"An Autism Connection" is a book by a parent of a beautiful 11 year old boy with autism and is about sharing experiences, understanding, thoughts, feelings, tribulations, difficulties, hopes and dreams of parenting a child on the autism spectrum. Being able to relate to the similarities and differences in each others journeys, we can avail ourselves of an experience which can be cathartic, invaluable, empowering and reassuring. The author, Louise Page, is a Professional Counsellor, Illustrator, Integration Aide, A.B.A. Therapist, childrens' story writer and, above all and especially, is a devoted and proud mum. Laced with Louise's sometimes 'cheeky' sense of humour, this is a book which she is sure that many parents who have children with autism will be able to relate to.

The brain's ability to process information crucially relies on connectivity. Understanding how the brain processes complex information and how such abilities are disrupted in individuals with neuropsychological disorders will require an improved understanding of brain connectivity. Autism is an intriguingly complex neurodevelopmental disorder with multidimensional symptoms and cognitive characteristics. A biological origin for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) had been proposed even in the earliest published accounts (Kanner, 1943; Asperger, 1944). Despite decades of research, a focal neurobiological marker for autism has been elusive. Nevertheless, disruptions in interregional and functional and anatomical connectivity have been a hallmark of neural functioning in ASD. Theoretical accounts of connectivity perceive ASD as a cognitive and neurobiological disorder associated with altered functioning of integrative circuitry. Neuroimaging studies have reported disruptions in functional connectivity (synchronization of activated brain areas) during cognitive tasks and during task-free resting states. While these insights are valuable, they do not address the time-lagged causality and directionality of such correlations. Despite the general promise of the connectivity account of ASD, inconsistencies and methodological differences among studies call for more thorough investigations. A comprehensive neurological account of ASD should incorporate functional, effective, and anatomical connectivity measures and test the diagnostic utility of such measures. In addition, questions pertaining to how cognitive and behavioral intervention can target connection abnormalities in ASD should be addressed. This research topic of the Frontiers in Human Neuroscience addresses “Brain Connectivity in Autism” primarily from cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging perspectives.

Anxiety, meltdowns and emotional regulation can be hugely challenging for autistic people. This book is full of proactive strategies for understanding, accepting and respecting the processing differences in autism. It contains tools for reducing sensory, social and mental drain, and offers strategies to protect from ongoing stress and anxiety. These help minimize shutdowns and burnout, while maximizing self-esteem, autistic identity and mental health. Learn strategies for matching environmental demands to the person's processing needs, how to support vulnerabilities, and how to prevent and manage meltdowns while protecting the identify and self-esteem of the individual with autism.

This easy-to-use resource is a compilation of theoretical background and concrete approaches designed to increase understanding and outline strategies to support autistic children and young people who experience anxiety in the school environment. This resource also has practical application for parents, carers and professionals across a range of educational and community-based settings. Using real life examples and case studies, the book explains and explores the different forms of anxiety and their impact across the school environment. Each chapter offers practical information and strategies that may help reduce the negative symptoms of anxiety and help support emotional resilience across home and school environments. Key features of this book include: Chapters aimed at enhancing the understanding of anxiety in autism, considering potential triggers of anxiety, discussion on cognitive theories, social communication and means of assessing anxiety. A wealth of downloadable anxiety management strategies and resources that can be adapted and used by a teacher, parent or other professional. This resource has been developed by the multidisciplinary team at Middletown Centre for Autism, and is a useful resource for the busy parent, teacher and other professionals who wish to provide individualised support strategies for anxiety across a range of settings.

Today autism has become highly visible. Once you begin to look for it, you realize it is everywhere. Why? We all know the answer or think we do: there is an autism epidemic. And if it is an epidemic, then we know what must be done: lots of money must be thrown at it, detection centers must be established and explanations sought, so that the number of new cases can be brought down and the epidemic brought under control. But can it really be so simple? This major new book offers a very different interpretation. The authors argue that the recent rise in autism should be understood an “aftershock” of the real earthquake, which was the deinstitutionalization of mental retardation in the mid-1970s. This entailed a radical transformation not only of the institutional matrix for dealing with developmental disorders of childhood, but also of the cultural lens through which we view them. It opened up a space for viewing and treating childhood disorders as neither mental illness nor mental retardation, neither curable nor incurable, but somewhere in-between. The authors show that where deinstitutionalization went the furthest, as in Scandinavia, UK and the “blue” states of the US, autism rates are also highest. Where it was absent or delayed, as in France, autism rates are low. Combining a historical narrative with international comparison, The Autism Matrix offers a fresh and powerful analysis of a condition that affects many parents and children today.

