How an understanding of intellectual disability transforms the pleasures of reading Narrative informs everything we think, do, plan, remember, and imagine. We tell stories and we listen to stories, gauging their "well-formedness" within a couple of years of learning to walk and talk. Some argue that the capacity to understand narrative is innate to our species; others claim that while that might be so, the invention of writing then re-wired our brains. In The Secret Life of Stories, Michael Berube tells a dramatically different tale, in a compelling account of how an understanding of intellectual disability can transform our understanding of narrative. Instead of focusing on characters with disabilities, he shows how ideas about intellectual disability inform an astonishingly wide array of narrative strategies, providing a new and startling way of thinking through questions of time, self-reflexivity, and motive in the experience of reading. Interweaving his own stories with readings of such texts as Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury, Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Kingston's The Woman Warrior, and Philip K. Dick's Martian Time-Slip, Berube puts his theory into practice, stretching the purview of the study of literature and the role of disability studies within it. Armed only with the tools of close reading, Berube demonstrates the immensely generative possibilities in the ways disability is deployed within fiction, finding in them powerful meditations on what it means to be a social being, a sentient creature with an awareness of mortality and causality-and sentience itself. Persuasive and witty, Michael Berube engages Harry Potter fans and scholars of literature alike. For all readers, The Secret Life of Stories will fundamentally change the way we think about the way we read.

Technology holds great promise for helping students with autism learn, communicate, and function effectively in the modern world. Start leveraging that power today with this forward-thinking book, your in-depth guided tour of technologies that support learners with autism and help them fully participate in their classroom and community. You'll learn about readily available technologies you can use right now-from apps to video modeling-and explore next-wave innovations that will help shape the future of autism intervention, such as therapeutic robots and advanced virtual reality technologies. You'll also get critical guidance on how to select the appropriate technology for your needs, weave technology into a universal design for learning framework, and conduct effective professional development so teachers make the most of new tools and strategies. Discover technologies that help support the overall learning of children on the autism spectrum teach social skills and support emotion regulation through independent data collection develop executive function strategies and improve flexibility, memory, and transitions boost literacy and language skills support young adults' transition to the workplace make data collection and program evaluation more effective and efficient strengthen teacher training programs enhance use of evidence-based practices Explore the benefits of technologies like apps for education, communication, behavior regulation, and more video modeling language processing software customized digital stories and book creator apps element cue supports emotional regulation and sensing technologies interactive learning software to improve feedback and metacognition visualization and mind mapping apps text-to-speech and speech to text software e-readers and tablets with integrated multimedia (e.g., cameras, microphones, etc.) electronic data collection forms for use with handheld devices and more

Keep people with dementia fully engaged in daily life and help them maximise remaining functional skills by tapping into their innate abilities and interests. Engaging and Communicating with People Who Have Dementia is a trove of advice on how to identify people's strengths and preferences and then use this knowledge to improve activity programming, communication, and functional independence. Individualising activities, interactions, or interventions at any moment of the day is made easy with the many helpful suggestions offered throughout the pages of this innovative guide. Here are keys to successfully choosing leisure activities for individuals that emphasise their previous interests and talents as well as current capabilities. Based on the principles of multiple intelligences, this resource provides handy assessment forms and instructive explanations and examples to help uncover and then build on each person's unique abilities. Abundant activity ideas are showcased for each type of intelligence - linguistic, logical, visual, tactile, auditory, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic - plus strategies for adapting them as a person's abilities decline. Features that make this resource especially useful for enriching person-centered programming, include: * Advice on available technologies that enhance communication, promote independence, and stimulate cognition. * Guidelines for matching activities to early, middle and late stages of dementia. * Valuable assessment tools for use by staff, family, and the individual. * Downloadable, reusable forms. Activity professionals, nursing staff, speech-language pathologists, and even family caregivers can help maintain meaningful and enjoyable interactions with an adult diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease using this strength-based approach. 2014 National Mature Media Award (Bronze Award Winner)

