A Mindfulness Intervention For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

This book presents emerging research on the effectiveness of mindfulness methods in reducing behavior problems associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children. The volume synthesizes current research and theories on the therapeutic uses of mindfulness, specifically for people living with developmental disabilities. In addition, it examines a promising new study in which mothers of children with ASD learn mindfulness techniques for their own use and are then trained to teach the methods to their children. The book concludes with a report of poststudy findings and a discussion of practical and methodological issues regarding mindfulness interventions for ASD. Featured topics include: A genealogy of mindfulness, from original Buddhist texts to modern health applications. Implications for further research and advancement. Appendices of basic mindfulness exercises and activities. A Mindfulness Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a concise resource for researchers, clinicians and other scientist-practitioners, and graduate students in developmental psychology, social work, education, and related disciplines.

Despite its inherent joys, the challenges of parenting can produce considerable stress. These challenges multiply—and the quality of parenting suffers—when a parent or child has mental health issues, or when parents are in conflict. Even under optimal circumstances, the constant changes as children develop can tax parents' inner resources, often undoing the best intentions and parenting courses. Mindful Parenting: A Guide for Mental Health Practitioners offers an evidence-based, eight week structured mindfulness training program for parents with lasting benefits for parents and their children. Designed for use in mental health contexts, its methods are effective whether parents or children have behavioral or emotional issues. The program's eight sessions focus on mindfulness-oriented skills for parents, such as responding to (as opposed to reacting to) parenting stress, handling conflict with children or partners, fostering empathy, and setting limits. The book dovetails with other clinical mindfulness approaches, and is written clearly and accessibly so that professionals can learn the material easily and impart it to clients. Featured in the text: Detailed theoretical, clinical, and empirical foundations of the program. The complete Mindful Parenting manual with guidelines for eight sessions and a follow-up. Handouts and assignments for each session. Findings from clinical trials of the Mindful Parenting program. Perspectives from parents who have finished the course. Its clinical focus and empirical support make Mindful Parenting an invaluable tool for practitioners and clinicians in child, school, and family psychology, psychotherapy/counseling, psychiatry, social work, and developmental psychology.

This book presents a process and framework for designing interventions for individuals of all ages with ASD, while staying consistent with current trends in education, including response to intervention (RTI), evidence-based practices, and positive behavioral supports.

This book examines early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) programs for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It analyzes current research on early intervention (EI) and explains the importance of accurate, timely detection of ASD in facilitating the use of EI. Chapters address five widely researched EIBI approaches: Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, the Early Start Denver Model, Prelinguistic Milieu Teaching, and Enhanced Milieu Teaching. This in-depth study of current EIBI approaches offers a rigorous guide to earlier and more intensive interventions for children with ASD, leading to greater autonomy and improved later life outcomes for individuals. Featured topics include: Parent-implemented interventions and related issues. Evaluations of controversial interventions used with children with ASD. Factors contributing to rising ASD prevalence. Obstacles to obtaining accurate ASD diagnosis in young children. Early Intervention for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is an essential resource for researchers, clinicians, and graduate students in developmental, clinical child, and school psychology, behavioral therapy/rehabilitation, social work, public health, educational policy and politics, and related psychology and behavioral health fields.

Play-Based Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities contains a wide selection of play therapy interventions for use with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, dysregulation issues, or other neurodevelopmental disorders. The structured interventions focus on improvement in social skills, emotional regulation, connection and relationship development, and anxiety reduction. Special considerations for implementing structured interventions and an intervention tracking sheet are also presented. This valuable tool is a must have for both professionals and parents working on skill development with these populations.

Neural Engineering for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Volume Two: Diagnosis and Clinical Analysis presents the latest advances in neural engineering and biomedical engineering as applied to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Advances in the role of neuroimaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, MRI, fMRI, DTI, video analysis of sensory-motor and social behaviors, and suitable data analytics useful for clinical diagnosis and research applications for Autism Spectrum Disorder are covered, including relevant case studies. The application of brain signal evaluation, EEG analytics, fuzzy model and temporal fractal analysis of rest state BOLD signals and brain signals are also presented. A clinical guide for general practitioners is provided along with a variety of assessment techniques such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The book is presented in two volumes, including Volume One: Imaging and Signal Analysis Techniques comprised of two Parts: Autism and Medical Imaging, and Autism and Signal Analysis. Volume Two: Diagnosis and Treatment includes Autism and Clinical Analysis: Diagnosis, and Autism and Clinical Analysis: Treatment. Presents applications of Neural Engineering techniques for diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Includes in-depth technical coverage of assessment techniques, such as the functional and structural networks underlying visuospatial vs. linguistic reasoning in autism Covers treatment techniques for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including social skills intervention, behavioral treatment, evidence-based treatments, and technical tools such as Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for ASD Written by engineers for engineers, computer scientists, researchers and clinicians who need to understand the technology and applications of Neural Engineering for the detection and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

This book comprehensively reviews mindfulness-based interventions for specific areas of functioning in children and adolescents, with refreshing insights and perspectives. Based on a solid foundation of research and practice, it presents the nature of mindfulness, examines the psychological processes that may underlie mindfulness, and explores how to assess it. Mindfulness is about how we can be attentive to and present for everything that happens in our daily lives. This book draws upon current research in the field in order to explore topics such as the fundamentals of teaching mindfulness to children and adolescents; assessment of mindfulness in this population; use of mindfulness in educational settings; and clinical applications in mental health, including substance abuse, hyperactivity, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. With contributions from internationally-renowned clinicians and scholars, this book provides a balanced account of the strengths and weaknesses of current research, and how mindfulness-based programs can be used to enhance wellbeing and reduce suffering. This book will be of great interest for academics, scholars and post graduate students involved in the study of the mental health of children and adolescents. It will also appeal to psychologists, psychiatrist, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation therapists and others, such as school counsellors, who provide clinical care to children and adolescents.

Providing a comprehensive overview of the benefits of mindfulness for children and adolescents, this edited collection offers an in-depth exploration of research, theory, and practice from international perspectives. The book written by academics and clinicians from the East and the West, first introduces mindfulness and its roots in spirituality and psychology, and then discusses its potential for enhancing the well-being of children and adolescents. It covers a wide range of topics related to the impact of mindfulness on children and adolescents, including its effects on cognitive development, academic performance, school adjustment, emotion regulation, mental health, and social functioning. The chapters also examine how mindfulness-related concepts, such as self-compassion, can benefit children with and without special needs, as well as the importance of mindful family communication and parenting for the well-being of children and adolescents. The volume offers valuable insights to researchers, educators, and practitioners who wish to help young people cultivate mindfulness and enhance well-being. The insights will also be useful for young people and parents who want to learn about the healing power and health benefits of mindfulness.