Prelinguistic And Minimally Verbal Communicators On The Autism Spectrum

This book draws on contemporary theory and recent findings to provide researchers, professionals, undergraduate and graduate students with essential resources, allowing them to better understand and support children, youth and adults with autism and significant communication impairments. The book consists of 11 chapters organized into 3 sections detailing typical and atypical prelinguistic development for individuals on the autism spectrum, together with a range of assessment and intervention approaches that clinicians and educators can draw on in practice. The book adopts a lifespan perspective, recognizing that there is an important and particularly challenging sub-group of children on the spectrum who remain minimally verbal beyond the age of 8 years. Each chapter summarizes current research on a selected topic, identifies key challenges faced by researchers, educators and clinicians, and considers the implications for research and practice. The concluding chapter considers issues of research translation and how educators and clinicians can encourage the use of evidence-based practices for prelinguistic and minimally verbal individuals.

The North Carolina State Legislature's mandate to Division TEACCH has three major components. First, to provide the most up-to-date and cost effective services possible for families with autistic or similar language impaired children; second, to conduct research aimed toward the better under standing of such devastating disorders; and third, to provide training for the professionals needed to pursue these goals. One element in achieving these aims is to hold annual conferences on topics of special importance to the under standing and treatment of autism and similar disorders. In addition to training professionals and parents on the most recent de velopments in each conference topic, we are publishing a series, Current Issues in Autism, based on these conferences. These books are not, however, simply the published proceedings of the conference papers. Instead, some chapters are expanded conference presentations, whereas others come from national and in ternational experts whose work is beyond the scope of the conference, but es sential in our attempt at comprehensive coverage of the conference theme. These volumes are intended to provide the most current knowledge and profes sional practice available to us at the time.

The handbook examines the latest advancements in applied behavior analysis (ABA) as the preferred method of treatment for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It synthesizes the most current research data and trends with best-practice interventions to form a comprehensive, state-of-the-art resource. The handbook reviews ABA research and practices in depth and identifies the interventions most relevant to children across the autism spectrum. Key areas of coverage include: Foundations of applied behavior analysis. ABA treatments for disorders comorbid with autism spectrum disorder. Functional assessment for children with autism. Operational definitions as well as observing and recording data for children with autism. The relationship of measures of psychopathology and applied behavior analysis. Transitioning across tasks for children with autism, including toe walking, feeding problems, and self-help issues. Anxiety, depression, and ADHD in children with autism. The Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis for Children with Autism is an essential reference for researchers, clinicians and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and other practitioners across such interrelated disciplines as clinical child, school, and developmental psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, social work, rehabilitation medicine/therapy, pediatrics, and special education.

Communication in Autism adopts a multidisciplinary approach to explore one of the most common developmental disorders associated with communication impairment. Perhaps the most fascinating thing about communication in autism is that variation is as extreme as it could possibly be. While some individuals with autism have age-appropriate language, a number have exceptional language skills; others have little or no spoken language. In between these extremes are individuals who experience significant linguistic impairments. These impairments can affect peer relations and literacy skills. The chapters in this volume provide comprehensive coverage of both the theoretical underpinnings and the practical aspects of autistic communication. The result is a volume that showcases the wide range of methodologies being used in this field of research. It is invaluable for scientists, service providers, parents, individuals with autism, and students learning about communication and autism (e.g., in psychology, speech pathology, and education).

The authoritative guide to implementing the Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation (JASPER) intervention. With a strong evidence base, JASPER provides a clear, flexible structure to bolster early skills core to social communication development. The authors show how to assess 1- to 8-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), set treatment targets, choose engaging play materials, tailor JASPER strategies to each individual, and troubleshoot common challenges.

This book provides resources for the identification, selection, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based practices to promote positive outcomes for learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the lifespan and to enhance their quality of life. The decision-making process for identifying and selecting evidence-based practices to address the academic, behavioral, and social needs of this population of learners is discussed, followed by a systematic description of the implementation and evaluation of evidence-based practices within the context of ongoing assessment and data-based decision making. The authors present evidence-based training models for solving the common dilemmas of selecting, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based practices. Finally, the book underlines the importance of developing collaborative partnerships with families and other professionals to better address the needs of learners with autism spectrum disorder.

Education is an important aspect of the environmental influences on autism and effective education can have a significant effect on outcome for those on the autism spectrum. This handbook is a definitive resource for reflective practitioners and researchers who wish to know and understand current views of the nature of autism and best practice in educational support. It explores the key concepts, debates and research areas in the field.