Product Description
Linda Hodgdon's new book provides a very practicalapproach to recognizing the complexity of behavior management forstudents with autism spectrum disorders and other students withcommunication and behavior challenges.Continuing the approach ofsupporting communication with visual strategies, this book is packedwith problem solving techniques.You will find zillions of samplesand examples of visual tools and strategies that have been usedeffectively to solve behavior problems.This is the second book inthe Visual Strategies series.It follows the same style and format asthe the bestselling Visual Strategies for Improving Communication.Itis another resource guaranteed to provide practical help for everyeducator or parent who faces students with behavior andself-management challenges. This book will delight you! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Solving Behavior Problemsin Autism
This is a helpful tool but a bit too wordy.If you are looking for the simple solution, there isn't one.But like I said, a very good tool and I'm finding it to be helpful with my child.

Behavior Assistance
Excellent book for teachers looking to solve problems for students with issues or to help isolate and curb behavior issues. The guide is easy to read and would be beneficial for educators and parents.

great book
easy to understand, practical strategies, insightful, reminds us that behavior is the way children communicate when they are frustrated or lack other communicative abilities...

Real help in addressing behavioral difficulties in autism
There are several books about behavior problems on the market, but this one deals specifically with the types of problems associated with autism. Besides explaining how to lessen these behavioral problems, this book teaches you to understand the root of the behavior which means you can apply your new found knowledge in endless ways.

This book is based a lot on using visual strategies to improve communication skills, understanding and self management. Their are clear and useful guidelines for everything like how to communicate "NO" and proper ways to express emotions.

My favorite chapters in this book are "Ten Keys to Becoming a Better Communication Partner" (I think we ALL can benefit from that!), "Seven Critical Communication Skills to Teach", and "Strategies to Help Students Control their Environments". The book is literally overflowing with great information and ideas.

Teachers, parents and caregivers will benefit greatly from the information contained in this book. I am grateful for the new approaches it has given me for improving my son's everyday life. (...)

Behavior Analysis
Linda Hodgdon's book, SOLVING BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN AUTISM, works for anybody dealing with another human being.You don't have to be a parent, teacher, or someone working with a special-needs person to see the value in Ms. Hodgdon's approach. People act out for a reason.Linda suggests you look at the circumstances before, during, and after a behavior before trying to deal with it.If you understand the person's motivation, concern, and expectations, you can better change, temper, or redirect the behavior.Added to this insight, Linda points out most special needs people's strengths and weaknesses.Then she clearly and concretely describes techniques using visual tools to help them communicate more effectively.Since most special needs people are visual-spacial learners rather than auditory students, Linda shows how to make, use, and facilitate visual tools, so these people can better understand, and thus, behave in society.Ms. Hodgdon's technique takes the use of visual tools beyond labeling, and she explains how to direct people's communication with visuals, so that they can function as normally as possible in the everyday world.When they understand the concept, they can communicate it, but in order to comprehend the idea, they must see it.Thus, if they can see, they can understand, then they can act accordingly. Linda shows this concept with the logo, WHEN I SEE IT...THEN I UNDERSTAND.Bad behavior may not be intentional, but if people don't understand what they hear or what others expect of them, their inappropriate actions may simply be a reaction rather than a controlled response. So logically, if you understand why people behave inappropriately, you can fix the problem not just react to it.SOLVING BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN AUTISM helps readers realize reason works better than reaction when dealing with human behavior especially with special needs people. ... Read more

Product Description
Video self-modelling (VSM) is a proven and effective method for teaching new or more advanced skills and behaviours to people with autism. The technique uses home-made videos (created by parents, teachers, or therapists) to demonstrate a desired behaviour. The key feature of any self-modelling video is that the person modelling the behaviour in the video is the same person watching the video. VSM allows a person with autism to see himself performing the very skill he is trying to learn. This is accomplished through careful editing and manipulation of video footage, transforming it into a cohesive teaching tool. And the process is a lot easier than you may think! This book begins with an overview of the research and science behind VSM and insights into why it is a particularly good teaching method for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. It then explains the process of making self-modelling videos from start to finish, including how to: choose the behaviour/skill to teach; conduct a task analysis; select and use camcorders and video software; storyboard video scenes; plan and shoot footage; transfer the video to a VCR, DVD, or computer; edit and manipulate the footage; and, keep track of and interpret data. These videos can teach or modify a wide variety of behaviours and skills, such as controlling tantrums, increasing the frequency and length of verbal responses, making requests, interacting with peers, and solving math problems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Ideas for Video use
Tom Buggey provides lots of detail about the logistics of using this method of intervention.I Googled Tom and found numerous related research articlessupporting his interventions. I have used video-modeling in the past but am eager to try it using his ideas.

A strong choice for any autism education collection
Video is a powerful tool that can teach and educate, and this is especially so for people with autism. "Seeing is Believing: Video Self-Modeling for People With Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities" is a guide to using videotape to teach children with autism. Autistic people can gain much from watching themselves doing many activities, and the amateur video production process is educational in and of itself. "Seeing is Believing" is a strong choice for any autism education collection. ... Read more

Product Description
Every year, 1 in every 100 children in America are diagnosed with autism. Although autism has reached epidemic proportions, it is far from understood. In 41 Things To Know About Autism, Chantal Sicile-Kira provides a clear, instructive explanation of autism. If you know someone with autism and would benefit from a quick, straightforward explanation of the condition, this book is for you. 41 Things explores questions such as:

What are the causes of autism? Can vaccines cause autism?


How can I recognize the symptoms of autism?


What are the emotional effects of autism on the family?


Why do children and teens with autism act the way they do?
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great gift for those who want to understand our kids
As the mother of two children with autism, who has been in the battle for more than a decade and probably read 100+ books on the topic, I can say that this one is a gem.Chantal knows her stuff, from educational advocacy to biomedical interventions.She has worked hard to understand autism from her son's perspective and shares those insights with us.In this book, she asks the important and difficult questions and gives us thoughtful, straight-forward answers.

For parents of a child with autism, this is a great gift for aides, teachers, relatives and friends because it will give them a better understanding of your child.No two children with autism are the same but there are many common challenges for them and their families.This book is a way to lay a foundation of understanding.

I highly recommend this book!

Great source with simple answers to complex questions!
As a psychology student and working with a young adult with autism I have to say this book is the best guide for both people familiar and unfamiliar with autism. I like this book because it gives simple answers to complex questions. Autism is really complicated and hard to explain to people, but this book is a good source for me to have about autism in general. People ask me things likewhy the young man I work with acts a certain way, or why transitionsare so difficult for him, what causes autism, orwhat the effects on the family are. I don't have all the answers, but this book does!! I recommend if for people in the community who want to know more about autism, or students studying psychology. It's really an easy reference book full of interesting information that creates a better understanding of autism. Highly recommend it!!!

Thanks Chantal - I want this one in my waiting room
Chantal Sicile Kira's new guide for understanding autism and related disorders is a clear-eyed opinion from a front line mother who has led her son and family through the jungle of diagnosis and intervention, despair and hope, while penning for the rest of us her experiences and offering easy to digest bite sized pieces of her hard fought wisdom.

