The Paraprofessional's Handbook for Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms By Julie Causton-Theoharis

The Paraprofessional's Handbook for Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms
By Julie Causton-Theoharis, Ph.D.

"Excellent ... clarifies the important roles that paraprofessionals can take in the classroom—and provides a myriad of ideas and suggestions for helping educators meet the needs of students with disabilities in effective and enlightened ways." —Kimber Malmgren, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

"A book that everyone associated with inclusive education will want to read and talk about ... Parents, teachers, and school leaders alike will surely count it among their most valued resources." —Douglas Biklen, Ph.D., Dean of Education, Syracuse University

What does a great paraprofessional need to know and do? Find out in this handy survival guide, equally useful for the brand-new paraprofessional or the 20-year classroom veteran. Packed with friendly guidance, practical tips, and relatable first-person stories, this book reveals the best ways to provide effective, respectful services to students in inclusive classrooms.

Julie Causton-Theoharis, a teacher, professor, and educational consultant with more than 10 years of experience as a paraprofessional instructor, knows exactly how to help readers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can start making a difference. She answers all the urgent questions paraprofessionals have as they navigate their complex job in the inclusive classroom, showing readers how to:

• provide skillful and subtle support to students while encouraging their independence
• resolve challenging behavior in gentle and positive ways
• find students' strengths and match support practices to them
• fade their support
• make informed decisions about content-specific accommodations, modifications, and adaptations
• presume competence and keep expectations high
• facilitate peer supports and friendships
• partner with teachers, SLPs, psychologists, families, and other members of the educational team
• relieve their own stress and avoid burnout
  

To help them master the daily ups and downs of the inclusive classroom, paraprofessionals will get ready-to-use practical content: tips for supporting students with specific disabilities, helpful question-and-answer sections, examples of successful problem-solving, a quick-guide to acronyms in education, easy ideas for improving teamwork, and more.

The essential guide for every paraprofessional—and a must-have for the educators and other professionals who support them—this empowering book takes the guesswork out of a critical classroom role and helps students with disabilities reach their full potential.

The Paraprofessional's Handbook for Effective Support in Inclusive Classrooms

Table of Contents

About the Author
Foreword
Paula Kluth
Preface
Acknowledgments

1. The Paraprofessional

2. Special Education

3. Inclusive Education

4. Collaborating with Others: Working within a Team

5. Rethinking Students: Presuming Competence

6. Providing Social Supports: Standing Back

7. Providing Academic Support

8. Providing Behavioral Supports

9. Supporting You Supporting Them: Self-Care

Appendix: Useful Web Sites and Resources for Assistive Technology