Sometimes, all a student needs to succeed is a friend. Every day, thousands of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) struggle to stay afloat at school-sometimes bullied, often ostracized. Mastering academics can be hard enough without the added challenge of navigating social situations that neurotypical kids take for granted. If students with ASD had a peer to model and reinforce socially appropriate behavior and coach them through schoolwork, it could help them feel at home in the student population. This inspirational new book describes how to set up just such a peer-mentoring organization in your school or community. With a clear understanding of the needs of students with ASD and the kids who will be their guides, Kukoff provides: Steps for organizing and implementing your own Autism Ambassadors program Clear-cut guidelines on the responsibilities of student "ambassadors," plus peer-support strategies to improve the ambassador experience More than a hundred specific interventions any student can employ with students with ASD A path for students with ASD to become Autism Ambassadors themselves Based on the methodology of Applied Behavior Analysis-the gold standard in autism intervention-but created and led by students, the Autism Ambassadors curriculum will promote leadership and improve the school experience for all students.

Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as early as possible can have a significant, positive impact on the child's journey to adaptation and independence. Yet too few diagnoses take place at an early, developmentally crucial stage. This unique visual guide aims to equip readers with the skills to recognise ASD in children as young as 15-18 months old. The book provides a systematic framework for understanding the complex nature of ASD. From social interaction to communication to restricted and repetitive behaviors, each chapter focuses on key symptoms and uses photographs to illustrate and enhance understanding of presenting or absent behaviors. It is written in an accessible style and covers all of the core aspects of ASD, giving readers everything they need to be able to successfully identify the behavioral indicators of autism. A final chapter provides an overview of assessment options for young children being evaluated for possible ASD. Taking a visual approach to identifying ASD in very young children, this book will be a valuable resource for early intervention professionals and students, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, paediatricians, teachers as well as parents of children pre- and post-diagnosis.

As prevalence rates and awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) increase, there is a need for all educators to have a basic understanding of the disorder and how to teach affected children. Understanding Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Educators Partnering with Families introduces, in an accessible manner, the significant body of research and theory in the field of autism within the larger context of understanding the unique socio-cultural dimensions of individuals with ASD and their families. Engaging and user-friendly, Michelle Haney's text provides future educators insight into the complexity and diversity of children with ASD, the wide range of interventions and processes for making decisions about choosing interventions (teaming with parents to provide optimal educational opportunities), and the personal/professional growth that is likely to take place during such a journey.

This hands-on, practical, teacher-friendly approach to preventing as well as responding to the acting-out behaviors of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) includes detailed procedures for general and special education teachers. It is based on the model described in Colvin's bestselling book, Managing the Cycle of Acting Out Behavior in the Classroom, which presents a 7-step model for confronting challenging behavior in the classroom, from the calm phase to the agitation phase to the deescalation phase. Of special importance in this book is the attention paid to how challenging behaviors of students with ASD are related to the disability, specifically the role of sensory and medical issues. Based on a well-researched model, the methods in this book have been field-tested.

Preschool can be overwhelming for a child with autism. Autism affects how a child communicates, behaves, and relates to others. What do you do when a three-year-old with autism falls on the floor kicking and screaming? How do you communicate with a child who looks away and flaps his hands? What do you do with a four-year-old who watches the ceiling fan as it rotates around and around?

Who can help if you suspect a child in your class has autism? Childcare providers need to know what they can do to help children with autism reach their full potential.
"Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder" discusses autism in a straightforward way. It describes the major types of autism in ways that are very easy to understand. The first two chapters discuss the major characteristics associated with autism, decipher the jargon related to this disability, and help teachers understand the ways children with autism relate to the world. Other chapters focus on setting up a proactive preschool environment, helping children learn life skills, managing behavior, helping them communicate, encouraging children with autism to play, helping them to get along with others, and working with families. Each chapter contains specific strategies for the teacher to use in the classroom.

"Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder" will help teachers connect with all children in meaningful ways and encourage children with autism to learn and grow.