The field of autism and autism intervention is full of controversy, and Chantal's experiences, opinions, and advice are bound to spark healthy discussion which in itself is a real strength of her writing. For those who know her, Chantal is more than a mom and writer.Chantal has become an effective community leader at local state and national levels in addressing the needs of people with autism, their families and the complex systems of intervention and education surrounding them, and this work lends a depth and breadth that distinguishes her books from other parent-written books on autism.

This is Chantal's view of things, from supporting parents to follow their instincts and advocate for their children to urging them to assess for themselves the many possible approaches to intervention.There are many pearls in this slim book.Among them, Chantal's piece on family stress gives families an opportunity to step back, think, and plan better for the many and varied challenges that come up with their children and with all the broader collateral challenges that emerge for nearly every family.

Throughout the book, Chantal looks at these challenges from many aspects: the family, people outside the family, and, always refreshing, from the point of view of the person with autism.Chantal's ability to share her awareness and respect for everyone involved is reason enough to buy this book.

Thanks, Chantal for this book and for all you do!

Josh Feder, MD
... Read more

Product Description
This excellent new manual and CD is geared towards helping the reader integrate important theories and concepts from ABA into powerful, practical and comprehensive educational programming, from assessment through program methodology and evaluation of results. Topic summaries, key concepts, question lists and references are found throughout the manual, along with reproducible data forms in order to organize and expedite program development.

The book and CD were designed specifically as a resource for special educators, parents, and program coordinators in various stages of organizing and implementing their ABA programs. Through clear language, illustrations, tables and real-life examples, the topics covered include basic ABA concepts; teaching formats; the principles, merits and clinical applications of discrete trials; incidental teaching; teaching language and social skills; inclusion; curriculum planning and evaluation, among many others.

The included CD-Rom, titled The Consultant’s Companion, allows you to select, organize and manage curriculum goals for individual students. Based on the curriculum described in A Work In Progress, this software features over 500 goals in 54 areas, allowing users to easily choose goals, maintain updated program lists and track mastered skills. Users can generate reports of present and mastered curriculum with the click of a button and create goal databases for any number of students. Easily learned and intuitive to use, this program helps keep the educational team organized and on-track. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A good overview of ABA therapy
A very well written book which is easy to read and is good value. I would recommend it be used in conjunction with " A Work in Progress" by Leaf and McEachlin to understand ABA therapy for Autism."The ABA Program Companion"book gives an overview of what ABA is, rather than a specific program. A "Work in Progress" gives a specific comprehensive program especially suited for a younger child.
As a parent (and qualified school teacher), I have used the book to give my son therapy whilst waiting for Professional Services to become available and found it most useful.
You may want to borrow a copy instead of buying it, if you are a parent as it mainly provides background information.

Absolutely Outstanding
Don't consider running a behavioural intervention program at home without this book. It is invaluable. ... Read more

Product Description
This easy-to-follow resource provides a complete toolbox of social skills and the means to attain them so that students may approach their futures with excitement rather than anxiety.Jed Baker tackles a wide variety of issues faced by individuals across the spectrum, such as perspective-taking, nonverbal communication skills, conversational skills, and stress management. He explains the laws and services that provide assistance, offers a multitude of options and resources, and encourages an emphasis on the students’ assets as tools for meeting social goals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

useful skill lessons
The latter half of the book has an entire section of mini-lessons devoted to useful topics - anger managment, coping with anxiety, dating etc.The ideas are shared clearly and concisely.I am using these with a young man who came to my office for counseling.

For High School and College
Dr. Jed Baker's book is very helpful to prepare young adults/teens with resume/interviewing skills to obtain jobs, and interact with different types of people, advocate for themselves.I can use it for my own 18 year old son with AS and with my clients in my psychotherapy practice.Worth the price.

Good but too focused on social issues.
The first chapters are great in this book but the vast majority is a teaching plan for communication problems.The information is good but not exactly what I wanted as my son is already in these types of programs at school and at home.Theses social things need to be introduced from the time the kids are very young because it takes so long for them to learn.Its a bit late to start when the kid is almost an adult.

Pretty Good
One of my sons is seeing a therapist & she has stated that she feels he has some traits of AS.Well, after looking into it more, it would seem that both of my sons do.They are 15 & 20 and both of them enjoyed this book & seeing their own traits along with the traits of other family members being pointed out.The good thing is that it also gave them insight into why other people respond to them the way they do.I think this book will help them both in relating to other people.This has been a very handy book for them.The only problem with this book is it can be pretty dry reading at times so they needed to take breaks in reading it some & this is from kids that really enjoy reading.

A necessary tool for social skills groups.
I use Dr. Bakers manuals and pictures books in my group practice, and find them to be an invaluable tool for social skills training. They are easy to use and address the areas of difficulty that many of my clients struggle with. I also share the skills sheets with my clients' teachers and other caregivers to promote genrealization of the skills.

The gains my clients have made by learning and using the skills are measueable. Dr. Baker's books are a necessary tool for any social skills trainging program. ... Read more

Product Description

Children With High-Functioning Autism: A Parent's Guide offers parents the information needed to help them cope with their child's autism and to navigate the path as they first perceive differences, seek assistance and treatment, and help their child develop into his or her full potential.

Customer Reviews (6)

a must read for parents
The author's candid account of her journey with her children helped me coped with my own dealings as a parent of autism.I recommended this book not only to my husband, but to my friends who have children with ADHD and low functioning autism.Her humor and honest approach can help any parent who is struggling with a special needs child.

Great Book ! Will be greatly helpful for every parent who has a child that doesnt fit in
I have two children. One who has been diagnosed with high functioning autism , and another that is more totally functional , but is pretty " weird " .

this book has been a godsend in understanding them both . and helping me to help them .

i can't tell you enough how much this book has helped me deal with these children . its been a blessing.

one on the most important books I've ever read.

plus its an easy funread

Great for Everyone: self- recognition
I'm a great fan of Dr. Claire Hughes-Lynch's book, "Children with High-Functioning Autism: A Parents Guide," and not because we have any diagnosed autism in our family.

This book describes characteristics of humanity that many of us have in common to different degrees. When autism is described as having a spectrum, i believe that we are all on that spectrum somewhere. So, if one learns more about the characteristics of kids with high-functioning autism, that person is actually just learning more about people in general and themselves in particular.

I have a hard time imagining that someone could read this whole book and NOT see a part of themselves reflected back.

This book has most importantly helped me make connections. I cannot count how many times I've thought as reading, "Hey I do that," or "Hey, that reminds me of so-and-so." The characteristics of what we call autism are characteristics we all share to varying degrees.

This book has helped me to understand myself, my friends and family, my students and the people around me much better- with more depth and humanity.

It has given me more empathy for the experiences of my friends with children "on the spectrum" and for friends with children with characteristics but not enough for a diagonosis.

