"While the main purpose of this book is to report on my research, ultimately this book is about more than facilitated communication. It is about what I have come to call the FC culture--that sociopolitical phenomenon in which unanimity of thought and philosophy has created a class of believers whose 'sacred' mission is not only to advance the cause of facilitated communication but also to disparage the opposition. It is also about the far-reaching effects that occur when common practice disassociates itself from common sense and when ethics and responsibility fall victim to a passion to believ... View More...
Usually diagnosed in childhood, Asperger syndrome is a lifelong social disorder characterized by a lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one-sided conversations, clumsy movements, and intense absorption in special interests. While Asperger syndrome has received increasing attention from researchers, clinicians, educators, and parents in recent years, numerous central questions about the disorder remain unanswered. This groundbreaking volume brings together preeminent scholars and practitioners to offer a definitive statement of what is currently known about Asperger syndrome and... View More...
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that allows a unique window on the relationship between mind and brain. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication as well as repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. The consensus of this disorder for everyday life adaptation are extremely variable. Studies indicate that the number of diagnosed cases of Autism, or autistic spectrum disorder, is increasing with around 0.6% of the population affected. Though infantile autism was first described almost 60 years ago and autism has been the subject of intense research act... View More...
Childhood Autism provides clinicians with a comprehensive guide for working with autistic children and their families. It offers practical assistance with early diagnosis, cutting edge treatment options and goals, interdisciplinary insights, and available resources. Empirical research findings are presented in a clear, accessible manner. Perhaps most importantly, vivid case examples bring both the therapist's and patient's experience to the fore as they work towards recovery.This clear and informative book should be required reading for professionals and students in the fields of medicine, soc... View More...
Parents of children with autism know better than anyone else what educational and public services their child needs. They also know the deficiencies of the system and the frustrations encountered while trying to obtain such services. Constructive Campaigning for Autism Services is an essential guide to effective campaigning for appropriate services for children with autism, written by PACE (The Parents' Autism Campaign for Education). Based on the real-life experiences, dilemmas and questions of parents themselves involved in campaigning, this practical handbook explains how the system works b... View More...
Parents, caregivers and educators are often at a loss about how best to support an individual with autism because they are overwhelmed by 'behaviours', inundated with prognoses and clinical jargon, or confused by technical information. This book introduces autism from a non-clinical, humanist perspective, emphasizing that we are all more alike than different. The author deconstructs the fundamental concepts of the autistic experience using language, examples and anecdotes that are concrete and understandable for all. Reinforced for the reader is the importance of listening carefully to what pe... View More...
Written by a team of two special educators, a speech-language pathologist, and an occupational therapist, "Destination Friendship" provides easy-to-use, research-based strategies and activities that support the development of friendship skills in children with ASD within an active and fun learning environment. From the initial session, participants learn that what they say and do has a direct impact on others. Adult Tour Guides (TGs) act as a personal GPS system by offering subtle coaching and social scripting throughout theme-based sessions that include social activities and situations in whi... View More...
The voices here confirm what I've always suspected: everyone is part of one large continuum, and the approaches and insights recounted here can help any parent, any educator, any person deal with any child--or, for that matter, any other person--more effectively and with more compassion. I only wish I'd encountered earlier this cadre of experienced and caring individuals whose humor and resourcefulness represent clearly how best to love and nurture a child.--Cynthia Nitz Ris, J.D., Ph.D., University of Cincinnati Through sensitive, sometimes humorous, experienced-based writing from teachers, c... View More...
Everyday Heaven is the much-awaited fourth installment in Donna Williams' series of best-selling autobiographies about her life with autism. A humorous, riveting, roller-coaster of a book, Everyday Heaven covers the monumental nine years from the time Ian left their accidental, 'autistic marriage', to Donna's candid, funny, often bumbling explorations of sexuality and orientation, the challenge of coming to terms with the sudden deaths of those closest to her and finally knowing what life was like without the invisible cage of her 'Exposure Anxiety'. Described as enthralling, deeply moving and... View More...
