Current estimates are that 1 out of 88 children will be diagnosed with some form of autism. Planning a curriculum that includes all students, including those with ASD, can be a challenging task but well worth the effort. This book identifies strategies that highlight students' skills, interests, and abilities though collaborative practices, environmental design, and assistive technologies.

"Physical Education for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Comprehensive Approach "

- introduces the inclusion spectrum as a tool to help teachers analyze appropriate instruction for students, aligning abilities with curriculum and activity context;

- provides information on tools such as scripts, video modeling, social stories, and choice boards to assist teachers in developing programs;

- presents a variety of activities that teachers can choose from to help students with ASD develop social and motor skills; and

- assimilates best practices from general and adapted PE as well as autism training and research that offer solutions for increased student engagement in physical education.

Written by contributors with extensive experience in developing inclusive programming for students with ASD, "Physical Education for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Comprehensive Approach" is ideal for physical education and adapted physical education courses across the K-12 curriculum.

Part I provides an understanding of students with ASD that offers insights from parents' and teachers' perspectives. From there, the authors examine the application of the inclusion spectrum that helps teachers plan for appropriate instruction. Readers will also find communication and social learning tools they can use to minimize the stress students may experience while optimizing learning experiences. Assessment protocols assist with the development of relevant IEP goals and objectives. Part II contains individualized and group games and activities that enhance lifelong learning for students with ASD.

"Physical Education for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Comprehensive Approach" is a practical resource that helps teachers design optimal plans for including students with ASD in general and adapted physical education classes. The manual contains numerous strategies, tools, and resources that assist teachers with individualizing instruction in ways that foster positive peer relationships as well as development of social and motor skills. It's a win-win situation for all--teachers, parents, and most of all the students.

Covering intermediate skills such as comprehension of abstract language, social and play skills, emotional and behavioral regulation, and academic skills, this comprehensive ABA curriculum has been developed specifically for individuals on the autism spectrum with a developmental age of approximately 4-7 years. Evidence-based, the resource guides instructors step-by-step through using ABA to teach 150 intermediate skills. The program can be individualized to meet the needs and interests of the individual, and instructions are given on how to do this. Accompanying online downloadable content contains the teaching materials needed to implement the program, including over 1000 printable color picture cards and worksheets, handy printable copies of the curriculum programs, data forms and checklists. The authors also provide guidance on creating an effective ABA teaching environment, as well as a wealth of practical teaching strategies for ensuring therapy success. This is an unparalleled resource for professionals working with children with ASDs who are looking for a robust and ready-to-implement ABA curriculum. It will be a valuable tool for behaviour analysts, teachers, psychologists, occupational therapists, and students in these fields, as well as to parents working with professionals to implement an ABA program.

This evidence-based programme is designed to help young people on the autism spectrum to cope with the many challenges of adolescence. It encourages them to explore their identity, develop their friendships and to begin to think more about adult relationships, tackling the important related issues of puberty, sexuality, gender identity, body image, dress codes, self-care, safety and conventions for touching along the way. Designed to be used either as a 30-consecutive-session programme or to be dipped into as particular issues arise, it contains engaging lesson plans, supplementary activities, take-home tasks, group discussion points and over 200 downloadable and printable flash cards. This is a vital teaching resource for educators, SENCOs, educational psychologists and other professionals working with children aged 11+ with ASDs in SEN and mainstream settings.

Providing a vital link between theory and practice, this unique volume translates the latest research data on the effectiveness of interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) into practical guidance for education professionals working with ASD pupils. * Reformulates new research data on interventions for ASD into guidance for professionals, drawing on the author s in-depth academic knowledge and practical experience * Offers a comprehensive review of up-to-date evidence on effectiveness across a wide range of interventions for ASD * Focuses on environmental factors in understanding ASD rather than outdated deficit approaches, and discusses key issues in education provision such as inclusion

It peers through the "Autism Lens", allowing us to understand autism effect change in terms of the way we deal with autism as a society and in education. It delivers evidence-based support and strategies that enable us to develop young people's abilities to interact with the social world, removing much of the anxiety that often accompanies it. An essential read for anyone working with children, and young people on the autistic spectrum and it will also prove to be a useful parents' guide to their child's mental health and emotional well-being.