The advice given in this book is great for all of us, not just families with a diagnosis because the the behaviors discussed are displayed by all of us to some extent.

The adviceis practical and accessible with plenty of real-life examples given from the author's own experiences.

Our national awareness of the gifts and challenges of "kids on the spectrum" is growing, but it's clear that there is a lot more dialogue, learning and exposure that needs to happen. Books like this one bring the dialogue home and make it relevant to our everyday lives.

Thanks to the author for providing such lucid insight about and such stellar examples from her own family and education.

Real advice from a Mom AND a Professional
The diagnosis is in. Your child has autism. After the tears, who do you turn to? The experts? Other parents? Who can truly know and understand how you feel? Your fears? Your pain?

The book "Children with High-Functioning Autism" by Dr. Claire Hughes-Lynch is written by a special education expert who is a mom of two young children- one of whom has high functioning autism, the other with autistic tendencies. Her insights are both personal and professional as she takes the reader along on her sometimes painful, often times joyful adventure in parenting two children with special needs.

The story is honest as she explores how the family dynamics change, the husband-wife relationship, schooling misadventures and successes, etc. It is a book of the heart and the head as she takes apart the gobbledy gook of acronyns and treatment options.

Dr Hughes-Lynch describes the book as a map of her personal journey in mothering and parenting. It is a map that will both comfort and inform, make you laugh and cry a bit as well as ease the loneliness of the word "autism" and expose some of its beauties.

Great guide for parents and educators affected by autism
This is a helpful book as told by a mother in the autism trenches, who also happens to be a highly trained educator.The story contains plenty of easily understood analogies and personal stories relating directly to each topic at hand and is presented in a conversational format.Parents of children with disabilities or any kind of disfunction need a support network, and this book could be your first step to finding one because the resource guide in the back of the book is worth the purchase price alone.I recommend this book! ... Read more

Product Description
This book, by a researcher who has been at the forefront of autism for a number of years, will draw together the theoretical and practical sides of the disorder, and will discuss, in plain and simple terms, the importance of diagnosis, intervention, and treatment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

An invaluable resource!
I am a behavior psychologist who does early intensive behavioral intervention (IEBI) with children who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD's) and I have found Dr. Thompson's book to be an invaluable resource. I regularly recommend this book to both professionals and families who care for children with ASD's.

This book is especially helpful for families who have recently received an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and are overwhelmed with absorbing the diagnosis, grieving the loss of their dreams for their child, and facing the pressure of deciding on treatment options. Dr. Thompson thoroughly explores IEBI and describes what family members can and cannot expect from the process. Additionally, he provides a frank discussion of family dynamics that facilitate or impede early intervention as well as problem behaviors that are commonly misinterpreted by family members. Dr. Thompson has the unique ability to present complex research findings in a manner that is clear, concise, and relevant. For example, his discussion of brain dysfunction in autism (Chapter 3) fosters an appreciation of the importance of early intervention and its possible effects on the brain. However; my favorite thing about this book is the table in Chapter 3 that summarizes autism interventions, the evidence for their effectiveness, and their possible effects on the core symptoms of autism. This table along with the final chapter (Cautionary Considerations for Parents and Practitioners) is worth the price of the book alone and I use them together often!

Finally, many of the families to whom I have recommended this book have commented on the depth, empathy, and respect evident in Dr. Thompson's writing. Dr. Thompson displays a deep understanding and appreciation of the emotional issues that arise during the diagnostic process and in choosing among the many treatment options available; and he does this while never losing sight of the facts. This is a very difficult thing for professionals to do when they are focused on their desire to build on a child's strengths in order to maximize his or her potential and to make every minute of skill training count. Dr. Thompson's book is a reminder that although researchers are making great strides in informing us about the causes and treatment of autism, we must never lose sight of the uniqueness of each person with an ASD and each family member supporting and encouraging that person's growth.

Useful book
Dr. Thompson is a true expert on autism and has put together a book to help people gain a better understanding of the disorder.It is a valuable resource for parents, and for teachers and clinicians who have the responsibility of helping families come to grips with a new diagnosis.I routinely recommend this to families and to professionals who are new to the autism field.Dr. Thompson takes knowledge gained from research, and combines it with his experience as a family member and a clinician to create a readable and useful resource.

Hats Off to Dr. Thompson!
For anybody on the spectrum and/or has a child who is on the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum, be sure to make this book a very close friend.This is a valuable resource tool.

Dr. Thompson writes in a clear, logical style and his frank approach will be welcomed by all.He discusses the diagnosis; the neuro-biological condition that autism is; drug treatment; early intervention; school and other related developmental conditions.Professionals also will want to make a place on their book shelves for this gem.

Dr. Thompson, himself the grandfather of a child with autism appears to have an excellent understanding of what this condition entails.He is able to see autism from an insider's perspective and I think he is sincere about wanting to help each person on the spectrum live a life of quality and dignity.Dr. Thompson and Dr. Attwood are the top contenders in a/A literature from the professional's point of view.Be sure to read this along with The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Dr. Attwood.

Wonderful!
This is a terrific book! I only wish I would have had the opportunity to read such an insightful, candid and thorough book when our son was diagnosed with autism three years ago.Dr. Thompson has written an easy-to-understand book that flows well and includes sections important to anyone with autism in their life.He explores diagnosis, families, early-intervention, school, pharmacology (this section is facinating!) co-existing and related conditions, etc.From a parent perspective, I like that he shared that his grandson has autism.I believe that he really "gets" what this is like from the inside out, and wants to help kids live the best life possible. I learned a lot, this is very current information, and Dr. Thompson presents it candidly yet thoughtfully.I read a lot of books about autism, and would certainly recommend this as a very worthwhile addition to your "autism collection". ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive five-step model addresses the need for social programming for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders by helping children identify the skills they need to form relationships and an intervention plan to help them acquire these skills. Instead of offering a single strategy, this book organizes the myriad social skills strategies and resources currently available to make it easier for parents and educational professionals to teach social skills and design social skills programs for children with ASD. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Excellent
Of the books I have read on the subject, this one listed my son's traits the most perfectly! It was such an excellent list, I highlighted those he struggles with the most, added notes, and lend it to his teachers in the beginning of the year every year. It really gives a clear picture of something that's often fairly abstract and hard for teachers to deal with at times, and helps them believe in the diagnosis.

a boarder line kid
It is really hard to find help for a child who is border line.He has social difficulties and several "asberger like" issues but doesn't have asbergers.He needs help recognizing, understanding social cues and proper behavior in social settings.I think there where parts of this book that was helpful and a few good exercises that we tried. I like the common sense approach this book takes to dealing with children with social issues.I also like the "through a child's eyes" prospective, what is socially appropriate behavior for adults doesn't apply to the playground.That is so true!The examples used are funny and made me laugh in an otherwise difficult part of our family life.

I did skip over several chapters because they didn't apply to our situation.For example there is a large part of the book that deals with how to tell if your child has social difficulties.We have seen 3 therapists and 2 pediatric neuropsychologists we understand his strengths and weaknesses so this part of the book was redundant for me.This is also the 3rd book I have read.The first few chapters help explain what are social difficulties are and how they affect your child and your family.If you are having trouble understanding why your child is having problems at school I think this would be helpful.