This book offers general education teachers a wide variety of cutting edge, research-tested strategies and tool for supporting middle and secondary students with autism in the classroom while meeting the challenges of each school day. The text blends personal anecdotes with research-based strategies and is filled with hundreds of valuable ideas to help teachers with everything from understanding autism and special education policy to becoming an effective team member, supporting students with diverse needs, developing peer friendships, and solving behavior challenges. In addition, the book includes a resource guide that teachers can use to prepare and train instructional assistants to work with students who have autism.

Children with pervasive developmental disorders often do not learn from conventional methods, which can result in social isolation, behavior problems, limitations in communication, and slow academic growth. Greater integration into home and school activities, improved behavior and academic success can be achieved using alternative-augmentative communication (AAC), and this book explains exactly how to make it happen. Exploring the various communication and intervention options available and offering straightforward techniques and strategies for using them effectively, this book clearly explains everything families, teachers, therapists and other professionals need to know in order to improve a child's communication, behavior, social and academic skills. Chapters follow a consistent, user-friendly format, answering the questions Who, What, Why, How, Where and When about every technique. This book will be essential reading for anyone looking to improve social interaction between children with pervasive developmental disorders and those around them.

Award-winning author of the How Do I Teach This Kid series, Kim Henry extends her expertise to the realm of reading. In this book, she presents simple instructional strategies for developing early literacy skills in young children with autism. She provides evidence-based research to support her strategies and addresses topics such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. Included are creative activities and interesting lesson plans that can be easily adapted or combined with other teaching methods to suit teachers' and students' individual needs. A bonus CD of printable lesson plans is also included!

A step-by-step approach to managing your challenging students! An effective classroom management plan will help teachers engage most of their students, but every classroom has one or two students with more challenging behavioural issues that often require a significant amount of an educator's time. This jargon-free, easy-to-read book guides teachers through the process of helping these students become positive, contributing learners. Based on sound psychological principles and more than 10 years of empirical evidence, this resource provides general and special education teachers with an eight-step plan for responding to challenging behaviours, including: - Giving simple instructions - Using appropriate warnings - Handling tantrums - Creating behavioural contracts - Managing transitions - Preventing disruptions - Improving behaviour outside the classroom - Developing effective homework routines Filled with suggestions for adapting each of the steps and practical examples that illustrate potential problems that may arise during the interventions, 8 Steps to Classroom Management Success offers a coherent system for creating a positive learning environment for all students.

This guide brings the most recent advancements in evidence-based interventions to both novice and experienced educators who are looking for practical and meaningful strategies for teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The authors provide step-by-step, field-tested guidelines that connect with Individual Educational Program goals, illustrate to how write a behavior intervention plan, and demonstrates how to deliver effective interventions, including applied behavior analysis, functional behavior assessment, and positive behavioral supports. This concise handbook features sidebars highlighting major points, vignettes, and summaries, and includes many sample materials, tools, and reproducible forms. Teachers get the "nuts and bolts" on Identifying and including students with ASD in the general education classroom Organizing the classroom environment, creating space, and managing time Promoting independence, communication, and socially appropriate behaviors Selecting visual strategies, tools, and curriculum resources This user-friendly resource presents educators with a solid framework for delivering first-rate services to foster confidence and success for every student with ASD.

This compelling choose your own adventure story and accompanying teacher resource have been created to develop the social skills of autistic children aged 8-12. The reader takes on the role of the main character who finds themselves trapped in Tudor England and, confronted by challenging social situations and decisions that could help or hinder the narrative, must solve a mystery to get home. Circumstances throughout the narrative are linked to accompanying worksheets in the teacher resource that explore topics such as wellbeing, teamwork, managing conflict and processing information. Suitable for use in small groups or 1:1, the programme is flexible in design, allowing the facilitator to respond to the needs of each child. Key features of this set include: An engaging illustrated interactive story that places the reader at the heart of the narrative, encouraging discussion and creating moments for deeper thinking and self-reflection Photocopiable and downloadable worksheets divided into sections focused on 'Making Sense of my World' and 'Connecting with Others' A gentle and fun approach to social skills development, this is an invaluable resource for anybody looking to support students aged 8-12 as they build an understanding of the complexities of social dynamics. Although created with autistic girls in mind, it can be used with students of different genders and adapted for their needs.

