Just Give Him the Whale!

20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism
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Just Give Him the Whale!
Paula Kluth, Ph.D., Patrick Schwarz, Ph.D.
Special Education
Highly practical accessible guide that shows teachers how to use children's fascinations to improve learning
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$24.95
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STOCK NUMBER ISBN
69605 978-1-55766-960-5
COPYRIGHT PAGES
2008 160
AVAILABILITY
Available Stock

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When learners with autism have deep, consuming fascinations—trains, triangles, basketballs, whales—teachers often wonder what to do. This concise, highly practical guidebook gives educators across grade levels a powerful new way to think about students' "obsessions": as positive teaching tools that calm, motivate, and improve learning.

Written by top autism experts and nationally renowned speakers Paula Kluth and Patrick Schwarz, this guide is brimming with easy tips and strategies for folding students' special interests, strengths, and areas of expertise into classroom lessons and routines. Teachers will discover how making the most of fascinations can help their students

  • learn standards-based academic content
  • boost literacy learning and mathematics skills
  • develop social connections
  • expand communication skills
  • minimize anxiety
  • and much more

Just Give Him the Whale! is packed from start to finish with unforgettable stories based on the authors' experience, firsthand perspectives from people with autism themselves, research-based recommendations that are easy to use right away, and sample forms teachers can adapt for use in their own classrooms. An enjoyable read with an eye-opening message, this short book will have a long-lasting impact on teachers' understanding of autism—and on their students' social and academic success.

About the Authors
About the Cover Artist
A Note About Terminology
Introduction
Acknowledgments

Fascinations, areas of expertise, and strengths can be used

  1. To Develop a Relationship with the Student

  2. To Expand Social Opportunities

  3. To Expand Communication Skills and Opportunities

  4. To Help Minimize Anxiety

  5. To Plan for Inclusive Schooling

  6. To Build Classroom Expertise

  7. To Boost Literacy Learning

  8. To Comfort

  9. To Inspire Career Ideas

  10. To Encourage Risk Taking

  11. To Connect Students to Standards-Based Content

  12. To Encourage In-Depth Study

  13. To Make Sense of a Confusing World

  14. To Let Students Shine and Showcase Talents

  15. To Give Students "Power"

  16. To Encourage Chit-Chat

  17. To Boost Mathematics Skills and Competencies

  18. To Teach Manners, Cooperation, and the Expression of Empathy

  19. To Encourage Greatness

  20. To Make Life Worth Living

References
Appendix A Frequently Asked Questions
Appendix B Additional Resources Focused on Strengths, Abilities, and Interests


Reviews

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Reviews

Maureen Bennie, Director, Autism Awareness Centre, Inc. - December 1, 2009
"Excellent . . . This book gives great ideas on how to use student strengths without an overwhelming text to wade through."
: Howard County Autism Society Perspectives - August 1, 2009
"Immensely practical . . . Speaks to a value system rooted in the principles of self-determination."
: Education Review - July 30, 2008
"A readable and practical guidebook . . . recommended for academic and public libraries."
: Autism Asperger's Digest - July 25, 2008
"The ultimate in 'practical,' yet it is highly readable and uplifting . . . each [chapter] is packed with teaching tools that demonstrate how to use passions to motivate, expand horizons and engage in academics."
Jenn Seybert, Autism self-advocate; Executive Board, Autism National Committee - December 14, 2007
"Provides wonderful insights on how autistic individuals . . . can be helped by means of creative strategies that can empower them to experience success."
Kate McGinnity, co-author, Walk Awhile in My Autism - December 10, 2007
"A powerful resource. Kluth and Schwarz's innovative focus on the passions and talents of people with autism is sure to deepen relationships and enrich lives."
Catriona Johnson, Chair, Autism Society of America Government Relations Committee; parent of a child with autism - December 10, 2007
"I am so grateful for this book . . . Kluth and Schwarz give educators and parents the tools to empower students with autism. I can't think of a greater gift."
Carol Gray, President, The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding - November 30, 2007
"This book is for any teacher who wants to be remembered fondly by her students as the one who 'got it', who built meaning and motivation into learning. I wish this book had been on my shelf my first year of teaching!"
Carol Tashie, author, Seeing the Charade: What We Need to Do and Undo to Make Friendships Happen - November 19, 2007
"Once again Paula and Patrick have hit the nail squarely on the head . . . A practical book that is crystal clear in its values and powerful in its vision. I recommend it for every teacher who wants to make a difference in all students' lives."

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