Building Social Relationships
I attended a workshop presented by author Scott Bellini. It was excellent and so is this book. Lots of hands on activities and forms you can use to help you identify social skills difficulties.Easy reading and well organized.

Very helpful and postive
This book is very helpful and positive.I really like books that are positive, and that tell you about solutions to problems.

As someone with Asperger's Syndrome myself, I know that if there had been books like this 30 years ago, I would have learned much earlier in life what things are appropriate to do and say in what situation. It's too bad that there were no books like this until very recent years!

A must have for clinicians, educators and parents
This was an enjoyable read and an extremely insightful publication. It is the most comprehensive book available for teaching social skills to children and adolescents on the autism spectrum. The book contains over 30 social skill strategies that can be implemented by educators, clinicians, and parents in variety of settings. The author also provides detailed information on how to assess social functioning and evaluate outcomes. A social skill checklist is included that is helpful in identifying specific social skill deficits and in developing social objectives. Perhaps most impressive, the author translates a complex conceptual framework into an understandable and useful social skills training model. This book gets my highest recommendation.

Robert Linhares, M.A.
Portland, OR ... Read more

Product Description
What causes autism? Is it a genetic disorder, or due to some unknown environmental hazard? Are we facing an autism epidemic? What are the main symptoms, and how does it relate to Asperger syndrome? Everyone has heard of autism, but the disorder itself is little understood. It has captured the public imagination through films and novels portraying individuals with baffling combinations of disability and extraordinary talent, and yet the reality is that it often places a heavy burden on sufferers and their families. This Very Short Introduction offers a clear statement on what is currently known about autism and Asperger syndrome. Explaining the vast array of different conditions that hide behind these two labels, and looking at symptoms from the full spectrum of autistic disorders, it explores the possible causes for the apparent rise in autism and also evaluates the links with neuroscience, psychology, brain development, genetics, and environmental causes including MMR and Thimerosal. This VSI also explores the psychology behind social impairment and savantism, and sheds light on what it is like to live inside the mind of the sufferer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

An Introduction to Autism
Autism is one of the most fascinating psychological conditions. It sprang to attention of many people, me included, with the wide success of the movie "Rain Man." Dustin Hoffman's brilliant portrayal of an adult with autism won him an Oscar, and created an idea in the minds of the general public of how an autistic individual behaves and interacts. However, the particular kind of autism that is portrayed in that movie is actually rather exceptional, and this condition comes in many different forms and degrees.

This very short introduction does a very good job of describing various forms that autism can take, and presents the reader with the typical behavioral patterns of a few chosen case study individuals with autism. It helps dispel many myths about autism, including the myth that all autistic individuals are capable of certain extraordinary intellectual feats in some very specific areas. Such autistic individuals are known as idiot savants, and constitute no more than 10% of all people with autism.

Autism has actually been considered a separate psychological condition for a relatively short time. Autistic individuals have of course always existed, but have generally been either miscategorized or more tragically ignored. A better way of diagnosing autism from the very early in child's development has helped many parents deal with such children from very early on. However, this increase in diagnosing autism has also sparked impressions that there are some environmental causes of this disease, of which the most frequently blamed culprit is the early childhood vaccination. This book is very adamant in pointing out that so far there has been no evidence for the environmental causes of autism. On the contrary - most reliable evidence indicates that there is a very strong genetic component in autism. Unfortunately, we still don't know what sort of genetic mechanisms are at play, or even what autism is on a very deep neurological level. There have been many speculations over the years, and this book presents most of the more plausible ones, with strengths and weaknesses of each one of those hypotheses. This might be the biggest weakness of this book - even though it aims to provide a solid basis for understanding of autism, too much of it is rather speculative. It could indeed be that autism is still such an unknown condition that we really don't know all that much about it. However, my impression is that more of the book could have been used for verified facts and the latest research. Overall, however, I feel that this is an important book to read for anyone who has even the most cursory interest in autism.

amazing ASD bok
I am currently reading this book for a graduate course at Sierra Nevada College......if you are interested in Autism...buy it....great info., history, case studies, and insights.Highly recommended.

Decent but slightly lightweight introduction to Autism
I am a fan of these "Very Short Introductions" by OUP, and own about a dozen of them. This introduction by Frith has the advantage of being written by one of the leading scholars in the field of autism. Its strength is that it is highly readable. However, I think that it is slightly lightweight in terms of the issues covered, and in comparison to some of the other "Very Short Introductions" I've read, many of which go into quite a bit of sophisticated detail (the one on Kant, for example!). I wonder how much real insight one is going to get from this book beyond what is available elsewhere (even for free on-line). I suppose part of the problem is that the intended audience is likely a mix of parents/caregivers with autistic children and scholars/students of autism in various fields like psychology. I still think that even the former readership would prefer more detail and scholarship, which Frith could certainly provide.

I also own Frith's edited volume "Autism and Asperger's Syndrome" and while it is old and perhaps slightly out of date (1992) I found it much more engaging and interesting. I would highly recommend that book for people interested in more scholarship on questions related to autism and other ASD.

Full of Very Informative and Easy to Understand Explanations!
Quite embarrassingly, I didn't know so much about autism itself before I dealt with this tremendous guide. Although it doesn't have so many pages, I found it very informative and useful. Especially, I'm intrigued by Dr. Frith's explanations on the follows:
1. What neurotypical means
2. Weak central coherence
I wasn't quite sure what the prefix, neuro- means though neurotypical (NT) is one of the key words on autism/Asperger's. Sure thing, I couldn't find the word even in my dictionary. I mean, I could manage to guess it might mean the opposite to people with developmental impairments. However, I didn't quite catch why. I felt like I could clear up my haze when I found out Dr. Frith says neuro- definitely means the brain. "I guessed right! Neurotypical shows the brain works normally or typically." - That's what I exactly thought!

I realized central coherence is crucial for neurodevelopment. People with strong central coherence can see the whole point, while those with weak one tend to dwell on parts. So I suppose some autistic people have such weak central coherence that they tend to be perfectionists, which makes life more stressful. Positively, they seem to know the details pretty well. In my case, I was incredibly good at kanji (Chinese characters) in my childhood. But the trouble was that I was horrible at comprehending the whole sentence. And I suspected that slowed communication skills. The thing is people with weak central coherence find it so hard to catch the whole content they often tend to miss what matters most.

Overall, this autism guide is suitable if you would like to know the difference between NT's and people with autism/Asperger's with regard to neurodevelopmental psychology.

A most important book on autism (but not a self help manual)
I got interested in autism/Asperger's in 2003 after hearing an NPR interview on Autism (i.e. the growing rates of autism in Silicon Valley and Sacramento). I realized that Asperger's Syndrome must have been what was wrong with a manager I worked for a few years earlier at a major aerospace company (up until this point I thought he was just a jerk with a PhD). I then read a couple of articles in Wired magazine on the Geek Syndrome which really motivated me to do some extensive reading on the subject. Then I ran across Firth's book "Autism: Explaining the Enigma".

