The Paraprofessional's Handbook for Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms

This is a clear, friendly, handy guide for paraprofessionals that explains what they do and offers strategies for how to do it well. This book provides paraprofessionals with clear and direct information about supporting students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms. It begins with background information on working with students with special educational needs, relevant pieces of special education law, and the philosophy of inclusive education. Readers will then learn state-of-the-art strategies for appropriately and respectfully supporting students academically, behaviorally and socially in the classroom. Next, the book addresses professional collaboration and communication with students, teachers and parents. The final chapter presents strategies for taking care of yourself while taking care of your students. Throughout the book, voices of students with disabilities and paraprofessionals are included to add insight to each topic. Though paraprofessionals typically work with some of the most challenging students, they often have less training and education than their colleagues. This book combines the comprehensive background information paraprofessionals need with research-proven strategies to help them succeed.

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).