Definition: Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. It's called a spectrum disorder because it varies widely in presentation and severity.Symptoms: Symptoms of autism can include challenges in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication differences, and unique strengths and differences.Diagnosis: Autism is typically diagnosed in childhood, often by the age of two, through a combination of behavioral observations, interviews with caregivers, and developmental assessments.Causes: The exact cause of autism is not known, but it's believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Treatment: While there's no cure for autism, early intervention and therapy can help individuals with autism develop skills, manage challenges, and lead fulfilling lives. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills training are common interventions.Support: Supportive environments, including understanding family, friends, and educators, are crucial for individuals with autism. Many communities offer support groups, advocacy organizations, and resources for families affected by autism.Understanding: It's important to recognize that each person with autism is unique, with their own strengths, challenges, and preferences. Acceptance and understanding are key in fostering inclusive communities.Remember, this is just a brief overview.

Based on the award-winning Autism Friendly Training Program, created by the non-profit organization STARS for Autism, this book empowers the everyday professional to a better understanding and skill in working with, interacting with, serving, and teaching children and adults who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). After a thorough explanation of ASD and how it affects children, adults, families, and communities, this guide describes the Autism Friendly Training Program and gives the reader insight into what it means to become autism friendly and to be an autism friendly training presenter. This text will enable those who are neurotypical to gain insight into the person, the stories, and the lives of those with ASD. It is a guide to understanding autism at a deeper level to enable relationship and support processes that define being autism friendly. Providing the needed information, tools, and confidence to be autism friendly, this book will be beneficial to any and all businesses, organizations, groups, communities, families, and individuals who work with, serve, interact with, teach, parent, and experience life with an autistic person.

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.

All About Autism is an accessible and informative guide for secondary school teachers, designed to increase their knowledge and understanding of autism and enhance their toolkit with practical, adaptable strategies to support autistic learners in their care. The book initially explores key traits and terminology, debunks myths and misconceptions, and shines a light on the strengths and abilities of autistic learners. It then introduces readers to a range of easy-to-implement ideas for practice and concrete solutions to provide further support, all with the child at the heart. All About Autism includes: Practical strategies tailored to the secondary key stages with current research broken down into easily digestible chunks A focus on adaptive teaching and how to implement key strategies in different subject areas Guidance on a range of topics, from supporting students with mental health and anxiety to managing group work, class work, writing difficulties, homework and exams Strategies to support an understanding of puberty, relationships and sex education Approaches to foster autistic pride and to promote positive attitudes to diversity in all its forms Easy to dip in and out of chapters with signposting to further research, resources and support Taking a celebratory approach, the guide focuses on difference rather than deficit and weaves together the voices of autistic learners and parents alongside practical examples of what high-quality and adapted teaching should look like. It will be essential reading for all secondary school educators, SENCOs and parents who are supporting autistic learners aged 11-16.

This book has all the essential guidance and tools that anyone working in education will need to help students on the autism spectrum perform to their best potential and stay organised and on track with their school work. The book also covers general obstacles including social situations, anxiety, mental health and the next steps after school.

Identifying and Supporting Children with Autism: A Guide for Mothers : Expert Knowledge: This eBook offers a wealth of up-to-date knowledge-based information about autism, providing mothers with an in-depth understanding of the condition and best support practices. Practical Guides: In addition to theory, the eBook presents practical guidance and strategies for facing the challenges of autism, allowing mothers to take concrete steps to help their children. Real Stories: With stories from mothers and families who have faced and overcome the challenges of autism, the eBook offers inspiration and hope, showing that it is possible to thrive on this journey. Self-Care and Mutual Support: The eBook not only addresses supporting children with autism, but also emphasizes the importance of self-care and mutual support between mothers, providing a comprehensive guide to the autism journey.

Life with a child with autism can be challenging, exhausting, and - ultimately - very rewarding. For parents, even daily activities like getting dressed or grocery shopping can become daunting exercises. Children with autism require special strategies, and parents must learn how to think with their child instead of against him. This comprehensive guide offers practical advice, reassurances, and real-life scenarios to help families get through each day. You'll discover how to: Communicate effectively with their child Find a school that meets their child's needs Handle meltdowns in public or private Learn about assistive devices Find intervention and support groups Full of useful information, expert advice, and positive techniques, this guide is the valuable tool you and your family need to make the most of every day - one interaction at a time!

This 3rd edition is a comprehensive resource guide for parents and professionals in the autism community. It presents facts, research information, and effective treatment options in a clear and concise way. Learn about: diagnostic process intervention techniques therapies biomedical treatments diets and much more Every section includes a written introduction to that topic and an explanation of that topic's relevance to the field of autism, followed by a list of related resources and suggested readings. The real meat of this book is in the wide-ranging contact information: names numbers websites for clinics, medical centers, organizations, and key personnel You can spend hours Googling, or you could buy this book. Helpful sections include: Diagnosis Tests Education Biomedical Interventions Dietary Interventions Sensory/Physical therapies Intensive Interventions Music Interventions Relaxation Techniques TEC list

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

This highly practical resource book is full of realistic and achievable strategies to help teachers to support neurodiverse students in a range of situations that, whilst often seemingly insignificant, can quickly become substantial and disruptive challenges in the mainstream classroom. Written with the busy teacher in mind, chapters are easy to dip in and out of, with jargon-free language and simple explanations which are easy to understand and put into practice. Clear chapters explore a variety of situations and topics to help children engage in their learning and make the classroom a safe and inviting place to be for autistic students. Key features include: Practical and achievable strategies to support autistic students in the mainstream classroom Real-life scenarios to help you find concrete solutions to issues as they arise Memorable mantras and quick quotes to help embed strategies in everyday practice for both students and teachers Photocopiable and downloadable resource sheets Written by an advisory teacher for autism with a wealth of experience, this book will be an invaluable tool for both primary and secondary teachers in mainstream settings, as well as other education professionals.