kluth, Ph.D., (she/her) is a consultant, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. She is a former K–12 special educator who has served as a classroom teacher, co-teacher, and inclusion facilitator. Paula has also been a university professor and taught courses on both inclusion and disability studies. Most recently, Paula’s work has centered on helping teachers and administrators educate all students in their schools and classrooms. She also frequently works with families and advocacy groups to support goals related to inclusion. In addition to inclusive education and autism, her professional interests include universal design for learning, co-teaching, and educating students with complex support needs.

Paula is the author or coauthor of 15 other titles including Universal Design Daily, 30 Days to the Co-Taught Classroom (with Dr. Julie Causton), Don’t We Already Do Inclusion?: 100 Ideas for Improving Inclusive Schools, and Just Give Him the Whale: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism (with Dr. Patrick Schwarz). She is also the author of a few books for children, including Coaster, a story of a puppy with wonderful wheels.

You can find out more about Paula’s work by visiting her web site, www.inclusionrules.com, or by connecting with her on social media (@paulakluth).

Check out our spotlight on Paula Kluth! Discover downloadable tip sheets and watch a video Q&A.

Table of Contents

About the Author
Foreword
Paula Kluth
Preface
Acknowledgments

1. The Paraprofessional
2. Special Education
3. Inclusive Education
4. Collaborating with Others: Working within a Team
5. Rethinking Students: Presuming Competence
6. Providing Social Supports: Standing Back
7. Providing Academic Support
   Appendix: Useful Web Sites and Resources for Assistive Technology
8. Providing Behavioral Supports
9. Supporting You Supporting Them: Self-Care
   Appendix: Useful Web Sites and Resources for Assistive Technology

References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"This is a book that can give you a little inspirational push into advocacy."

about.com: Special Needs Children

"The focus of this text on the inclusive classrooms moves the field forward by articulating the advanced techniques needed by today's paraprofessionals."

The Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

"A must-read for all paraprofessionals and the supervisory staff with whom they work. It is a comprehensive yet accessible resource that honors and guides the work of paraprofessionals in today's diverse classrooms."

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Curriculum & Instruction - Alice Udvari-Solner

"Excellent . . . clarifies the important roles that paraprofessionals can take in the classroom - and provides a myriad of ideas and suggestions for helping educators meet the needs of students with disabilities in effective and enlightened ways."

University of Wisconsin-Madison - Kimber Malmgren

"A book that everyone associated with inclusive education will want to read and talk about. Guaranteed, it will find an audience far wider than the paraprofessional. Parents, teachers, and school leaders alike will surely count it among their most valued resources."

Dean of Education, Syracuse University - Douglas Biklen

"Lively, smart, informative, practical, and thoughtful . . . provides a powerful set of tools for [readers] who seek to make a positive difference in the life of the classroom and the lives of students who learn there."

Beth A. Ferri

"If we are to continue to focus on developing high-quality educational programs that ensure that students with disabilities experience rich and interesting curriculum within inclusive environments, then resources such as [this] must be used by educational teams."

Research & Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities

"Easy to read and understand, this valuable resource provides practical information and tips for paraeducators and their supervisors."

Bayridge Consortium, San Diego, CA - Richard A. Villa

"The best and most comprehensive information about the roles, responsibilities, and values of paraprofessionals."

Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin - Lou Brown