Of all of the books and articles I have read to date on autism this book is the finest introduction to the subject for those who are interested in what autism is and is not. Anyone with an ounce of intellectual curiosity will find this a highly rewarding book, however, if you are looking for a "how to" book on curing or helping someone with autism you will be disappointed. This book provides insight not answers.

What Firth tries to address in this book is identifying what the essence of Autism is.This is extremely important since many of the characteristic features of autism show up in other disorders which are not autism. Firth has a very high clarity of thought in her effort to identify what is and isn't the essence of autism. For example, while mental retardation is very common in autism (>75% according to some accounts), it is not the characteristic that makes someone autistic, since there are mentally retarded individuals who are not autistic.

What I really like about Firth's book is not only her clarity of thinking but the quality of intellectual honesty in dissecting the autism question. This is not to say that she has the last word on this topic - I think she would be the first to admit this - but rather that she has done the best job to date of sorting out the research and models of autism that have been proposed up to the date of her book.

The book is noteworthy for its readability. One does not need a graduate degree in psychology or cognitive science to read it. And Firth has done an excellent job of making this read an interesting subject through out the book. All said, I give this book a solid A rating.
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Product Description
What causes autism? Is it a genetic disorder, or due to some unknown environmental hazard? Are we facing an autism epidemic? What are the main symptoms, and how does it relate to Asperger syndrome? Everyone has heard of autism, but the disorder itself is little understood. It has captured the public imagination through films and novels portraying individuals with baffling combinations of disability and extraordinary talent, and yet the reality is that it often places a heavy burden on sufferers and their families. This Very Short Introduction offers a clear statement on what is currently known about autism and Asperger syndrome. Explaining the vast array of different conditions that hide behind these two labels, and looking at symptoms from the full spectrum of autistic disorders, it explores the possible causes for the apparent rise in autism and also evaluates the links with neuroscience, psychology, brain development, genetics, and environmental causes including MMR and Thimerosal. This VSI also explores the psychology behind social impairment and savantism, and sheds light on what it is like to live inside the mind of the sufferer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

An Introduction to Autism
Autism is one of the most fascinating psychological conditions. It sprang to attention of many people, me included, with the wide success of the movie "Rain Man." Dustin Hoffman's brilliant portrayal of an adult with autism won him an Oscar, and created an idea in the minds of the general public of how an autistic individual behaves and interacts. However, the particular kind of autism that is portrayed in that movie is actually rather exceptional, and this condition comes in many different forms and degrees.

This very short introduction does a very good job of describing various forms that autism can take, and presents the reader with the typical behavioral patterns of a few chosen case study individuals with autism. It helps dispel many myths about autism, including the myth that all autistic individuals are capable of certain extraordinary intellectual feats in some very specific areas. Such autistic individuals are known as idiot savants, and constitute no more than 10% of all people with autism.

Autism has actually been considered a separate psychological condition for a relatively short time. Autistic individuals have of course always existed, but have generally been either miscategorized or more tragically ignored. A better way of diagnosing autism from the very early in child's development has helped many parents deal with such children from very early on. However, this increase in diagnosing autism has also sparked impressions that there are some environmental causes of this disease, of which the most frequently blamed culprit is the early childhood vaccination. This book is very adamant in pointing out that so far there has been no evidence for the environmental causes of autism. On the contrary - most reliable evidence indicates that there is a very strong genetic component in autism. Unfortunately, we still don't know what sort of genetic mechanisms are at play, or even what autism is on a very deep neurological level. There have been many speculations over the years, and this book presents most of the more plausible ones, with strengths and weaknesses of each one of those hypotheses. This might be the biggest weakness of this book - even though it aims to provide a solid basis for understanding of autism, too much of it is rather speculative. It could indeed be that autism is still such an unknown condition that we really don't know all that much about it. However, my impression is that more of the book could have been used for verified facts and the latest research. Overall, however, I feel that this is an important book to read for anyone who has even the most cursory interest in autism.

amazing ASD bok
I am currently reading this book for a graduate course at Sierra Nevada College......if you are interested in Autism...buy it....great info., history, case studies, and insights.Highly recommended.

Decent but slightly lightweight introduction to Autism
I am a fan of these "Very Short Introductions" by OUP, and own about a dozen of them. This introduction by Frith has the advantage of being written by one of the leading scholars in the field of autism. Its strength is that it is highly readable. However, I think that it is slightly lightweight in terms of the issues covered, and in comparison to some of the other "Very Short Introductions" I've read, many of which go into quite a bit of sophisticated detail (the one on Kant, for example!). I wonder how much real insight one is going to get from this book beyond what is available elsewhere (even for free on-line). I suppose part of the problem is that the intended audience is likely a mix of parents/caregivers with autistic children and scholars/students of autism in various fields like psychology. I still think that even the former readership would prefer more detail and scholarship, which Frith could certainly provide.

I also own Frith's edited volume "Autism and Asperger's Syndrome" and while it is old and perhaps slightly out of date (1992) I found it much more engaging and interesting. I would highly recommend that book for people interested in more scholarship on questions related to autism and other ASD.

Full of Very Informative and Easy to Understand Explanations!
Quite embarrassingly, I didn't know so much about autism itself before I dealt with this tremendous guide. Although it doesn't have so many pages, I found it very informative and useful. Especially, I'm intrigued by Dr. Frith's explanations on the follows:
1. What neurotypical means
2. Weak central coherence
I wasn't quite sure what the prefix, neuro- means though neurotypical (NT) is one of the key words on autism/Asperger's. Sure thing, I couldn't find the word even in my dictionary. I mean, I could manage to guess it might mean the opposite to people with developmental impairments. However, I didn't quite catch why. I felt like I could clear up my haze when I found out Dr. Frith says neuro- definitely means the brain. "I guessed right! Neurotypical shows the brain works normally or typically." - That's what I exactly thought!

I realized central coherence is crucial for neurodevelopment. People with strong central coherence can see the whole point, while those with weak one tend to dwell on parts. So I suppose some autistic people have such weak central coherence that they tend to be perfectionists, which makes life more stressful. Positively, they seem to know the details pretty well. In my case, I was incredibly good at kanji (Chinese characters) in my childhood. But the trouble was that I was horrible at comprehending the whole sentence. And I suspected that slowed communication skills. The thing is people with weak central coherence find it so hard to catch the whole content they often tend to miss what matters most.

Overall, this autism guide is suitable if you would like to know the difference between NT's and people with autism/Asperger's with regard to neurodevelopmental psychology.

A most important book on autism (but not a self help manual)
I got interested in autism/Asperger's in 2003 after hearing an NPR interview on Autism (i.e. the growing rates of autism in Silicon Valley and Sacramento). I realized that Asperger's Syndrome must have been what was wrong with a manager I worked for a few years earlier at a major aerospace company (up until this point I thought he was just a jerk with a PhD). I then read a couple of articles in Wired magazine on the Geek Syndrome which really motivated me to do some extensive reading on the subject. Then I ran across Firth's book "Autism: Explaining the Enigma".

