Getting Beyond Bullying and Exclusion, PreK-5 : Empowering Children in Inclusive Classrooms

"This is the first text I′ve read that connected specific disabilities to bullying. The material is informative, relevant, and thought-provoking. A useful tool in understanding the evolution of a bully and the necessity of early, appropriate intervention."
—Karen Thomes, Early Childhood Special Educator
Indian Island School, ME

Help students with special needs develop skills for meeting the challenges of bullying!

Children with challenges can encounter difficulties in navigating their journeys within mainstream classrooms. This book focuses on the vulnerabilities of youngsters to be bullied, especially those with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, Asperger syndrome, and gifted abilities, and also discusses the tendencies for these children to become bullies.

Getting Beyond Bullying and Exclusion, PreK–5 deepens teachers′ understanding of common challenges and provides an intimate and realistic view of how children with special needs can become easy targets for bullies. The book also shows how adults can inadvertently facilitate development of victim behavior in children or contribute to the development of bully personalities. With an abundance of tried-and-true techniques for helping children manage emotions and build on their strengths, this book examines:

• Bullying styles, including classic male and female models
• How teachers can prevent and stop bullying
• Methods for intervening early before a negative dynamic progresses into middle or high school
• Strategies for working with overprotective parents
• A "90-Second-a-Day Self-Esteem Prescription Plan" to improve children′s self-views

Ideal for both teachers and counselors, this book increases the sensitivity and expertise that educators need to help children with special needs become more resilient and experience success at school.