Gunilla Gerland's extensive experience of the autism spectrum means she is expertly placed to offer a fresh perspective on working with autism as well as a wealth of effective tools and interventions to use in practice. In a highly readable style, with many inspiring examples, this book offers original explanations of the impairments associated with autism, showing how to discover the root cause of behaviours that are challenging, not just how to manage them superficially. It looks objectively and non-judgementally at the common pitfalls and difficulties that autism professionals may encounter, explaining how to deal with these and transition to more effective working relationships. An important section on ethics and reflection equips the reader with the knowledge and skills needed to grow professionally in the field. Packed with original insights and practical, hands-on tools and strategies, this is essential reading for teachers, teaching assistants, support workers, counsellors, social workers and anyone else working with individuals of any age on the autism spectrum.

Winner of the American Horticultural Therapy Association's Book Publication Award 2014 A garden or nature setting presents the perfect opportunity for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and special needs to learn, play and strengthen body and mind. This book empowers teachers and parents with little gardening know-how to get outside and use nature to motivate young learners. Using a mindfulness approach, Natasha Etherington presents a simple gardening program that offers learning experiences beyond those a special needs student can gain within the classroom. The book outlines the many positive physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional and social benefits of getting out into the garden and provides specially adapted gardening activities for a variety of needs, including those with developmental disabilities and behavioural difficulties, as well as wheelchair users. With a focus on the therapeutic potential of nature, the book shows that gardening can help reduce feelings of anxiety, provide an outlet for physical aggression, build self-esteem through the nurturing of plants and much more. With this practical program, teachers and parents can easily adopt gardening activities into their schedules and enjoy the benefits of introducing children with special needs to nature and the rhythms of the seasons.

Art has the potential to bring us together and create lasting connections. As humans, we have a universal need to express ourselves, find meaning, and experience a sense of belonging in our communities.In 2006, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Autism Nova Scotia partnered to develop a recreational art program that provided a safe and supportive environment for participants to express themselves creatively. In these classes, artists work in collaboration with autism support specialists and volunteers to provide meaningful and positive art experiences for children and young adults on the autism spectrum.Autism Arts showcases the collaborative nature and profound impact of the program. Featuring interviews with participants and their families, facilitators, and therapists and autism support specialists, this unique resource gathers reflections, stories, and feedback; documents workshops, representative artworks, and visual stories of social interactions; and reflects on the role museums and galleries can play in inclusion.Richly illustrated and accompanied with real-life stories, curriculum choices, and lesson plans, Autism Arts invites the reader both to celebrate and to share in the optimism and promise inclusive programming holds for all of us.

A Step-by-Step Conversation Framework for Teaching Conversational Balance and Fluency for High Functioning Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders Conversation is everywhere - at the lunch table, at after-school activities, in the line for the water fountain, at overnight camp during downtime, at work with a coworker, and at a Thanksgiving gathering. Regardless of the setting, this critical skill - human conversation - is challenging for many individuals with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HF-ASD) - children and adults alike. For these reasons, it is essential to equip individuals with ASD with effective conversational skills. The Conversation Framework is a unique strategy that provides an approach to assessing and teaching conversation skills in a group setting that is effective for most students who have difficulty engaging in conversations, including students with HF-ASD. The Conversation Framework presented in Talk With Me breaks down the elements of a conversation which must be mastered in order to be proficient at carrying out conversations. The framework was developed and refined across many years based on a review of the relevant research along with close observation of how people talk to each other - what conversations really sound like. Many find it difficult to teach conversation skills, but the Conversation Framework provides a simple and easy-to-implement process for teaching effective conversational habits. If you're looking for a comprehensive model with assessments, data collection, visual supports, drills, and prompt examples - this is your book!

Music Education for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Resource for Teachers provides foundational information about autism spectrum disorder and strategies for engaging students with ASD in music-based activities such as singing, listening, moving, and playing instruments. This practical resource supplies invaluable frameworks for teachers who work with early-years students. The book first provides readers with background information about ASD and how students with this condition manage their behaviors in school environments. It then progresses to provide teachers with information about planning music-based instruction for students on the spectrum. In the book's midsection, readers learn how students with ASD perceive, remember, and articulate pitch perception. Following chapters present a series of practical ideas for engaging students with ASD though songs and singing and concentrate on skills in music listening, most notably on activities that motivate students with ASD to interact with others through joint attention. Challenges that individuals with ASD experience in motor processing are examined, including difficulties with gait and coordination, motor planning, object control, and imitation. This is followed by practical teaching suggestions for engaging students with activities in which movement is mediated through sound (e.g., drum beats) and music. Closing chapters introduce non-pitched percussion instruments along with activities in which children engage in multisensory experiences by playing instruments-musical activities described in preceding chapters are combined with stories and drama to create musical narratives. Music Education for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is accompanied by a companion website that supplies helpful supplemental materials including audio of songs notated in the book for easy access.