Of all of the books and articles I have read to date on autism this book is the finest introduction to the subject for those who are interested in what autism is and is not. Anyone with an ounce of intellectual curiosity will find this a highly rewarding book, however, if you are looking for a "how to" book on curing or helping someone with autism you will be disappointed. This book provides insight not answers.

What Firth tries to address in this book is identifying what the essence of Autism is.This is extremely important since many of the characteristic features of autism show up in other disorders which are not autism. Firth has a very high clarity of thought in her effort to identify what is and isn't the essence of autism. For example, while mental retardation is very common in autism (>75% according to some accounts), it is not the characteristic that makes someone autistic, since there are mentally retarded individuals who are not autistic.

What I really like about Firth's book is not only her clarity of thinking but the quality of intellectual honesty in dissecting the autism question. This is not to say that she has the last word on this topic - I think she would be the first to admit this - but rather that she has done the best job to date of sorting out the research and models of autism that have been proposed up to the date of her book.

The book is noteworthy for its readability. One does not need a graduate degree in psychology or cognitive science to read it. And Firth has done an excellent job of making this read an interesting subject through out the book. All said, I give this book a solid A rating.
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Product Description
This best practice guide offers a balance of conceptual, practical and empirical information designed to bridge the research-to-practice gap in identifying, assessing, and treating school-aged children with autism-related conditions. Assessment tools and intervention strategies will support school-based professionals in: identifying and assessing young people with high-functioning autism spectrum conditions; developing and implementing classroom-based intervention programs; initiating a dialogue between parents and teachers; accessing community resources; and, promoting special needs advocacy. This authoritative, yet accessible guide will appeal to teachers, counselors, psychologists, social work practitioners and graduate students, as well as parents.

"This is a veryimportant book....a landmark contribution destined to become a classic in the field of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)."  
- Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Editor-in-Chief, Autism Spectrum Quarterly

"School district administrators, attorneys, educatorsand psychologists will want to have this guide available to them as a resource on 'best practices' in the field of ASD."
- DianeAdreon, Associate Director, University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD).

"This impressive contribution to the literature on autism andAsperger syndrome is really several reference books in one, providing detailed and expert discussion of key aspects of best practice on screening, assessment, and intervention."  - Richard Mills, Director of Research, National Autistic Society (NAS), United Kingdom

"...a valuable resource that provides best practicerecommendations for the assessment and treatment of children and youth on thespectrum."  - Sean Cameron, PhD, FBPS, Co-Director,  Practitioner Doctorate in Educational Psychology, University College London, United Kingdom                            

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Customer Reviews (1)

A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Schools
As a practicing school psychologist, I found Dr. Lee Wilkinson's book to be an ideal practitioner guide to screening, assessment, and intervention for students with ASD. The chapters are extremely well written and cover topics such as screening, comprehensive developmental assessment, evidence-based treatments, educational planning, positive behavior support, and social skills interventions. The text includes helpful appendices and real-world case examples to illustrate best practice. "A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Schools" is certain to be used widely as an indispensable reference tool on the desks of school psychologists, speech/language pathologists, special educators and other school-based practitioners.

Angelo J DeSimone Ed.D, NCSP, Lead School Psychologist, Palm Beach County School District, Fl. Adjunct Instructor School Psychology Program NOVA Southeastern University, Fl. ... Read more

Product Description
This book describes teaching strategies and instructional adaptations which promote communication and socialization in children with autism. It offers specific strategies that capitalize on the individual strengths and learning styles of the autistic child. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Essential for all educators of children with PDD
This book provides clear, easy to use strategies for teaching and communicating with children on the autism spectrum. The author's contend that behavioral problems exhibited by children with autism are most often the result of frustration that comes from their inability to communicate effectively. Behavioral problems can be successfuly addressed by focusing on what the child is trying to communicate.Rationale for the strategies suggested is provided.I recommend this book for educators and parents.

Easy to implement methods for enhancing play skills
There are so many books on autism and not all are applicable to our family's situation.I tend to read a library copy before purchasing.When it came time to return this book, I decided that this was one for ourpersonal library.It's easy to read and I will refer to it over and over. Methods are easy to understand and implement.As a parent of an autisticchild, it's one of the few books I've felt that will be invaluable.

Fabulous book for anyone working with children with autism
This book is a wonderful resource for learning how to approach children with autism. It is very easy to read and deals with a variety of different methods that can be used to deal with just about any level on the autisticspectrum.As a speech therapist working with variety of children withautism, I continually return to this resource to help plan my assessmentsand intervention. It is an excellent resource that addresses communication,play, pragmatics, parent desires, and self-control at a variety of levels. The chapters that deal with specific areas, such as enhancing socialcommunicative interactions, often provide you with the necessary paperworkfor assessment and/or intervention in the appendix.This is a must buybook!I would highly recommend this book to anyone working with childrenwith autism.

Most useful book if you are working with a child with Autism
This is the best book to own if you are working with a child with anAutistic Spectrum Disorder(ASD). It is amazing how much the editors fitinto this little book. The overall philosophy of the book is towards aneclectic approach to ASD.It presents many different ideas from differentpeople, all of which could be added to a program, method, approach for aparticular child. If you are dogmatic about one method, this is not thebook for you. The book starts out with several chapters looking into whatwe know about autism, a Temple Grandin chapter on what it is like to haveautism and a Charles Hart chapter on what parents want (required readingfor educators!). Then there arechapters on enhancing communication innonverbal children,echolalic, and verbal children. These chapter are byPrizant, Rydell, Twachtman . Then there are a bunch of chapters onstrategies for social stuff. Carol Gray wrote one chapter on socialstories. This book is readable, full of ideas. I hope the authors plan tokeep the book fresh with a new edition in a few years. As a parent of achild with ASD, I own two copies, and lend out the second to others whowork with my son. ... Read more

Product Description
This global exploration of autism by an award-winning scientist--and father of an autistic child--shows that an apparent "epidemic" signals surprising new promise for better diagnosis and treatment.

When anthropologist Richard Grinker's daughter was diagnosed with autism in 1994, it occurred in only about 1 in every 10,000 children. Within ten years, rates had skyrocketed, and the media was declaring autism an epidemic. Unstrange Minds documents Grinker's quest across the globe to discover the surprising truth about why autism is so much more common today. Grinker shows that the identification and treatment of autism depends on culture just as much as on science. Filled with moving stories and informed by the latest science, Unstrange Minds is a powerful testament to a father's quest for the truth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

OMG I loved this book!!
I bought a copy of Roy Grinker's "Unstrange Minds" when I heard him speak at the Centers for Disease Control. I have a daughter who has PDD-NOS and this book helped me become her biggest supporter as well as her biggest defender. I have had people tell me that it was (my fault) that my child had Autism because maybe I ate too much mercury laced fish or because I got her vaccinated or fed her gluten. Dr. Grinker lays it out that the so called Autism Epidemic is really finding a better definition for Autism that included the high functioning parts of the spectrum. Another thing that stuck in my mind in regards to my daughter is his quote (please excuse it if it is paraphrased), "I don't compare my daughter to typical kids her age, I compare her to where she was and where she is now and I am so impressed with her progress.." A definite read if you have a child on the spectrum.

