Often parents are asked to choose between inclusion and intensive instruction. What is a parent (or teacher) to do?

Just Say No! Both inclusion are intensive instruction are necessary (and evidence-based) components of an effective program for students with autism and other disabilities.Both inclusion are intensive instruction are necessary (and evidence-based) components of an effective program for students with autism and other disabilities.

Take action Develop deep understanding of both inclusion and intensive instruction so that you can help design the bridgeDevelop deep understanding of both inclusion and intensive instruction so that you can help design the bridge Work with team members to identify important goals and outcomesWork with team members to identify important goals and outcomes Help team members plan instruction in contextual rich settingsHelp team members plan instruction in contextual rich settings

So, what is inclusion??

(Allen & Schwartz, p.4) Inclusion is not a set of strategies or a placement issue. Inclusion is about belonging to a community – a group of friends, a school community, or a neighborhood. (Allen & Schwartz, p.4)

“Inclusion is a right, not a privilege for a select few” (Oberti v. Board of Education in Clementon School District, 1993).

Inclusion means providing all students within the mainstream appropriate educational programs that are challenging yet geared to their capabilities and needs as well as any support and assistance they and/or their teachers may need to be successful in the mainstream.

But an inclusive school also goes beyond this. An inclusive school is a place where everyone belongs, is accepted, supports, and is supported by her or her peers and other members of the school community in the course of having his or her educational needs met (Stainback & Stainback, 1990, p. 3)

Inclusion “Bloopers” Assuming that “being there” is enoughAssuming that “being there” is enough “Dumping” rather than planning“Dumping” rather than planning Not individualizing to meet students’ needsNot individualizing to meet students’ needs Over using 1 on 1 instructional assistantsOver using 1 on 1 instructional assistants Focusing on activities rather than objectivesFocusing on activities rather than objectives Underestimating the effectiveness of explicit instructionUnderestimating the effectiveness of explicit instruction

Inclusion Bloopers -- cont. Allowing the program, rather than student needs, to be guiding force of servicesAllowing the program, rather than student needs, to be guiding force of services Assuming sitting quietly is an appropriate alternative to participationAssuming sitting quietly is an appropriate alternative to participation Always attending to the squeaky wheelAlways attending to the squeaky wheel

Children are Children First All children are good at some things and not so good at others Education is about identifying where children are and designing instruction at his or her level

Treat each student like he or she is with you all day long Treat each child like he or she contributes to the class in a special way

Autism is a collection of overlapping groups of symptoms that vary from child to child Siegel, 1996, p.301

Disabilities on the Spectrum: Autism Autism Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD- NOS) Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD- NOS) Asperger’s Syndrome Asperger’s Syndrome Rett’s Syndrome Rett’s Syndrome Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

What is Autism? Issues in three areas: – –social interaction, – –communication, – –ritualistic behavior A spectrum disorder: different children affected to different degrees in each area

Social Deficits (DSM-IV) Impairment in nonverbal communication (gestures, eye gaze, etc.) Failure in developing peer relationships Lack of spontaneous sharing of enjoyment, interests, etc. Lack of social or emotional reciprocity

What You Might See Complete lack of interest in others. Very attached to certain adults, but no interest in peers. Inappropriate interest in others. Wants friends, but doesn’t “get it.” Lack of understanding of facial expression (sometimes with disastrous results). Behavior problems related to lack of interest in social praise or social consequences.

Communication (DSM-IV) Delay in or total lack of spoken language. Impairment in ability to initiate or sustain conversation. Stereotyped use of language. Lack of make-believe play.

What You Might See Use of augmentative communication systems or no communication system. Children with very good language, but odd uses: pronoun reversals, strange uses of words. Children with odd sounding language. “Scripting” Repetitive, unimaginative play or no play. Behavior problems because of limited language.

Restricted, Repetitive and Stereotyped Patterns of Behavior (DSM-IV) Abnormally obsessive interests Rigid adherence to routines Stereotyped motor movements Preoccupation with parts of objects

What You Might See Obsessions with trains, maps, letters, etc. Hand flapping, vocalizing, spinning, self- injurious behavior. Lack of interest in “normal” childhood activities. Tantrums and other behavior problems around routine changes. Behavior problems around obsessions.

Other Aspects of Autism Onset before Age 3 Male to female ratio: 4:1 Mental Retardation Sensory Issues Savant capabilities Is it increasing?? Yes. 1 in 175 is current prevalence

Asperger’s Syndrome Same issues in social interactions and repetitive/stereotyped behaviors No general delay in language Average or above average IQ

How do students with disabilities learn? Children with disabilities DO NOT always learn from typical strategies employed in school setting: – –Trial and error – –Discovery learning Instruction might need to be direct and explicit Instruction must provide for many practice opportunities across the day and across many days

First Day of School Be organized…Know the students in your class! Make the day successful Use verbal, written, and visual representations of schedules Provide students with some structured opportunities to respond Teach school routines, schedules, rules

How do I teach a child who …

Grade EntryAccess LevelLevelLevel Grade Level: Curriculum is grade level content, but presentation may need to be different (e.g. fewer problems on a page, enlarged text, scribe, etc.). The word accommodation is often used to describe the ways students access and demonstrate learning in different ways.

Grade EntryAccess LevelLevelLevel Entry Level: Accessing same content area as peers, but content is simplified (e.g. one-digit addition instead of two-digit, reading comprehension passage simplified, and learner is presented with multiple choice to answer comprehension questions opposed to open- ended).

Grade EntryAccess LevelLevelLevel Access Level: Accessing the curriculum activity, but content area is different (e.g. S. is working on identification of numbers by circling all the fives on the page when peers are working on 2-digit addition, working on a fine motor task by cutting out all the sheep on a page when learners in the classroom are reading a passage about sheep).

How do I support students and staff behaviorally? Needs to be a solid plan Based on a functional behavior support plan Should follow the principles that do not allow for the behavior to be reinforce

Placed in “time out”Reinforced Child drops to the floor when asked to transition from class to class Physically assisted to transition Not Reinforced

Social SkillsSocial SkillsSocial SkillsSocial Skills