This important volume provides a theoretical framework for the usefulness of the stress construct in understanding and treating autism. Contributions by researchers, clinicians, teachers and persons living with autism illustrate how stress influences the lives of persons with autism; how those touched by autism cope with stress; and how clinicians, teachers and caregivers can reduce the impact of stress in autism.
The authors explore how stress contributes to the physiological, psychological, and overt behavioral manifestations of autism. Narratives by individuals with autism, family members, clinicians, and a musician help the reader to understand in a rich and unique way the role and impact stress can have in the life of people living with autism and also highlight creative coping strategies over a lifetime. Clinicians and educators offer a range of intervention and instructional strategies to reduce stress and to prevent or alleviate anxiety and other disruptive responses inherent in autism. This volume's biological, psychological and social perspectives on stress and autism reflect many modes of inquiry and types of information. Stress, Coping and Autism will be of great help to mental health professionals, researchers and caregivers alike.

Self-injurious behavior occurs in almost half of those with autism and is one of the most devastating and challenging-to-treat behaviors. There are many different forms of self-injury, such as head banging, hand biting, hair pulling, excessive scratching, and much more. With contributions from the leading experts in research and treatment, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or related developmental disabilities, and the different methods available to treat them. Medical and behavioral researchers have studied SIB for over 50 years, but many practitioners and parents are still unfamiliar with the wide range of contributing causes and treatment options. Beginning with an explanation of SIB and its various forms, the contributors outline the many possible underlying causes of self-injury, such as seizures, hormonal imbalance in teenagers, gastrointestinal conditions, allergies, and stress, and show how a multi-disciplinary approach when uncovering the causes of self-injury can lead to successful treatment strategies. They explain the treatment options available for SIB, including nutritional, medical, psychiatric, sensory, and behavioral approaches, and show how an integrative approach to treating self-injury may be effective for many individuals. The book will be an invaluable addition to the bookshelves of any practitioner working with people with an ASD or related condition, as well as parents and direct care providers.

Encouraging people on the autism spectrum to foster positive emotions and character traits can dramatically improve their lives in every way, and help to strengthen their ability to cope with everyday challenges and setbacks. Drawing on the key concepts of positive psychology, this book looks in detail at five positive character traits - resilience, optimism, humor, kindness, and self-efficacy - and offers tried and tested strategies for bolstering each strength in individuals with ASD. The authors provide rich and varied lesson plans which contain a multitude of activities designed to build on the five areas identified, and which can be easily implemented at home, at school, or in the community. This complete "toolkit" provides parents, educators and other professionals with everything they need to know to use positive psychology strategies to support people of all ages and abilities on the autism spectrum.