Unstrange minds
i never received this book and many attempts to contact seller were unsuccessful. i will NEVER do business with this seller again and have advised my friends and teacher coworkers to do the same.. HORRIBLE customer service

Unstrange Minds
The best part of this book was the extensive history of the diagnosis of autism.I have a 28 yr old son with Asperger's Syndrome and experienced quite a bit of that history first-hand but seeing the whole picture was still helpful and informative.It puts into perspective the current "epidemic" of autism and, alone, is worth the price of the book.The author's personal experience with raising an autistic daughter, while interesting, wasn't as compelling as other acclunts I have read.I was particularly looking forward to his perspective on autism in other cultures as he is an anthropologist.While the anecdotes in this part of the book were fun to read, there was almost none of the academic rigor that I was hoping for.I look forward to reading THAT book when he writes it.

unstrange minds
Unstrange Minds is a wonderful book.Especially the part that tells you how other countries are dealing with Autism.Autism has been around for centuries.It is not caused by vaccines anymore than Cerebral Palsy or Tourette's.We must find positive ways for dealing with the problems it causes and make the best of it.

Added to my list of favorite books.
Being a parent of an autistic little boy, I am very interested it what is said and how others view this way of experiencing the world.

In this book, we're taken through history, around the world and through Mr Grinker's and his daughter's own journeys. The book is a smooth read and very thorough, I just couldn't put it down.

With all the negative speculations in the media in regards to Autism, we need a book like this. Despite everything I've read or seen on the news that speaks so harshly of ASD, I am seeing alot of positive changes in the 'real' world, too (including many people's attitudes towards the autistic community). It is a slow, but ongoing process. I certainly hope it lasts... ... Read more

Product Description
Good news for parents of special- needs kids: a proven approach to everyday meals that fosters learning and development.

Any parent of a child with autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or other developmental disabilities knows that special-needs kids often have food sensitivities and can be very fussy eaters. Plus, they’ve been told to avoid such common ingredients as gluten and casein, making it even harder to give them the balanced, healthy meals all children need.

Now, Judy Converse, a registered, licensed dietitian, offers new advice and guidance on how to use food as an essential tool for development. Based on the latest research, Special-Needs Kids Eat Right includes:

• Simple substitutions that can be easily customized to suit any child’s needs
• Advice for helping the whole family—along with school staff and caregivers—adjust and take part
• Strategies and tips for staying on track at restaurants, holiday gatherings, school parties and lunches, and overcoming obstacles
• Shopping and resource guides
• A long-term program for measuring progress and making adjustments ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

A Good, Structured Plan for Improving Diet and Nutritional Health
There is so much information out there about nutrition, supplements, biomed, etc for autism and sensory kids that it is hard to know where to begin.This book gives a good explanation for all of them, but in a way that is structured and scientific.It is easy to want to throw supplements at the problem and hope for miracles, but you really should start with covering the child's nutrition needs and digestive system first.If that is not in order, supplements and diets may not be as effective and you may be wasting time, money, and effort.

Excellent Information!
I debated about going GFCF with my 5 year old for a couple of years. If I had read this book, I would have started much sooner! Excellent information about different types of kids and different types of eaters. I could identify my son by her descriptions. We are now 6 weeks into GFCF and are seeing solid improvement from him. This is a must read for anyone starting or debating about this diet.

Fantastic resource - I am executing the well-laid out plan
This book is great for those who are convinced diet/GI tract is partly the matter, but for whom dietary adjustments alone have not worked.While my son is indeed over the top when he has days with more "bad" items from other ASD diet lists, the dietary adjustments did not change the underlying challenges.The step-by-step approach is logical and essential for getting to the bottom of the behavioral drivers.I am at the beginning of my journey with the recommendations in the book, and am confident we will find out the GI changes needed to help our son be successful.Clearly, we need to work on the direct behavioral and physical therapy end of things as well... but one can only beat their head against this wall for so long before seeking a more successful, integrated solution.

Judy's book is like talking with an old friend
This book a must is for anyone who has attempted Biomedical Interventions for health issues in their children and has not gotten the results they were expecting.Judy's explanations demystify and explain what frazzled parents can do to help their children thrive and flourish.

A comprehensive resource for parents, and professionals who work with children
Judy Converse, nutritionist and author of Special-Needs Kids Eat Right:Strategies to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum Focus, Learn and Thrive, is on the forefront of a movement that treats childhood mental illnesses by addressing the health of children's digestive systems.In the book, she discusses the current gap in our medical system that overlooks the nutritional needs of children with sensory processing disorder, autism, Asperger's, ADHD, learning and mood disorders.The science and practice of helping children with bowel and nutrition problems is not new, she says.The new part is recognizing that children in the groups above usually have inadequate diets or undiagnosed GI problems that can benefit from nutrition therapy.

Unfortunately, this connection is often lost because most kids do not see a dietitian or nutritionist.They see a pediatrician who has been trained to treat patients with pharmaceutical drugs, and not nutrition.For example, she describes toddlers who have stopped growing, or whose growth slowed so much they fell beneath the 5th percentile for their age, who are prescribed growth hormone shots by their doctors, overlooking the basic question of whether the children have the tools to properly digest and absorb nutrients.Or, children with mental health problems who are referred to a neurologist, psychologist or other mental health professional who views the illness as only brain related.Consequently, most children without obvious GI problems don't get a referral to a dietitian or nutritionist.Yet many have GI problems that go under the radar of their parents and pediatricians.

The signs of compromised nutritional status vary from child to child, and may include:

frequent diarrhea, irritable mixed stools, bloating, reflux
colic in babies
poor picky appetite
heightened sensory irritability (light, sound, touch)
eczema, rashes
frequent infections
asthma
anxiety, mood issues, irritability
growth problems
dyslexia
seizure disorders
ADHD
autism
incontinence in a previously potty trained child
persistent sleep problems
pallor with allergic shiners under the eyes
headaches and migranes

Undiagnosed food sensitivities, allergies and intolerances can be part of the problem, affecting both growth and behavior.Converse discusses signs and symptoms in babies and children, formulas to try for breastfeeding babies, and when ELISA (IgG), RAST (IgE) testing, or the use of an elimination diet, is appropriate and useful. She discusses what to do if your child is reactive to multiple foods, testing for nutrient deficiencies, and other available diagnostic tools.

You can learn more about nutrition care at Judy Converse's website.Her book outlines a seven step process for assessing and treating a child's nutrition problems, and has a wealth of information on growth assessment, supplements, lab tests and diet.This book is a must read for parents who have a child with any of the aforementioned problems.Pediatricians and professionals who treat children with mental health issues can use the book to help determine when a nutrition referral is appropriate. It is also an important resource for school administrators, counselors and special education teachers who can provide it as resource material for parents.

