Inclusive Education for Autistic Children: Helping Children and Young People to Learn and Flourish in the Classroom

by Rebecca Wood, Sonny Hallett (Illustrator), Wenn Lawson (Foreword)

This book presents original, empirical research that reframes how educators should consider autism and educational inclusion. Rebecca Wood carefully unpicks common misapprehensions about autism and how autistic children learn, and reconsiders what inclusion can and should mean for autistic learners in school settings.

Drawing on research and interwoven with comments from autistic child and adult contributors throughout, the book argues that inclusion will only work if the ways in which autistic children think, learn, communicate and exhibit their understanding are valued and supported. Such an approach will benefit both the learner and the whole classroom. Considering topics such as the sensory environment, support, learning and cognition, school curriculums, communication and socialisation, this much needed book offers ideas and insight that reflect the practical side of day-to-day teaching and learning, and shows how thinking differently about autism and inclusion will equip teachers to effectively improve teaching conditions for the whole school.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2019

About the author

Rebecca Wood is a former teacher and autism education practitioner who completed her PhD at the Autism Centre for Education and Research at the University of Birmingham where she was awarded a full time scholarship. She was also Project Manager of the European Transform Autism Education project and is currently a postdoctoral Fellow at King's College, London, funded by the ESRC. Rebecca has had a number of articles published in academic journals and online media such as the TES, The Conversation and Network Autism. She gives presentations and runs seminars nationally and internationally and provides input to autism charities. Rebecca cares deeply about conducting research which can impact directly on practice in order to improve the outcomes for autistic children, young people and adults.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for a more practical and realistic book to help with teaching ASD children with ASD in the classroom. This was not the book! In fact, the ideas given were simply idealistic and unworkable in the classroom. It made me feel frustrated and totally unsupported.

[Shannon Marie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read on supporting autistic children. Thank you for your work.