How to be a Para Pro: A Comprehensive Training Manual for Paraprofessionals

by Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

SKU: ISBN: 0966652916

This 200 page user-friendly training manual is divided into two parts. Part One is a "short-course" on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) for people "in the trenches." Part two takes a "cookbook style" look at the art and science of paraprofessional support for students with ASD and those with other cognitive impairments.

Jam packed with examples, and summary "take home" messages, How To Be A ParaPro contains specific information on 4 separate categories of support: Peripheral, Direct Academic, Social/Play & Leisure, and Behavioral, as well as Data & Record-Keeping forms and ideas. Special features include a blueprint for determining the optimal level of caregiver support and ways to reduce prompt dependency, an abundance of reproducible record-keeping forms, and "how-to vignettes" to aid the application of skills.

This manual is a must have not only for para professionals, but for anyone who works closely with children with autism spectrum disorders, including: parents, teachers, administrators, speech language pathologists, etc.

Please contact us for information regarding bulk discounts.

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments.
  • Foreword
  • Preface
Part One Autism Spectrum Disorders "101 ": A Short Course for People in the Trenches
  • Chapter 1
    Getting to Know Your Student: The Autism Spectrum Disorders Continuum.
  • Chapter 2
    Getting to Know Your Student: Atypicalities in Social Understanding and Expression
  • Chapter 3
    Getting to Know Your Student: Impairments in Communication and Language
  • Chapter 4
    Getting to Know Your Student: Restricted Repertoire of Interests and Activities; Problems with Imagination.
  • Chapter 5
    Getting to Know Your Student: Abnormal Response to Sensation
  • Chapter 6
    Getting to Know Your Student: Theory of Mind; Information Processing; Executive Function.
  • Chapter 7
    Getting to Know Your Student: High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome: Does It Really Matter?
Part Two The " Art and Science" of Being a Para Pro
  • Chapter 8
    General Overview of Paraprofessional Support: A New Breed for a New Century
  • Chapter 9
    You're in the Trenches Now: The "Science" of Being a Para Pro.
  • Chapter 10
    You're in the Trenches Now: The "Art" of Being a Para Pro
  • Chapter 11
    Sample Supports and Accommodations for Students with Special Needs.
  • Chapter 12
    A "Wrap Up" Potpourri: Melding Art with Science.
  • Appendix A
  • Appendix B
  • Index

Price :

$29.95

Quantity

Product Reviews

Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP — Rating 1/5

"Dr. Diane Twachtman-Cullen has fulfilled an enormous need in writing a manual that directly addresses the crucial role of paraprofessionals…This manual succeeds at many levels. It is chock full of insights, tips, and anecdotes that bring alive the everyday challenges faced by paraprofessionals, and also provides strategies to address the most common and perplexing challenges. Written in an engaging and personal manner that transcends differences in program approach or philosophy, this manual will be an invaluable resource and core reference for all educational staff - those who are paraprofessionals and those who train and work with paraprofessionals."

Carol Gray, Editor, The Morning News, Jenison, MI; Developer, Social Stories

"How To Be A Para Pro is a book that must find its way to every school district, every school, and every classroom where children with autistic spectrum disorders are educated…Regardless of the page number, the goal of this volume never falters from view: placing information in the critically important hands of the paraprofessional…If applause can be silent and verbally unexpressed, Diane will ultimately know the applause of children who experience educational environments that are trained, understanding, and supportive of their efforts to learn. Simply stated, this is a very important book for paraprofessionals, educators, and the children they serve."

James Ball, Ed.D., Director, Youth Consultation Service, Sawtelle Learning Center, Montclair, NJ

"OUTSTANDING - The one book every paraprofessional who works with students within the autism spectrum should have. Part One: Autism Spectrum Disorders 101: A Short Course is concise and highlights the essential information every paraprofessional should know when working with students within the autism spectrum. Part Two: The Art and Science of Being a Para Pro, utilizes a "cook book" format, making it quick and easy to access information, allowing for immediate reference. Real-life examples and proven strategies make this book not only user friendly but immediately effective for all paraprofessionals who use it. A one of a kind! "

Barb Kirby and Patty Romanowski-Bashe, In Press, The OASIS Guide To Asperger Syndrome, Crown Books, November 2001 (http://www.aspergersyndrome.org)

"If your child needs a para pro, required reading for you, your child's teacher, and your child's para is...How to Be a Para Pro...Frankly, we strongly believe that as long as there is a copy of this book available, no school district has an excuse for undertraining staff - and that includes teachers, principals, and administrators - in autism spectrum disorders..."

A Parent from Delaware

"Buy a copy for your school, but don't forget to buy one for yourself because as I was recently reminded by another parent who loves this book as much as I do, we parents are also Para Pros when it comes to helping and understanding our kids."

A Parent from New Jersey

"I just received How to Be a Para Pro - and I love it! / am devouring it. I will be lending it and spreading the info around school / friends / family... Thank you for a FANTASTIC book!"

A Paraprofessional from New Hampshire

"I can't thank you enough for writing the book How To Be A Para Pro. It is exactly what we have been needing! Those of us who work with children who have ASD certainly need a manual that we can turn to & yours is most helpful! Again - THANK YOU."

Please login to review this product.