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Product Description

Broadened public awareness of autism and other associated spectrum disorders, combined with continuing research, means that more students than ever before are being identified with these disabilities. This book is an excellent resource for any teacher working with students who have ASD because it discusses how to identify and describe individuals with autism spectrum disorder, develop effective programs, create contexts for instruction, accommodate sensory issues, use applied behavior analytic instructional strategies and program for challenging behavior. Separate chapters are devoted to communication, socialization, academic skill acquisition and non-academic environments.  Information on the use of technology is infused throughout the book and makes this an invaluable reference for educators.

Customer Reviews (3)

Decent autism text
I used this text in one of my graduate classes, and it was very useful. Here are the brief contents:
1. Identifying and Describing Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
2. Historical Perspectives and Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders
3. Collaborating to Develop Effective Programs
4. Creating Contexts for Instruction
5. Accommodating Sensory Issues
6. Using Applied Behavior Analytic Instructional Strategies
7. Programming for Challenging Behavior
8. Encouraging Communication and Verbal Behavior
9. Enhancing Socialization and Social Competence
10. Promoting Academic Skill Acquisition
11. Organizing Instructional Opportunities in Nonacademic Environments
Throughout the book (and wrapped up in the epilogue) is the fictional story of Ms. Harris, a new college graduate who is learning to teach students with autism. I think those features helped provide real-life context for the content in the text.

All that said, I don't think it was the best autism text I've used. I would recommend Autism: Teaching Does Make a Difference over this one. This one isn't bad, though; the other one is just better and more comprehensive.

Really Bad Shipping
When I ordered the book, I was told I would receive it in 7 days.It took 15 days. I received it AFTER I had already finished taking the class that it was for, so I was very disappointed and I did not have the information I needed for my class, so it affected my grade and learning experience.

Excellent book perfect for class!!
This book is very well written, with all the info needed for my class.I would recommend this book for anyone who works with or is a parent of an autistic individual. ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive textbook of autism spectrum disorders, the first of its kind, is designed to meet the growing need for cutting-edge research and treatment information for clinicians who encounter patients and clients with these disorders in their practice - not just psychiatrists, but psychologists, social workers, speech therapists, and educators - and for parents who seek to understand their children's disorders and treatment options. The editors have assembled some of the foremost experts in each disorder, as well as in genetics, pharmacology, pathophysiology, neurology, neuroimaging, and other fields that contribute to our understanding of autism spectrum disorders. The book features exhaustive coverage of the established approaches, but also explores alternative and experimental therapies in-depth. By so doing, the editors hope to establish a benchmark for understanding autism on a number of levels, with knowledge that is both broad and deep. More patients are diagnosed with autism, and at earlier ages, than ever before, and these patients and their families receive services in increasingly diverse settings.Destined to become a classic, the "Textbook of Autism Spectrum Disorders" is the volume for which patients, families, and clinicians have been waiting. ... Read more

Product Description
...this two part work gives you intervention tactics & a complete program for implementing them in one easy to use format... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

A MUST HAVE!!!
After reading countless books on the topic of autism, I finally found a book that is both easy to read and practical. I have a young nonverbal child with autism. Most other books out there are either too technical for a parent, or not practical enough. This book helps me understand his disorder and gives me tangible ways to cope with his behavior. It is almost like a "curriculum" that you can follow.

Great book with concrete advise, terrible cover!!!
My 3-year-old son has high-functioning autism. Unfortunately, an ABA therapy is impossible to get for him where we live, so he gets "normal" therapy once a week (which isn't enough) and I decided to try the program at home. I read a couple of books so far but this has by far the best, most concrete program to work with the child. There are detailed lists of skills to accomplish step-by-step. Many autistic children can't learn by imitating, so you have to teach them one skill after the other, but where to start? Finally, there is a book every parent can work with, even if we are no therapists. Every topic is covered, from gross and fine motoric skills to everyday tasks such as toilet training, dressing and eating. The author also tells you how to work with the child in "training sessions", going slowly and teaching small steps at a time, so the child will have a feeling of success and won't be frustrated.
But please - publisher - who on earth decided to put such a depressing cover on this book? Lonely-looking children in deepest blue? Just looking at it makes me so sad I almost didn't buy the book which is really great in every other aspect.
"More than Words" by Fern Sussman (another must-have-book, in my opinion) makes you feel better instantly with its illustrations. Parents of children with autism need a bit of encouragement and "happy colors", publishers! ;-)

Great Tool for Teachers and Parents
I use this book to plan for new students, IEP goals, and to make sure we're on track.

this book is awesome!
this is a must have for anyone working with children with autism. the goals and objectives are very functional and written in a way that are simple and easy to implement. this is a resource that you will actually USE and won't collect dust on your book shelf!

Surpassed my expectations
As a new ABA provider for students with autism, I found this book to be invaluable.It was recommended by several of my supervisors.This book is clearly organized and is presented in language that is understandable and concise.After reading this book, I believe that parents and educators alike should purchase this book.There are some great teachniques and strategies for bedtime, toilet training, compliance, ect.Parents with children that are typically developing would also benefit greatly from this book. ... Read more

Product Description
TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped Children) has grown over the past three decades from a small clinic for children to an internationally recognized treatment and support modality for individuals of all ages with autism spectrum disorders. In The TEACCH Approach to Autism Spectrum Disorders, the program's founders and their colleagues explain its methods and philosophy based on an understanding and respect for ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent resource for cited material
This is an excellent resource for cited research on autism, in addition to being very informative on the TEACCH program.

A Book in review
This is an excellent resource for understanding the philosophy of the treatment orientation known as TEACCH.As you read, you realize just how deeply committed these people are to partnerships with people with ASD and their families.Theirs is not a doctor/patient relationship, but is rather a cooperative effort in which each person appreciates and builds on the other's strength.In this sense, autism becomes more a particular way of looking at the world than a disability; that is, people with autism are supported through an understanding of their strengths and not their difficulties.TEACCH looks at what is possible, not what can never be because of a diagnostic label.Well written, thoroughly researched and an easy read.I recommend it highly.

the TEACCH approach
I found this book very helpful in understanding and appreciating the TEACCH approach. It is clearly written and easy to read and a great place to start.

Good Book
When working with children with Autism, it is good to know all methods available. I know I like to take a little from each method. This method has some great ideas. Check it out.

What a wonderful resource!
I found this book useful on so many different levels. First, as a teacher of students with autism and related conditions, there were so many ideas to try. Second, as a parent of an adolescent on the spectrum, I found the sections on adults very informative. Mesibov is one of those rare professionals that takes into account the perspectives of those on the autism spectrum. This book not only recognizes individuality, but celebrates it! Truly one of the most helpful books I have come across! ... Read more

Product Description
My friend Zack has a disability called autism. But that doesnt matter to us. We talk about airplanes, build models, and enjoy hanging out at each others house. Im glad Zack is my friend! ... Read more