Push to Open ― A Teacher??Quickguide to Universal Design for Teaching Students on the Autism Spectrum in the General Education Classroom

This is a handbook of strategies for coping with autistic behavior in a general classroom. Author Combs sets up a model she calls "Push to Open," a title borrowed from the assistive button found next to doors in public buildings. She offers strategies for "opening the door" to learning. Many of these strategies are "best practices" for all students, not just those on the autistic spectrum. Another well-known designation for this science-based idea is "Universal Design for Learning" (UDL). First up in the book are reviews of autistic spectrum disorder characteristics. Then Combs goes over the elements of UDL: the classroom environment; elements of instruction; using multiple means of representation, of expression, and of engagement; and a planning guide. An appendix presents many simple strategies grouped under headings such as "Creating Calming Sensory Input," and "Providing Frequent Movement Breaks." Annotation c2015 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)

Lisa Combs has 27 years of experience in the field of special education. Over the course of her career, she has taught students with a wide range of disabilities in both self-contained and inclusive settings. Additionally, she has supervised regional special education programs, taught at the university level, and has provided consultation and training for school personnel, public and private agencies, and families. She has her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Special Education from Ball State University, and has done additional graduate work in Educational Supervision through the University of Dayton, and in Behavioral Interventions for Autism through the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Her career long objective has been to create exceptional outcomes for individuals with disabilities in learning and in life.