The Hidden Curriculum - 3rd Edition by Brenda Smith Myles & Melissa L Trautman & Ronda L Schelvan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In the third edition of this popular book, the authors narrow their target to issues common to adolescents and young adults. A former AAPC Publishing title, many of the features of the original book have been maintained and information on evidence-based practice has been added. Further, a series of instructional strategies are provided that can be used to teach the hidden curriculum. Instructional aids include charts, forms, and templates designed to make the job of teaching and learning the hidden curriculum more effective.

The world around us is a complicated place filled with expectations, rules, assumptions, guidelines, regulations, and policies. Although rules and mandates, in themselves, can be complex, most of us take comfort in them - often unconsciously - because they help us to know what to do in most everyday situations. Most of us like rules if they are consistent. It is when they are unclear, are used inconsistently, or are unstated that we become upset, indignant, or confused.

We are surrounded daily by such unstated rules or expectations that make the world a confusing place. This is known as the hidden curriculum. It is important to understand that the hidden curriculum exists across environments, places, and people. The purpose of this book is to make readers aware of the hidden curriculum, its elusiveness, and its impact. Some of us require more instruction in the hidden curriculum than others. Some seem to learn the hidden curriculum or aspects of it almost automatically. Others learn the hidden curriculum only by direct instruction. And that is where this book comes in.

Review Quotes

"Any book that has Brenda Myles as a contributing author is guaranteed to be a top 'go to' resource for supporting those with ASD. And this revised edition of The Hidden Curriculum is indeed just that kind of resource. The authors explain what the hidden curriculum is, provide a model for uncovering these subtle social rules, and perhaps most importantly, give us a very practical social map for lots of everyday situations. They even give us an extensive list of the underlying meanings behind many common idioms. Anyone supporting individuals with ASD should have this important guide on their shelf!" -- Jed Baker, PhD, Director of the Social Skills Training Project, Author of the award-winning Social Skills Training: For Children and Adolescents with Autism and Social Communication Differences

"This latest edition of The Hidden Curriculum is a great resource for those in the neuromajority to surface the many unspoken--and frankly often baffling and arbitrary!--social expectations that most people assume are known by all. The book can serve as a powerful tool to help educators and family members become a trusted support person to those for whom these expectations are not 'just picked up.' Equipped with this insight, these hidden rules can be unpacked and investigated, to inform and empower individuals to better understand themselves, the people around them, and to self-advocate for their needs." -- Aaron Lanou, MSEd, Inclusive Education Consultant, Member of Carol Gray's Team (Social Stories), and Former Executive Director, ASD Nest at New York University

"A triumph of a text for all who work and care for autistic people, this is an updated compendium of resources that provides essential ideas and guidance around the challenges that people with social cognitive difficulties both experience and present to others." -- Dr. Alastair Barnett, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Conatus Psychology, UK