examines some learning styles of students with autism spectrum disorders and describes teaching strategies that have been shown to be effective with... these students. a brief review of research begins each content chapter with illustrations fo how the selected strategies can be implimented. while the book is designed for school personnel it is also an informative resource for families.

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.

With the publication of the MIGDAS in 2008, Marilyn Monteiro introduced a revolutionary approach to diagnosing Asperger's Syndrome--an approach that has... rapidly gained recognition and acceptance across the country (see page 20.) Now Dr. Monteiro addresses the entire autism spectrum in a new book, Autism Conversations, which presents a more authentic, individualized, and accurate way to evaluate children who may have autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Based on thousands of real-world evaluations, Autism Conversations opens up and improves the assessment process, looking at aspects of autism not adequately covered by current diagnostic criteria. The book demonstrates that conversation--among evaluators, teachers, parents, and children--is vital to accurate diagnosis. Using vivid case examples, Dr. Monteiro presents an evaluation approach that yields a detailed, nuanced picture of each child, leading to more individualized intervention. She also gently guides parents through the diagnostic process, which many find complicated and emotionally draining.

Forty-five critical topics every parent and teacher must understand about autism.Serving and advocating for children with autism spectrum disorders... (ASD) requires parents, teachers, and other caretakers to gather and understand a massive amount of information. Autism Encyclopedia: The Complete Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders offers concise, reader-friendly articles that provide answers to the most pertinent questions related to educating and parenting children with autism.The entries explain and give practical advice on topics including the educational process; programs and therapy; issues in communication, behavior, and social skills; promoting living skills, friendships, and inclusion; and caring for adults with autism. Current research and emerging issues also are discussed.Each entry contains a glossary of key terms and suggested resources for more information. Topics are cross-referenced for easy access to related articles within the book. The book provides parents and teachers with the information they need to help ensure success for children with ASD.

The updated edition of this classic account of autism includes a new chapter outlining recent developments in neuropsychological research, and overviews... one of the most important theoretical and practical consequences of Frith's original insights into this puzzling condition.Updated edition of this classic account of autism. Includes new sections covering practical and theoretical developments, and a chapter on recent investigations of the neurological basis of psychological impairments in autism. Accessible to a broad general readership.

Award-winning autism expert Chantal Sicile-Kira presents a positive and empowering ?bill of rights? for every person with autism. From an award-winning... author and advocate, Autism Life Skills presents a positive and empowering "bill of rights" for every person with autism, regardless of impairment level. With advice and reflections from autistic adults across the spectrum, as well as Sicile-Kira's own experience as an advocate and parent of an autistic teen, the book covers these ten essential life skills: Making Sense of the World * Communication * Safety * Self-Esteem * Pursuing Interests * Self-Regulation * Independence * Social Relationships * Self- Advocacy *Earning a Living Whether your child or student has Asperger's or is on the more severely impaired end of the autism spectrum, this action-oriented guide will provide hope and help -- so that every child has a chance to reach his or her full potential.

A London researcher was the first to assert that the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine known as MMR caused autism in children. Following this... "discovery," a handful of parents declared that a mercury-containing preservative in several vaccines was responsible for the disease. If mercury caused autism, they reasoned, eliminating it from a child's system should treat the disorder. Consequently, a number of untested alternative therapies arose, and, most tragically, in one such treatment, a doctor injected a five-year-old autistic boy with a chemical in an effort to cleanse him of mercury, which stopped his heart instead. Children with autism have been placed on stringent diets, subjected to high-temperature saunas, bathed in magnetic clay, asked to swallow digestive enzymes and activated charcoal, and injected with various combinations of vitamins, minerals, and acids. Instead of helping, these therapies can hurt those who are most vulnerable, and particularly in the case of autism, they undermine childhood vaccination programs that have saved millions of lives. An overwhelming body of scientific evidence clearly shows that childhood vaccines are safe and does not cause autism. Yet widespread fear of vaccines on the part of parents persists. In this book, Paul A. Offit, a national expert on vaccines, challenges the modern-day false prophets who have so egregiously misled the public and exposes the opportunism of the lawyers, journalists, celebrities, and politicians who support them. Offit recounts the history of autism research and the exploitation of this tragic condition by advocates and zealots. He considers the manipulation of science in the popular media and the courtroom, and he explores why society is susceptible to the bad science and risky therapies put forward by many antivaccination activists.