Over the past 25 years, we have been on a journey to discover, describe and teach social skills. The modelpresented in this book has had many incarnations, from checklists, to diagrams, and even conceived as apicture frame one especially creative year! As we began conceptualizing the steps, we learned that each stepneeded to be broken down into still others, allowing the opportunity to analyze this task that is "being social"and support those for whom it does not come naturally. The "steps" are more of an escalator, ever moving andinfluenced by so much that happens within the day to day interactions of a real person's life. Creating the ""Foundation," derived of the desire to understand and communicate the essence of what it meansto be "engaged" with another person, is one of the highlights of this process, and this guide. The Foundationcomponent of the model is currently being implemented as part of a research project related to Fetal AlcoholSyndrome in South Africa - affiliation of Stellenbosch University, University of North Carolina, and Universityof New Mexico. Marci Laurel uses this model extensively in her work in Russia, Nicaragua, and in her privatepractice (Theraplay in New Mexico). Our goal is to address both a growing understanding of the nature of what it means to be in social relationshipwith others and how to "step on" to the learning process on any given day and over time. Indeed, as we havelearned from so many extraordinary teachers, the process can be exhilarating! It is our hope that people whohave an interest in promoting social skills - family members, teachers, therapists, and the individuals they careabout so deeply - will find Social Engagement and the Steps to Being Social to be a meaningful and practicalguide.

Providing a vital link between theory and practice, this unique volume translates the latest research data on the effectiveness of interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) into practical guidance for education professionals working with ASD pupils. * Reformulates new research data on interventions for ASD into guidance for professionals, drawing on the author s in-depth academic knowledge and practical experience * Offers a comprehensive review of up-to-date evidence on effectiveness across a wide range of interventions for ASD * Focuses on environmental factors in understanding ASD rather than outdated deficit approaches, and discusses key issues in education provision such as inclusion

Actually, there are more than 200 apps for autism. This book will guide you through them, so you can confidently utilize today's technology to maximize your child or student's success! Speech Language Pathologist Lois Jean Brady wrote this book to educate parents, teachers, and other professionals about the breakthrough method she calls "iTherapy"-the use of Apple products (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and various apps to meet students' individual educational goals.Lois believes that all persons on the spectrum can learn how to use technology in a way that is relevant to them. She shares important tips on how to use apps responsibly and effectively by maintaining a child centered, team approach to teaching and learning. Her approach takes into account the individual's interests, strengths/challenges, vision, motor planning, attention, sensory processing, memory, cognitive ability, environment, and access to tools. Lois also coaches adults on how they can use prompting and reinforcement techniques to help establish and generalize skills learned, until students are able to consistently demonstrate the skills in various environments (home, school, etc.).For those who are new to the wonderful world of apps, worry not! Lois provides helpful sections on how to get started, including:Choosing an iDevice Basic iDevice Operations Opening an Account How to Download an App from iTunes and more! But what about apps that were released since this book was published? Again-Lois has you covered! Just visit this book's companion website AutismApps dot org for reviews of new apps that made the grade.

With even the best curricula and interventions, students with autism spectrum disorders will not learn unless the classroom environment is organized with their specific needs in mind. Setting Up Classroom Spaces That Support Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders shows through clear and brief text and lots of photos how to determine what type of furniture and materials to choose for various types of classrooms and how to arrange them in a way that creates an effective learning environment while reducing anxiety and preventing problem behaviors. It uses evidence-based practices of structure and visual supports to enhance the well-being and success of students. Examples are given for students across the age span with lots of lists and helpful resources, making it a must-have resource for every classroom. Foreword by Juane Heflin, PhD.

