Decoding Autism and Leading the Way to Successful Inclusion, Aug/2020

More students on the autism spectrum are taught in general education settings today than ever before, bringing an array of notable strengths and skills that add intriguing new dimensions to educational programs. But these students also present challenges that are broader, deeper, and more intractable than those of their typically developing peers. Because reaching and teaching students on the autism spectrum in an inclusive environment complicates the work of teachers, school and district administrators must be prepared to provide knowledgeable, mindful leadership.

With warmth and wisdom informed by her experience as a school administrator, autism educator, clinician, and parent of a son on the spectrum, Barbara Boroson provides a holistic look at the challenges students on the spectrum face in the areas of anxiety, executive function, sensation, communication, socialization, engagement, and cognitive acquisition. You’ll learn to decode the functional and behavioral manifestations of these challenges, and you’ll gain practical and research-based preemptive, supportive, and responsive strategies. You will also find

1. Insight into the perspectives of parents and guardians, along with guidance on partnering with them in ways that acknowledge both their expertise and yours.
2. Tips for modeling transparency and creative differentiation in order to set an inclusive tone throughout your school or district.
3. Supplemental materials to help you engage and educate families and the entire school community about autism, inclusion, and best-practice policies.

Decoding Autism and Leading the Way to Successful Inclusion empowers school and district leaders to ensure that students on the spectrum are welcome, supported, understood, and set up for success. It’s an essential resource for any education leader committed to achieving a differentiated, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for all students in their care.

About the Author:

Barbara Boroson is the author of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Inclusive Classroom: How to Reach and Teach Students with ASD and has worked in the field of autism education for more than 25 years in clinical, administrative, and advisory capacities. She provides professional development and consultative services nationwide to school districts and parents facilitating successful inclusion, and speaks frequently at conferences of the International Literacy Association, National School Boards Association, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association for the Education of Young Children, and ASCD, among others, as well as at many colleges and graduate schools.