Simple Strategies That Work! - by Brenda Smith Myles & Diane Adreon & Dena Gitlitz (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Children and youth with autism and related exceptionalities have great potential. However, all too often their abilities are not realized. Simple Strategies That Work! provides easy-to-implement ideas and suggestions that teachers can use to help a student with autism and related needs on the road to success. The book discusses how teachers can adjust the classroom to meet the needs of an individual with autism while not interfering with normal classroom routines. Not boggled down with jargon, this book includes tables and boxes for quick reference and clear meaning for autism-related information. Also included is information about what can cause anxiety for the student on the spectrum, how this can lead to decreased academic and social performance, decreased attention to task, and potential increases in behavior problems, and what the teacher can do to assist. With easy-to-implement suggestions, these simple strategies help all kids learn and make a difference in the life of somebody with high-functioning autism.

Review Quotes

"I love this book! The secret is in its simplicity. I plan to use the book as a training guide for school staff working with students with AS/HFA. I particularly love the clever way each strategy has been introduced, with titles like 'Live Out Loud, ' and brief and easy-to-understand explanations of why it is important to use a given strategy. The ideas are appropriate for all educational environments - from early childhood to adult work situations - and are laid out in a user-friendly way so as to be easily understood by special education as well as mainstream personnel. I will buy multiple copies!" - Kari Dunn Buron, autism resource specialist, author of When My Autism Gets Too Big! and co-author of The Incredible 5-Point Scale

"Strategies That Work! is an excellent resource for any teacher, regardless of level or specialization. It contains strategies that are practical and positive not only for students with AS/HFA but for everyone in the class. I will be referring to it often for suggestions as well as reassurance." - Kristen E. Hagen, M.S., elementary teacher and educational consultant

"Strategies That Work! is best summed up as a gem! It is easy to use, blissfully brief, yet thoroughly comprehensive. These suggestions WORK, both in the classroom and around the school, camps, and home. Every teacher should have a copy. Every parent and anyone who interacts daily with people on the spectrum should have a copy as well." - Susan Moreno, president, MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome

"This book tells about a lot of the problems kids with AS deal with. It gives good suggestions that are comprehensive and well organized so they will be easy for teachers to look through and find ideas quickly." - Cameron Blackwell, age 14

"I can't wait to get this book into the hands of my sons' teachers! It is full of easy-to-understand descriptions of the challenges our kids face and step-by-step strategies that can be implemented in the school setting. It will be my new IEP conference companion!" - Jen Blackwell, special education para educator and mother of four children, one with Asperger Syndrome and one with high-functioning autism

"This book is filled with great strategies that are easy to implement and will assist in reducing stress for students diagnosed with AS/HFA. I plan to use this book for staff development for our extended learning staff this fall." - Kathy L. Mangino, director of Extended Learning, Olathe District Schools

"Meeting AS/HFA students' needs as a classroom teacher is challenging, but this book makes the job easier by offering practical, applicable strategies for everyday use. Teachers can implement the suggested procedures and helpful hints immediately and assist students without AS/HFA as well." - Nancy Hildreth, middle school teacher, Queen of the Holy Rosary Wea Catholic School