"The importance of imitation as a fundamental component of social communication, and of its failure in autism, cannot be overstated. This is why imitation is one of the most active research themes in social cognitive neuroscience. The leading researchers in the field have contributed to this volume, which is vital reading for all those currently trying to understand the social mind in both typical and atypical development."--Uta Frith, PhD, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, University College London, UK "Truly an outstanding achievement This unique volume bring... View More...
Jacqui Jackson has seven children. Luke (author of Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome) has Asperger Syndrome, Joe has ADHD, and Ben has autism. Life is anything but straightforward, but the chaos of the Jacksons' lives is threaded through with humor and common sense. Full of anecdotes and lively thinking, the book explains vividly what it is like to parent young people with such a range of conditions, and provides a wealth of helpful and creative advice for other parents and carers. Anyone who has wondered what life in such a family might be like will be fascinated. View More...
Maud Deckmar tells a touching and honest story of living with Fred, her eldest child, who has autism and an intellectual disability. She recounts here the great struggles and sorrows as well as the love and happiness she has experienced from his early childhood to adulthood. She vividly describes the feelings of grief after Fred's diagnosis, the sense of loss when old friends distance themselves and the pervasive feelings of guilt about putting her son into care and admitting that she can no longer cope. She stresses the importance of communication and cooperation between parents and carers, a... View More...
Maud Deckmar tells a touching and honest story of living with Fred, her eldest child, who has autism and an intellectual disability. She recounts here the great struggles and sorrows as well as the love and happiness she has experienced from his early childhood to adulthood. She vividly describes the feelings of grief after Fred's diagnosis, the sense of loss when old friends distance themselves and the pervasive feelings of guilt about putting her son into care and admitting that she can no longer cope. She stresses the importance of communication and cooperation between parents and carers, a... View More...
Replays addresses the challenging behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorders through interactive symbolic play. It shows parents and professionals how to help children access their emotions, whether the child is verbal or not, cognitively able or impaired, even-tempered or volatile. The chapters introduce and show readers how to implement Replays, and describe ways of adapting this intervention to address specific issues in different settings and circumstances. Levine and Chedd present more than just behavioral management strategies in the context of social, emotional and communicati... View More...
Although there is increasing professional recognition of the links between ADHD and autistic spectrum disorders, this is the first book to analyse them in depth. In Reweaving the Autistic Tapestry, Lisa Blakemore-Brown uses the metaphor of the 'tapestry' to explain more clearly to parents and professionals the interwoven nature of these disorders. She demonstrates how by focusing on defined threads of the individual's tapestry, such as communication ability or hyperactivity, within the larger picture, we can better assess the individual's needs and make more effective interventions. She argues... View More...
The bestselling author of Nobody Nowhere continues her searing, revelatory account of her battle of autism--a life dominated by disembodied pattern, sound, color, and movement, cut off from the incomprehensible actions of people. Donna explores the four years sinse her diagnosis and her attempts to leave her world under glass and live normally. View More...
When Temple Grandin was born, her parents knew she was different. Years later she was diagnosed with autism. Temple's doctor recommended institutionalizing her, but her mother believed in her. Temple went to school instead. Today, Dr. Temple Grandin, a scientist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, is an autism advocate and her world-changing career revolutionized the livestock industry. This compelling biography and Temple's personal photos take us inside her extraordinary mind and open the door to a broader understanding of autism. View More...
Autism is a lifelong condition that requires special care and consideration right into adulthood, and has an impact on many lives. This book is aimed at those concerned with the education and welfare of children with autism; particularly at teachers in Special Education and the psychologists and care professionals who work with teachers and parents of children with autism. Although there is no miracle cure for autism, this book brings a message of hope: that early intervention is advantageous and that, by a better understanding of autism and the different ways it is experienced by individual c... View More...
Explores the role of nutrition plays in dealing with autism and pervasive developmental disorder and chronicles the struggle and triumph of a man and a woman who challenged the status quo to help their young son. View More...