This unique book brings a depth of understanding of the analytical skills that 21-yr old Alex has brought to his own condition. As Alex says, "There are varying types of Asperger's and young people cannot all be squeezed into having the same diagnostic symptoms. But what they do have are some correlation to the symptoms laid out by Hans Asperger."" ( Please note Asperger's may now be described as the lower end of the Autistic scale.) In his book, Alex takes each of eight symptoms and comments how these symptoms are pertinent in his life. In so doing, the reader will find similarities to those children with Asperger's that they know and will be able to reflect with new insights on what Alex is talking about. In addition to the above, Alex shares many experiences in his life that reflect his Asperger's condition from not being able to drive, social development, repetitions, panic situations, holidays, family, movies, relaxers, etc. Alex has augmented his insights with graphics that even more clearly clarify his Asperger's symptoms and sheds new ways of seeing the Asperger's condition. In reading this book, the, reader will clarify in his/her mind the characteristics common to the children that he/she knows. Along the way Alex is brought to tears in recounting the unpleasantness of his experiences. At the same time, there are moments of great hilarity in the retelling of episodes that have a sense of the comedic in them.
The second part of Alex's book is a re-counting of his life experiences, explaining why he can't drive, how he relates to his family, his school experiences, the things that relax him and those which may cause him near panic. From each experience the reader will assess the lessons learned and how it relates to the children he/she may know. In the addendum, significant family members and friends assess Alex's Asperger's diagnosis. This is extremely helpful in to the reader in that many of the problems in dealing with children with Asperger's/Autism are similar to Alex's. Every child with Asperger's has some gift. Alex's gift is his ability to penetrate to the core of his Asperger's Syndrome and then is able to articulate his response in such a way as to enlighten the reader. Added to this is a great sense of metaphor, which is highlighted by multiple graphics in the book.

More Than Hope, For Young Children On The Autism Spectrum describes powerful intervention strategies to change areas of early child development most impacted by autism. With the specialized knowledge of Dr. Tanya Paparella, a leading expert with over 20 years of autism intervention and director of the UCLA childhood autism program, the book takes each significant area of development and explains why children with autism learn differently. It then provides step-by-step intervention strategies to develop communication, social interaction, and normal behavior. The teaching strategies are known to work, they are practical, and can be used in everyday activities. This book offers parents, care givers, and professionals the opportunity to do more than just hope for a child's successful future; it directly empowers them by providing critical knowledge and intervention tools towards long-lasting benefits for each child and their family. More Than Hope, For Young Children On The Autism Spectrum is easy to read, yet powerful in its simplicity and depth. Why is this book unique? Parent friendly intervention strategies. Interventions target areas of specific difficulty in autism. Intervention in critical areas results in dramatic improvement. Incorporates intervention strategies as part of everyday activities. Efficiently targets core deficits perfect for busy parents. Explains why each area is important, why a child is having difficulty, and exactly how to intervene. Content derived from cutting edge research distilled for parents by a specialist with over 20 years of autism experience and outstanding treatment results. Significantly reduces financial overheads incurred by specialist only intervention. Book Features: Table of Contents, Illustrated, Appendix, Glossary, References, Resources