A London researcher was the first to assert that the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine known as MMR caused autism in children. Following this... "discovery," a handful of parents declared that a mercury-containing preservative in several vaccines was responsible for the disease. If mercury caused autism, they reasoned, eliminating it from a child's system should treat the disorder. Consequently, a number of untested alternative therapies arose, and, most tragically, in one such treatment, a doctor injected a five-year-old autistic boy with a chemical in an effort to cleanse him of mercury, which stopped his heart instead. Children with autism have been placed on stringent diets, subjected to high-temperature saunas, bathed in magnetic clay, asked to swallow digestive enzymes and activated charcoal, and injected with various combinations of vitamins, minerals, and acids. Instead of helping, these therapies can hurt those who are most vulnerable, and particularly in the case of autism, they undermine childhood vaccination programs that have saved millions of lives. An overwhelming body of scientific evidence clearly shows that childhood vaccines are safe and does not cause autism. Yet widespread fear of vaccines on the part of parents persists. In this book, Paul A. Offit, a national expert on vaccines, challenges the modern-day false prophets who have so egregiously misled the public and exposes the opportunism of the lawyers, journalists, celebrities, and politicians who support them. Offit recounts the history of autism research and the exploitation of this tragic condition by advocates and zealots. He considers the manipulation of science in the popular media and the courtroom, and he explores why society is susceptible to the bad science and risky therapies put forward by many antivaccination activists.

Autism Spectrum Disorder highlights current key topics for this complex and challenging developmental neurobiological disorder. In a very practical and... concise manner, the reader will find a state-of-the-science review combining key factual knowledge with practical clinical considerations. Written in a user-friendly fashion, this text provides key fact boxes, summary questions, and references for further readings to enhance understanding. This invaluable book incorporates practical clinical knowledge within a didactic framework to provide a comprehensive overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across the lifespan.

As a volume in the AAC series, this book addresses the use of AAC for children and adolescents with autism to enhance their language, communication, and... literacy development.

Autism is a devastating disorder. Although it was once thought to be rare, its numbers are skyrocketing today. The need for this enlightening and... eminently practical book has never been greater. Written to help the nonspecialist provide state-of-the-art care, this remarkable volume synthesizes the most recent research on the etiology, assessment, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for practitioners. It also reviews the scientific literature and practical implications for clinical care and, in this era of evidence-based medicine, provides empirically supported guidelines for evaluation and treatment, highlighting the role of various professional disciplines. Contributors are a veritable AwhoAs whoA of leaders and expert investigators from disciplines such as pediatrics, psychology, psychiatry, neurology, genetics, education, and early childhood development. Their work is divided into three parts: -Part I offers a historical perspective that traces the major scientific advances, debates, and hypotheses that have informed clinical practice since autism was first described in 1943, including how to use these advances in everyday practice. -Part II presents a model of team building and cross-disciplinary collaboration that is the practice at the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute at the University of CaliforniaADavis, the institution with which most of the contributors are associated. Each chapter reviews the important theories, research findings, and scientific debates relevant to a particular discipline (psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, and neurology), applying them to clinical care. -Part III discusses treatments, from nonmedical interventions to pharmacotherapy and alternative theories to cultural issues and professional-parent collaboration. Again using the M.I.N.D. Institute as a model, this section articulates the absolute necessity of stakeholder/parent perspectives and partnerships in understanding and working with the disorderAcoming full circle from just 10 to 15 years ago, when parents were seen as having an etiologic role in the onset of the disorder through nonempathic parenting styles. Concluding with a resource appendix and an index, this densely informative volume shows us where science is actually being used to yield new understanding.

This cross-disciplinary reference offers a thorough overview of the communication, language, social, and behavioral issues characteristic of autism... spectrum disorders (ASD). Based on meticulous research of the core areas of ASD - communication, socialization, emotional regulation, and symbolic development - the authors offer practical guidelines for intervention designed for children with autism and their families. In this comprehensive book, speech-language pathologists, clinicians, early interventionists, psychologists, and educators learn how to: understand and address the social and communication challenges experienced by children with autism; enhance assessment and intervention methods; and support families in their efforts to facilitate their children's development. Chapters in this volume, written by leading clinical and research authorities in ASD, will allow readers to understand the principles and philosophies behind clinical and educational practices implemented with children with autism. Readers will also encounter guidelines to use when making critical assessment and intervention decisions to create more natural, child-centered supports. All professionals will learn how to improve their educational and developmental supports for young children with autism.

Responding to the increasing numbers of students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in schools, and the need for all teachers to be prepared... with research-based strategies to instruct these students, this new book provides a comprehensive overview of what autism spectrum disorders are, their identification, and treatment approaches; specific information on diagnosis, learning behavioral, cognitive, and sensory characteristics, and etiology; and evidence-based practices for instruction, including social skills, communication, and academics. Other featured concepts include: a model for determining appropriate, individualized practices; assessment and planning including environmental planning; information to support teachers as they develop programs and learning environments; technology and transition; and working with families of students with ASD. Additionally, special pedagogical features found throughout the book offer more coverage of diversity, trends and issues, and research. Written in an easy-to-follow format, this newly acclaimed book implements a real-world approach to working with students of autism spectrum disorders, with authentic examples and a strong focus on research-based practice, offering the best information for teachers or future teachers in today’s classrooms.