`This is a unique book that addresses an interesting aspect of work in mental health settings.' - Mental Health OT Communication and Mental Illness is a comprehensive and practical textbook written by a multidisciplinary group of experts in the field of mental health which will be of interest to all those interested in improving their understanding of individuals with mental illness. The book is divided into three parts. The first of these offers both student and experienced clinicians in the mental health field an improved theoretical knowledge of the methods of communication commonly adopted by individuals with a variety of diagnoses of mental illness. It also provides practical suggestions of how this information can improve the individual professional's management of patients. Part Two looks at how information about communication in mental illness can influence service provision, ending with suggestions for future policy and practice. Communication and Mental Illness concludes with a final part describing the state of current research into different facets of communication and mental illness, offering an insight into the variety of research methodology and points of interest to those involved in the field.

Communication scholars have long recognized the importance of understanding associations between our bodies and communication messages and processes. In the past decade, there has been an increased focus on the role of physiology in interpersonal interactions, resulting in a surge of research exploring topics related to communication in close relationships. This growing line of research explores topics such as affectionate communication, forgiveness, communication apprehension, and social support. Contributing to the increase in physiological research on communication processes is a greater recognition of the bi-directional nature of the associations between communication and the body. Researchers study both the physiological outcomes of communication episodes (e.g., stress responses to conflict conversations), as well as the effects of physiology on communication process (e.g., the influence of hormones on post-sex communication). The Oxford Handbook of the Physiology of Interpersonal Communication offers a comprehensive review of the most prolific areas of research investigating both the physiological outcomes of interpersonal communication and the effects of physiology on interpersonal interactions. This volume brings together thirty-three leading scholars in the field and draws on research from communication studies, physiology, psychology, and neuroscience. Based on quantitative research methods, the Handbook serves as a resource for both researchers and students interested in investigating the mutual influence of physiology and communication in close relationships.

This completely revised and substantially expanded new edition embraces new developments in this rapidly developing field. Every chapter has been rewritten with the addition of new material, and a new final chapter on `Putting the Pieces Together' reflects the authors' conviction that the complexity of autism means that many kinds of information are valuable and need to be taken into account in providing therapy or teaching for children with autism. Other chapters, updated from the first edition, include a description of the latest information on the findings of brain research (put into the context of the development of the human brain and its effect on communication in early childhood), and the contributions of music therapy and psychoanalysis. A very much enlarged chapter on educational provision for children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome provides information on the latest methods for improving the learning of these children, to give them the best possible preparation for a life of greater autonomy and maximum self-satisfaction in the pleasure of human company. New appendices summarise medical diagnostic systems, checklists and questionnaires for identifying autism, and the glossary has been considerably expanded. The wealth of up-to-date information provided will be invaluable not only for researchers and students but also for psychologists, teachers and other professionals, and parents, carers and family members in search of comprehensive and helpful information.

Your personal transformation as a parent starts with observing how your child communicates and understanding the words or gestures they use to let you know their wants and needs. The road to better communication deepens as you reconnect with your own childhood… during the time you were also learning about the world, and you required patience, love, and an understanding of your uniqueness. Here is what you'll learn: • What is autism? • Learning needs of asd affected children • Strategies for teaching social skills • Strategies for teaching communication • Parent involvement, iep and an appropriate space • Much more! You’ll find simple, step-by-step sensory activities in this perfect companion book for parents and educators of children with autism spectrum disorders or sensory processing disorders. Great complementary activities and games to go along with applied behavior analysis (aba) and other autism therapies. This book is a must-have for your autism books collection.

This book sets out the type of support that is most beneficial to families following an ASD diagnosis, and equips professionals with the information and tools they need to provide that support. It is an essential resource for any professional involved in supporting families at the time of, or immediately following, an ASD diagnosis.