[The authors] provide a detailed breakdown of the scientific underpinnings of Waldon's theory in language accessible enough for parents and rigorous enough to satisfy the informed researcher/practitioner. - The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Daniel S. Posner, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Icahn School of medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY The author sets out an approach based on Dr Geoffrey Waldon's philosophy of the development of understanding, which centres on helping children learn-how-to-learn. The book includes: - The inspirational and well documented story of the author's son, diagnosed at two with autism and as 'basically sub-normal', now a successful professional with a wife and child. - An introduction to Geoffrey Waldon's theory and working methods. - Testimony from parents and teachers, covering autism and a range of learning difficulties. This book does not offer a 'miracle cure' for autism, although the author aims to counteract the prevailing view that autism is a lifetime condition. The author demonstrates that with the appropriate intervention, children with autism - and other special needs - can gain a fuller understanding of the world and learn to take a constructive and contributing place in it. Teachers, therapists, doctors, parents and special interest groups will find this book an important and potentially transformational read.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has received considerable educational, research, medical and media attention the past ten years. Yet the condition was first described more than a hundred years ago. Due to the disorder being confused with childhood schizophrenia, there was a lack of definitive attention by special educators, medical professionals and mental health clinicians to advance parameters related to: causes; prevalence; identification and diagnosis; education and treatment. Positively, this confusion changed starting in the 1980s with the clarification of the differences between these disorders with the 1980 publication of the" Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-III). Soon after, the 1990 federal legislation "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" recognized the disorder as a disability category eligible for special education services. Both of these events lead to an explosion of information related to: finding causes; accurate identification and diagnosis; best educational practices; and social, emotional, and behavioral treatments. Even with this explosion in the body of knowledge concerned with this disorder, much more needs to be learned and discovered. The successful use of this body of knowledge requires that accurate information be provided to educators, parents, clinicians, medical professionals, and mental health professionals to counter misinformation that exists among the general public, educators and clinical professionals. This is the primary purpose of "Autism Spectrum Disorders: Inclusive Community for the 21st Century." It is accomplished by chapters on: the delineation of a blueprint for systems of care for persons with ASD and their families; a model to assist professionals in tackling the challenge of developing employability for individuals with high functioning ASD; best practice and research guidelines that lead to an affirmative ASD diagnosis; a comprehensive and current synopsis of genetic factors associated with ASD; adjustment challenges that may be present for a sibling of an individual with ASD; a comprehensive description of an innovative community-based clinic that provides services needed by Individuals with ASD to meet their social, behavioral, educational and mental health needs; and effective treatment strategies and techniques that can be utilized by parents and educators to work effectively with children who have ASD. The chapters are written by researchers, clinicians, business professionals, and university professors who have an extensive knowledge of ASD. The contents of the book are an excellent reference for special education teachers, school psychologists, practicing mental health clinicians, and parents and family members of children and adults with ASD.

The aim of this book is to make sure all students on the Autistic Spectrum are given the opportunity to engage in appropriate teaching and learning experiences. It considers the individual with autism, and offers tried and tested approaches that have worked, giving background information on autism and its impact on the learner. In this new edition, the author has added: - more information on sensory issues - an increasingly holistic view of the student with autism - new ideas for curriculum planning in mainstream settings - advice on multi-professional working - guidance on developing positive working relationships with parents and carers There is a wealth of new electronic material available to download from the SAGE website, including photocopiable materials, PowerPoint presentations and checklists. A must-have resource for all practitioners working with children and young people on the autistic spectrum, this book will improve your inclusive practice and ensure positive outcomes for these children.

The aim of this book is to make sure all students on the Autistic Spectrum are given the opportunity to engage in appropriate teaching and learning experiences. It considers the individual with autism, and offers tried and tested approaches that have worked, giving background information on autism and its impact on the learner. In this new edition, the author has added: - more information on sensory issues - an increasingly holistic view of the student with autism - new ideas for curriculum planning in mainstream settings - advice on multi-professional working - guidance on developing positive working relationships with parents and carers There is a wealth of new electronic material available to download from the SAGE website, including photocopiable materials, PowerPoint presentations and checklists. A must-have resource for all practitioners working with children and young people on the autistic spectrum, this book will improve your inclusive practice and ensure positive outcomes for these children.

This is a research-based guide that provides a framework for effective training around autism for teachers. An edited collection of short chapters, the book is full of practical activities and discussion points ideally suited for time-stretched trainee teachers, those leading training courses and busy teachers continuing to learn on the job. Focusing on the myriad ways that autism affects pupils and their education, it covers key training strategies around autism including maths, physical education, sex and relationships, behaviour management and more. Each contains the material for a session to be delivered to trainee teachers or to provide a unit of self-study. Combining research into the needs of trainee teachers, parents, and students with autism, this book offers an effective roadmap for teacher training and a better understanding of how to meet the needs of autistic pupils.

The BASICS College Curriculum presents a hands-on approach to learning essential independence and life skills for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The third book helps young adults to translate their strengths and interests into possible careers and develop job-hunting skills that will set them on the road to success. Students are shown how to identify their unique skill set, write an effective resume, build a network of contacts, prepare for interviews, and secure that internship position. Other possible life paths are also explored including continuing in education and studying abroad. Ideal as a textbook for ASD college programs and suitable for young adults to use for their own self-study, each chapter has a lesson-based progressive structure, providing valuable information and advice for the student, useful diagrams, practical exercises and workbook components that can be filled in at home or in class. Self-assessment tools ensure the skills from each chapter can be reviewed and adjusted as necessary. The book can be used on its own or in conjunction with the other BASICS curriculum books to further develop essential life skills.