Sensory motor activities are crucial for children to learn from their environment. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, this revised edition is a complete package of tried-and-tested sensory motor activities for children, covering basic movements, interoception, sensory and body awareness and early visual perceptual skills. Providing an overview of the sensory systems, the authors offer practical strategies for parents/carers and practitioners to link knowledge to practice when communicating and engaging with a child. The authors present both familiar and novel activity ideas, explaining how they provide sensory stimulation to the relevant sensory systems and may help to support the child's development, sensory processing and regulation levels. New material includes: greater emphasis on understanding the sensory systems and how they link to the activities a brand new chapter on interoception revised recording methods, including Goal Attainment Scaling as an outcome tool an expanded list of activities. Sensory Motor Activities for Early Development, 2nd edition is an essential text for all parents/carers and practitioners who use sensory motor activities in a playful way to help the development of children with a range of needs. It will be valuable reading for those working with children who do not initiate movement, who require help with their movement, who need to refine their movement, who need encouragement or motivation to engage in purposeful movements, or those who need activities to provide sensory stimulation.

Social Narratives are a simple, evidence-based intervention to help children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental delays to understand appropriate social behaviours and overcome the anxiety associated with social situations. This practical guide explains how to create and use personalised Social Narratives with children aged 4+. Drawing on the latest autism theory and findings from research, the author provides step-by- step guidelines for writing and using Social Narratives at home or in the classroom. She describes clearly the key components of the approach, including incorporating the interests of the child, using literal and positive language and including visuals and comprehension questions to support learning. 27 sample Social Narratives are also included, to provide inspiration and useful examples of how Social Narratives can be used in practice. Perfect for improving social behaviour in children with ASD, this book will be a valuable resource for teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists, as well as parents.

Picture stories can play a vital role in helping parents negotiate challenging scenarios with kids with ASD. Yet no matter how many books and flashcards you have, they can't cover every eventuality. So, suppose you could draw the stories yourself... Brian Attwood took up pen and paper when his son John's meltdowns became harder to deal with. The effect was immediate and time and time again picture stories have bailed the family out of trouble and saved John from unhappiness and confusion. In this book, Brian describes step-by-step how to create simple yet effective picture stories using basic drawings and short lines of text, and provides examples based on real-life situations for you to adapt for your child. This book will give parents and carers the tools and confidence they need to create individualised picture stories to help their child with ASD cope with social situations, difficult emotions, transitions and other challenging situations.

How can you help children with moderate to severe autism become more effective communicators? Discover the Visual Immersion System (VIS), a practical, research-based intervention framework that taps into the strong visual processing skills many children on the spectrum have. You'll learn how to use readily available resources - from photos and symbols to apps and software - to create a customised system of visual supports that boost seven key communicative functions. For each of the functions, you'll get comprehensive how-to guidance on choosing tools and materials, conducting systematics instruction, collecting data, and assessing how well interventions are working. A must for SLPs, interventionists, and educators, the innovative VIS approach will ensure better communication and higher quality of life for children with autism. Why The VIS Works Uses visual supports, an approach that's proven successful for children with autism Strengthens communication skills needed for learning and meaningful human interaction Builds on evidence-based assessment and intervention procedures developed over decades at Boston Children's Hospital Incorporates a wide range of low-tech and higher-tech options Flexible - can be used in home, school, or community settings provides clear, easy-to-use instructions on conducting interventions Includes guidance on generalising new communication skills

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.

Video modeling takes visual learning to the next level by using new technologies to create an effective teaching tool. This book explains how professionals and parents can use innovative video modeling techniques to support the development of young children with autism spectrum disorders in school, home or community settings. Offering practical step-by-step guidance, the book shows how to film and edit personalized videos that highlight the exact skill that is being taught. Whether the focus is increasing attention, peer interaction, getting dressed or creative play, these videos are easy to incorporate into daily routines. They allow the child to learn new skills quickly and with less hands-on adult support leading to greater independence. Three video modeling strategies are presented - Basic Video Modeling, Video Self-Modeling and Point-of-view Video Modeling - along with all the information needed for readers to start using the techniques for themselves. The research behind the approach is also discussed and each chapter includes detailed case studies that demonstrate the techniques in action.

