Special education teachers play a crucial role in the lives of students with diverse needs. From learning disabilities to physical impairments, special educators work tirelessly to create an inclusive and supportive classroom environment. One way for special education teachers to enhance their skills and knowledge is to read books for teachers written by experts in the field. These books can provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and inspiration to help teachers better meet the needs of their students. In this article, we will explore some of the top books that special education teachers should consider reading.
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by Stephanie DeLussey
Special education teachers play a crucial role in ensuring that Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are tailored to meet the unique needs of their students. However, many teachers lack the necessary training and support to write effective IEPs. The Intentional IEP is a book that offers guidance on how to collaborate with stakeholders, including parents, general education teachers, and therapists, to create successful IEPs. The book emphasizes the importance of assembling an IEP team and working together to improve current processes and habits for simpler and more effective IEP writing.
Despite the demands placed on educators, it’s crucial not to cut corners when it comes to IEPs. Writing them in isolation, procrastinating until the last minute, and making decisions without consulting data and research can lead to ineffective plans. The Intentional IEP provides the necessary resources to approach IEPs with confidence, prioritize competing demands, and find the capacity to show up for students while involving families in the process.
by Mona Delahooke
Dr. Mona Delahooke, a renowned pediatric psychologist, explains in her book Beyond Behaviors that behaviors are just the tip of the iceberg. Instead, they serve as critical signals that should prompt us to seek a deeper understanding of a child’s individual differences within the context of relational safety.
This practical guidebook includes helpful worksheets and charts which can be used by professionals, educators, and parents. It provides valuable tools and techniques to help reduce behavioral challenges and promote psychological resilience, resulting in satisfying and secure relationships for children. Beyond Behaviors is an accessible and essential resource for anyone seeking to better understand and support children with behavioral issues.
by Ross Greene
Dr. Ross W. Greene presents a unique perspective on the subject of challenging behavior, offering educators and parents an alternative framework for understanding it. His Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) approach enables adults to identify and address the root causes of problematic behaviors in classrooms. By prioritizing these underlying factors, educators can establish supportive relationships with their most vulnerable students. Dr. Greene’s CPS approach empowers educators to make a positive difference in the lives of children who are at risk.
by Diane Kennedy, Rebecca S. Banks, and Temple Grandin
In Bright Not Broken, the authors delve into the world of twice-exceptional children, offering a fresh perspective on who they are and why they often face numerous challenges. The book provides a critical examination of the misdiagnosis and controversies that surround our current diagnostic system, challenging readers to question why our mental health and education systems struggle to support children with exceptional abilities.
The authors offer a comprehensive whole-child model for parents and educators, which focuses on developing a child’s innate gifts while also addressing their deficits. Drawing on extensive research and personal experience, Bright Not Broken provides valuable insights and practical strategies to help 2e kids reach their full potential. Through this groundbreaking work, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the unique needs of twice-exceptional children and learn how to create a more supportive environment for them.
by Heather Friziellie, Julie A. Schmidt, and Jeanne Spiller
With the adoption of more rigorous academic standards, schools face a pressing need to integrate special education into their standards-aligned curricula, instruction, and assessment. To achieve this goal, general and special educators must work collaboratively, leveraging the power of PLC practices to close the achievement gap and enhance learning outcomes for all students.
In Yes We Can!, the authors emphasize the importance of collective responsibility in improving outcomes for students with special needs. They urge educators to develop collaborative partnerships that enable them to address the unique challenges faced by students with disabilities. Through this approach, schools can create an inclusive and supportive learning environment that benefits all students.
by Heather T. Forbes
In Help for Billy, Heather Forbes offers practical guidance for families and educators who are grappling with the challenges of traumatized children. Drawing on cutting-edge research in the field of neuroscience, Forbes presents a comprehensive set of strategies for teachers and parents alike.
This easy-to-read manual is packed with tables, outlines, and lists that provide an easily accessible roadmap to understanding how traumatic experiences can impact brain function and learning. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, this book is an essential resource for anyone seeking to better support a child who has been affected by trauma. By using the tools and techniques outlined in Help for Billy, readers can create a more empathetic and supportive environment that nurtures the whole child.
by Katherine Quie
In Raising Will, a mother and child psychologist shares her heartfelt and humbling story of raising a child with ADHD. From the moment Will is diagnosed, the family finds themselves navigating a challenging landscape of therapy, medication, tutoring, and sleepless nights. However, amidst the struggles, they discover Will’s innate talent for playing blues guitar, which becomes a beacon of hope and strength.
This memoir is a poignant and relatable account of a family’s journey through the ups and downs of ADHD. Through their experiences, readers will find solace, laughter, and hope, gaining a deeper understanding of the unexpected blessings that can arise from living with this condition. The author’s honesty and vulnerability make Raising Will a must-read for anyone who has been touched by ADHD or who simply seeks to gain a greater appreciation for the resilience and potential of the human spirit.
by Dr. Stuart Shanker
In Self-Reg, readers will discover a groundbreaking approach to understanding and supporting their children’s emotional and behavioral development. Dr. Shanker draws on decades of research and experience working with parents and children to present a practical guide for helping kids engage calmly and effectively in learning and life.
At the heart of the book is a powerful concept: self-regulation. By exploring the nervous system’s response to stress, Dr. Shanker sheds light on the challenges facing today’s children and teens. With excessive levels of stress becoming increasingly common, there has been a surge of emotional, social, learning, behavior, and physical health concerns. Unfortunately, many parents and teachers fail to recognize the “hidden stressors” that their children are facing, including physiological, social, and emotional factors.
Through Self-Reg, parents and teachers can realign the parent-child/teacher-student relationships to promote positive change. Rather than viewing children as lacking self-control or willpower, the book helps adults understand that these problems often stem from excessive stress. With practical strategies and insights, Self-Reg is a must-read for any parent or teacher seeking to support children’s growth and well-being.
by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
As a parent or teacher, watching a talented child struggle with tasks like completing homework, tidying up, or following instructions at school can be incredibly frustrating. The experience is even more challenging when your “smart but scattered” child struggles with managing anger or disappointment.
But don’t despair – in their book, Drs. Peg Dawson and Richard Guare offer practical solutions that draw on the latest research in child development. The authors emphasize the importance of “executive skills,” which are fundamental habits of mind required for success. Unfortunately, many children who have the potential to succeed often lack these skills.
In Smart but Scattered, parents and teachers can learn easy-to-follow steps for identifying their child’s strengths and weaknesses, implementing activities and techniques that boost specific skills, and problem-solving daily routines. By making small changes, parents and teachers can help their children make significant improvements in executive functioning, leading to greater success in school and beyond.
by Naoki Higashida
The Reason I Jump is an extraordinary memoir written by Naoki Higashida, a charming and self-aware thirteen-year-old boy with autism. Through his writing, Naoki offers readers a unique window into the mind of an autistic person, providing insights into how they think, feel, perceive, and respond to the world around them.
For parents, teachers, and family members of individuals with autism, The Reason I Jump is an invaluable resource. Naoki’s honest and poignant reflections provide a way for teachers and loved ones to connect with their autistic family members in ways they never thought possible. They can gain a deeper understanding of the curious, subtle, and complex inner life of their loved ones.
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