Sheila Wagner

This second edition of this award-winning book provides instructional resources and strategies for both teachers and parents of elementary students with autism. Appropriate social and communicative behavior is a fundamental concern for parents, caregivers, and teachers of school children. Children should be able to move in a safe and socially successful manner through their school years despite changing family culture, their activity level or degree of insight into the consequences of their behavior. One would also hope that they develop a positive character and good values about human rights and social responsibility along the way. The most important long-term goal, however, is that they grow into content, kind, and successful fellow human beings. This book illustrates more than 120 goals for developing positive personality features, adequate social behavior and communicative competence. Ideas for long- and short-term goals have been selected from existing school programs, general education of values, as well as from parents and teachers.

The revised and updated edition of the groundbreaking book Asperger’s and Girls describes the unique challenges of females on the autism spectrum. In it, you’ll follow the lives of women with autism through childhood, the social and academic challenges of the education system, and into the career and dating worlds. You’ll also hear from top experts on crucial and often under-discussed subjects, including:Diagnosing girls with ASDNavigating the neurotypical social worldPuberty, sexual health, and personal safetyIndependence, relationships, and marriageThe importance of the right careerAnd so much more. This book is a necessity for women with autism and those who love and support them. Direct advice from leading professionals and candid stories written by the indomitable women who have lived them send an important message: we are women with autism. Give us the right tools and we can change the world. First edition was winner of the Gold Award, Foreword Book of the Year.

Successful inclusion in high school is critical for achieving independence as an adult! Even though inclusive education is now the standard for educating students with special needs, inclusion is a still a very new process. Successful inclusion relies on flexibility of parents and educators, and their ability to work together for the sake of the student. Training, collaboration, specialized teaching, long-term planning, and a clear idea of the desired outcome for the student - these are just as important at the high school level as they were in elementary and middle school. This comprehensive guide will help you give your child or student the best possible high school experience. You will learn how to help students navigate the social minefields of friendships and dating, while fostering the executive functioning skills they will need as adults. Expert Sheila Wagner provides the strategies and solutions you'll need before, during, and after high school. The topics include: transitioning from middle school, IEP goals and objectives, accommodations/modifications, course selection, developing friendships, prom night and dating, bullying, graduation requirements, zero-tolerance and discipline standards, driving permits, preparing for college, employment options, transitioning to the adult world, planning for inclusion into the community, and many more!

This succinct guide will help educators identify, and meet the needs of, the student with Asperger's Syndrome (AS). School can be a nightmare for these students. Their lack of social understanding makes them an easy target for teasing and their different way of thinking can require a different way of teaching. Without information and training in this disability, teachers face confusion and frustration in light of students' unusual behaviors. This guide offers teachers a better understanding of AS so they can help the students with AS have a richer, more enjoyable educational experience. This quick-read answers questions and provides solutions!

Middle school presents unique challenges to those with autism/Asperger's, but it can also be exciting and rewarding. Inclusive Programming addresses transitioning to and from middle school, and everything in between: hormones, cliques, bullying, aggression, and "fitting in." The ingredients for success are pre-planning, frequent monitoring of progress, teacher training, and regular communication between all concerned. Add committed teachers, peer mentors/tutors, sensible allowances for individual students' needs (extra test time, visual/oral format, less or different homework, etc.) as called for, and you have a recipe for success. Helpful chapters include: Autism in a NutshellInclusion DiscussionProfiles and Characteristics of Middle School StudentsFormation of an Individual Education Plan (IEP)Behavior Programming in Middle SchoolAcademic Issues of Middle School StudentsSocial ProgrammingCollaborative Roles