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Published: November 2025
9781975509224
$37.95
Add to Cart
Publisher: Myers Education Press
6" x 9"Language: English
Adapt and Thrive: Strategies for Inclusive and Special Education is a compassionate, evidence-based guide for teachers, special educators, and caregivers supporting children with autism and sensory or behavioral challenges. Tara Cosco provides educators and caregivers with strategies to help each child flourish with dignity, joy, and confidence. Success begins with building strong relationships, understanding students’ strengths, interests, and what brings them joy. You’ll learn ways to determine the cause of challenging behaviors, then respond with motivation, engagement, and personalized support. Sensory needs are treated as essential, not optional: the book guides you in integrating movement and using visual and tactile tools so students feel safe, regulated, and understood. Emotional regulation is also central: with strategies like Zones of Regulation and restorative practices, the goal is equipping students with self-awareness and empathy rather than enforcing compliance.
Because every learner is unique in pace, style, level, and readiness, Adapt and Thrive offers flexible strategies. It emphasizes early intervention, providing communication tools, sensory accommodations, and emotional regulation strategies early to help prevent frustration, isolation, and shame. Practical, classroom-tested tools are woven throughout: reward charts, visuals, regulation strategies, and restorative conversation templates. Written with warmth, humility, and respect, this book celebrates the inherent worth and beauty of every child. If you want to build inclusive, compassionate classrooms where every learner is known, valued, and supported, this book will guide your way.
Adapt and Thrive can be adopted in a variety of classroom courses, including:
- Selected Topics in Special Education
- Advanced Studies in Special Education
- Policies and Procedures in Special Education
- Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education
- Advanced Assessment in Special Education
- Student Teaching in Special Education
- Instructional Strategies for Teaching Students with Disabilities
- Educational Planning for Exceptional Students
- Critical Issues in Education
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Behavior
Chapter 2. Autism
Chapter 3. Learning Differences
Chapter 4. Differentiation
Chapter 5. Tech Support
About the Author
Index
Reviews & Endorsements:
“Adapt and Thrive is an essential resource for educators and leaders striving to create inclusive classrooms where all students feel seen and supported. Dr. Cosco provides actionable strategies grounded in empathy and evidence-based practice. Her insights empower teachers to approach challenges with understanding, ensuring every learner has the opportunity to thrive.”
Jessica Driver, Graduation Coach at Jasper County High School
“Adapt and Thrive: Strategies for Inclusive and Special Education is a must read for any student, educator, or practitioner. In this compelling and easy-to-read book, Dr. Tara Cosco delivers a present gift wrapped for special education instructors. This book’s main gift provides practical and ready-to-use strategies to use with students with varying needs. Open this gift and read it; you will want to start trying some new strategies today!”
Greg Matthias, PhD, Associate Professor of Education and Program Director of MS Ed Online, University of Wisconsin-Stout
“Adapt and Thrive is a work focused clearly in view of the learners as individuals and not to be categorized by type. That context for methodology is then empowering each learner to use the disciplines for successful learning. Methods are designed for the needs of the learners and the facility of the educators. The focus is on providing steps to also lead to a better learning opportunity for all. The consideration of learning differentiation and assessment is for potential learner success. The context of the individual learner is a foundational factor in the methods included within.”
Dr. Karen H. Morgan, EdD.hc, Retired Professor
“Dr. Cosco’s book is an essential guide for educators committed to meeting every learner where they are. By linking together practical behavior supports and teaching strategies for learning differences with innovative educational technology, it offers a roadmap for true inclusivity. It’s a valuable resource for teachers who believe differentiation isn’t just good practice—it’s the basis of effective teaching.”
Jessica F. Simpson, PhD, Assistant Department Chair, Assistant Professor, Augusta University, College of Education & Human Development, Department of Teaching and Leading, University Hall, Augusta, GA
“Dr. Cosco succinctly and effectively synthesizes modern scholarship with proven strategies in a way that will help educators at all levels better understand how to create a classroom that works for every student. Further, the recommendations provided are seamlessly connected to Dr. Cosco’s own academic background and professional experiences and are incredibly applicable for both new and veteran teachers alike. This book can and should be read by teachers as it offers fantastic practical suggestions that can improve their practice and, subsequently, the experiences of countless students.”
Rory P. Tannebaum, PhD, Chair, Department of Teaching & Leading College of Education and Human Development, Augusta University