Getting into the Game: Sports Programs for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder will help families, clinicians and coaches support children with autism in taking their first steps into sport and recreation. Participation in individual and team sports plays an important part in children's development and promotes growth in a number of areas. As well as the obvious health benefits, sport also provides the perfect backdrop to teach young people with autism about rules, strategy and teamwork - all invaluable lessons that can be applied to wider society. By detailing six of the most popular sports: cycling, ice skating, swimming, soccer, taekwondo and tennis and including the unique experiences of families of children with autism, it offers all the information, advice and support needed to help get kids with autism engaged in fun and positive sport environments. This book is an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, coaches and anyone supporting children with autism spectrum disorders in a sport or recreation environment.

If you have a child with Asperger's syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism, conventional parenting principles will often prove insufficient and unproductive. This intelligent companion has all the answers, explanations and advice to enable parents to feel confident in providing effective support for their child with AS or high-functioning autism. The author explains how to help develop social and communication skills, clarifies the type of assistance needed from outside the family (and where to find it), and includes suggestions on how to ensure that the needs of other siblings are also met. Written from the insightful perspective of a child psychiatrist, this very practical book will provide concrete help for parents and carers. The experience and expertise shared will also be useful for all professionals working with children with AS or high-functioning autism and their families.

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is one of the most effective interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities. Now you can bring ABA best practices into any early childhood setting with this book-your complete guide to using ABA within everyday routines to support children's learning, participation, and development. Ideal for use with children birth to five, this practical, reader-friendly guidebook is the first to combine ABA with natural environment intervention, the widely used, research-supported approach to meeting the needs of children with disabilities. You'll learn the fundamental principles and research behind ABA and natural environment intervention, and you'll get one clear and practical framework for conducting effective assessment of behaviour, skills, routines, and caregiver priorities setting meaningful goals that increase the child's active participation in routines addressing the goals with tailored ABA teaching procedures creating powerful intervention plans that support children in specific developmental domains and routines selecting an appropriate data collection method monitoring progress toward goals and making adjustments as needed ensuring consistent implementation of ABA interventions coaching other professionals and caregivers in the ABA approach. To get you started with ABA, the book gives you 25 sample teaching plans that strengthen communication, social interaction, positive behaviour, independent play and daily living skills, cognitive skills, and participation in everyday routines. Vivid, realistic case studies of diverse children walk you through the ABA process from start to finish. And with the blank forms and data sheets, you'll easily assess children's skills and participation and monitor their progress toward goals. With this comprehensive guide to a proven intervention approach, you'll help young children with ASD and other disabilities make lasting improvements and participate fully at home, at school, and in their community.

This book will guide practitioners, early interventionists, teachers, counselors, and psychologists in identifying and implementing effective strategies that address the unique characteristics of children with autism and their families. The authors describe current research on the etiology of autism and outline a range of effective assessment procedures. Key topics include: - How to guide family participation and supports in developing goals and interventions - Procedures for intervention planning and implementation in natural settings - Methods for promoting generalization and maintenance of skills - Strategies to promote collaboration and problem-solving approaches across multiple disciplines Approaches for evaluating evidence based practices - Ways to foster awareness of recent developments related to evidence-based practices

This practical resource is brimming with ideas and guidance for using simple ideas from speech and language pathology and occupational therapy to boost communication, sensory integration, and coordination skills in children on the autism spectrum. Suitable for use in the classroom, at home, and in community settings, it is packed with easy-to-follow, goal-oriented activities and lesson plans centering around arts and crafts, music-making, cookery, sensory activities, and skills for daily living. The activities all use materials and objects which are readily available in the home or classroom, and can easily be adapted to suit children of different abilities, including those who are non-verbal. This book is perfect for teachers, speech and language pathologists, and occupational therapists who need fresh and effective activity ideas for the classroom or therapy room, as well as for parents and other caregivers who want to help their child on the autism spectrum to speak, move, play...and learn!