Understanding Autism A Guide For Parents And Teachers

Presents best practices, derived from research, to supporting, educating, and caring for children on the autism spectrum.

During the past decade of working with children with autism, I have found that misconceptions abounds. It is not certain why some people are wired cognitively different, appears and behaves differently, nor is it certain why rainbows arise. The fact remains that these events occur and must be embraced. Working with children who have autism have not always been easy neither has it been difficult. I have felt joy in the little progress made. I have also expressed frustration at my inability to fully understand the condition and thereby have the ability to effect change. Here lies the crux of the matter, the desire to gain information in order to manipulate changes, in effect to change a person to become like everyone else? No one can do that moreover, it is a wrong approach, best to work with what is now; seek not to improve on creation and reinvent a new person. Autism is constant; autism is predictable; autism is unvarying in its behavior, its rigidity and its resistance to change.

Understanding Autism: A Guide for Parents and Teachers emerged out of Dr. Onita Nakra’s practical experience working with children with autism, and their families. She believes that accurate and early diagnosis of autism is essential as it enables the family to begin their journey with intentional, purposeful understanding. The label of autism upholds the child’s unique ability. The book thoroughly examines the many defining characteristics of autism using case studies and exemplars from Onita’s professional practice. The book also discusses research-based interventions useful for the child’s learning. Onita’s personal belief reflects throughout the book – each child with autism shines in their own light, reflecting amazing facets of humanity. Understanding Autism: A Guide for Parents and Teachers is Onita Nakra’s second book. Her first book titled, Children and Learning Difficulty is now in its second edition.

Autism is in the public spotlight now more than ever as new research and information appears almost daily. Although in many ways this is a positive development it also presents challenges to families and practitioners who want to keep up with the latest developments and are left to sift through new information by themselves to see what is credible and relevant for them.Each of us needs a personal research assistant who can determine which information we need to pay attention to and let us know how it might affect our daily work and the children we are living with or serve. Since we each don’t have our own research assistants on staff, I am delighted to recommend this wonderful book by Fred Volkmar and Lisa Wiesner. Both of these talented professional leaders have combined their scientific skills and understanding of the field with great practical experience and ideas about how research can be translated into clinical practice. The result is a book that provides the best and most comprehensive information about recent scientific developments and a splendid practical guide for how they are being implemented and what we are learning in the process. The issues are presented in all of their complexity but translated into language that is clear, direct, and easy to follow. The format also lends itself to understanding the complex issues and their implications through excellent charts, question and answer sections, and chapters that vary from describing diagnostic issues to stating very specifically how to expand and evaluate the services one is receiving. The comprehensive references and lists of additional resources also add greatly to the overall package. As a professional dedicated to understanding scientific advances and helping families and teachers to utilize them most effectively, I am very pleased to have an ally like this book available. I am very grateful to the authors for providing a very credible, practical, and relevant addition to our field to help the many advocates and family practitioners to better understand the exciting new developments and how they can be implemented in our day to day work. Those taking the time to read through this superb volume will find it time well spent that pays back dividends in many different ways. —FOREWORD by Gary B. Mesibov, Ph.D., Professor and Director of TEACCH, Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Before you plunge into selecting an autism treatment it's important to know what your options are, and how to evaluate whether a treatment is working. The autism world is filled with new and alternative treatments - some of which seem to hold some promise, and many are expensive. Find out what's out there, what seems to work for whom, and how to figure out whether a treatment is working well for your child. An in depth report on autism has been generated to give you the facts about the disorder. The most recent research will be discussed along with helpful hints in how to communicate, educate, and deal with the stress and confusion that surrounds the world of autism. It offers in-depth analysis of evidence-based treatments for young children, providing coverage on interventions within social skills training, school curricula, communication and speech training, and augmentative communication. It also covers treatments for adolescents and adults, including vocational programs, social integration programs, and mental health resources. Finally a one of a kind guide that answers all the questions the parent or a teacher of an autistic child would have. Filled with informative literature the reader will get the real facts about autism and learn how to cope with the stress of raising and teaching an autistic child. You will learn what autism is and you will learn how to deal with the problems associated with it. Not only is there monetary value in the information you will receive, but you will value in the information. From toilet training to childproofing you house, this e-book will answer all the questions you have about why your child is different and what you can to do to help them on their journey through life. You will be able to easy reference the table of contents to find just what you need for every autistic question or circumstance that comes up. You can learn about autism, what research is being done, how to care for and educate an autistic child and much more...

This workbook expands upon the authors? Teaching Children with Autism to Mind-Read: A Practical Guide to present the most effective approaches, strategies, and practical guidelines to help alleviate social and communication problems in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Complements the best-selling Teaching Children with Autism to Mind-Read: A Practical Guide for use in practical settings Answers the need for more training of professionals in early interventions for children assessed with ASD called for by the National Plan for Autism Written by a team of experts in the field Covers issues such as how to interpret facial expressions; how to recognize feelings of anger, sadness, fear and happiness; how to perceive how feelings are affected by what happens and what is expected to happen; how to see things from another person?s perspective; and how to understand another person?s knowledge and beliefs

The book's emphasis on types of assessment, genetic testing and counseling, and medical and psychological treatment will be exceedingly useful to health care providers navigating the new diagnostic criteria introduced in DSM-5.