Customer Reviews

A Land We Can Share: Teaching Literacy to Students With Autism

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A Land we can Share is directed primarily at educators and para professionals working with children with ASD to welcome then into the world of literacy.

My perspective is somewhat different. I am a parent of a 7 year old girl with ASD. We are currently in the throes of teaching our daughter to read (in collaboration with her teachers and therapists at school, of course). Whereas with my older children, the process of teaching them to read happened almost intuitively and naturally (on our part as parents), for our youngest the process has involved more effort. We have had to try more things, read more literature, consider different approaches, test more software programs and reader packages.

And much as parents really just want a simple solution, the instructional rigour of Paula's book is at once insightful, engaging and inspiring. It resonated with us, in that it delved in a practical and useful way into different literacy approaches, and provided examples and suggestions that we find useful, and that can be passed on to classroom teachers and reading assistants. But even more significant than its practical applications were the themes of approach and attitude that permeate the pages. Those messages are the catch cries of so many parents with children on the spectrum. We tell teachers, administrators, friends, onlookers - try different things; children are all different; just because something works for most kids doesn't mean there won't be a different approach that will help the rest of the kids, put aside judgment; practice real inclusion.

I would highly recommend this book (as well as Paula's other books) for parents. Read it. Practice it with your children. Pass it on to teachers and school administrators.

It takes some adaptation to the curriculum and some insights on the part of the reading instructors, but autistic students can be literate students. "A Land We Can Share: Teaching Literacy To Students With Autism" is the collaborative work of Paula Kluth (consultant, teacher, author, and advocate in Oak Park, Illinois) and Kelly Chandler-Olcott (Associate Professor, Syracuse University Reading and Language Arts Center, Syracuse, New York) and specifically designed to teach the teacher of an autistic student in grades K-12 how to implement researched-based practices in reading and writing instruction (including those consistent with Read First recommendations); plan effective lessons that build on their student's strengths, interests, and individual needs; design a classroom environment that promotes literacy learning for all students while addressing the individual needs of mainstreamed autistic students; assess students who do not (or cannot) show their literacy learning in tradition fashion; and how to include autistic students in a wide range of classroom literacy activities. Superbly co-written, organized and presented, "A Land We Can Share" is thoroughly 'user friendly' and should be considered essential reading for all teachers at the primary and secondary levels having to work with autistic students within a classroom environment.

If you are looking for answers to help your students diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum with literacy activities look no further. Paula Kluth and Kelly Chandler-Olcott have put together a valuable resource. Not only will the activities in this text help differentiate your curriculum for those students on the Autism Spectrum but also for those students who are considered neurotypical. The text is very user friendly with explanations of what you will see in the child diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, the components identified in a strong literacy program, straight-forward explanations of practices and approaches to use in developing your literacy program (both reading and writing), assessment strategies (so important today!), and help developing ideas to use in working with those students who have significant disabilities. Paula and Kelly use many testimonials by individuals that have experienced difficulties in the classroom and what helped them to make gains in the area of literacy. I couldn't believe the wealth of ideas to use (and their easy implementation) in the classroom. This is a MUST text!
Margaret Hartung (General Education Instructor)

Every college program devoted to sending qualified teachers out into the world should make "A Land We Can Share" a required reading. Kami Turner, Administrator of Special Programs

What a wonderful resource! I was inspired to try some new things in my classroom. All were successful and motivating for my students. I teach early childhood special education and it is always a struggle to keep my expectations high, yet attainable... I LOVE the premise "presume competence" that Paula and Kelly use throughout their work. That statement was a "nudge" to remind me that my students can always do more. I know that as long as I encourage them and offer them the necessary tools, they will succeed. I began using some of my augmentative communication devices (for the students that required more assistance) with some of my stories. WOW!!! Talk about interest level increasing! My students focused on the stories at hand AND all wanted to use the devices to `help' read the stories. THANKS for the great ideas!

lots of good tips- I like the part about how to adapt classroom structures like literature circles and read alouds

Loved it. I recommend this book for anyone touched by autism and have advised friends and family to buy it.

A wonderful resourse for all that work with children. As a teacher I plan to share this resource with all. Especially with my paraprofessionals so they can explore and apply the strategies to the daily routine. Great resource for all in education or child care.

This book is chock-full of helpful tips on differentiated instruction that will work with not just students with autism, but ALL students. Paula has written yet another masterpiece for all those who work with autism.

I highly recommend anything that Dr. Kluth has written. You will not be disappointed by her common sense thinking and practical tips for teaching.

As a teacher in a Blended Classroom with 8 identified students and 15 regular ed student, I find this book to be an invaluable resource for "how to" with all of my students. It has given me new ways and alternatives to access their comprehension. I highly recommend this book for parents, student teachers, inclusive education teachers as well as regular education teachers who are seeking ways for their students to be able to express their understanding of literature in a variety of ways.