Similar to a handbook in its comprehensive description of the theory and research supporting current practices in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders, this interdisciplinary text shows how the existing knowledge base can be used to explore promising new possibilities related to the field’s many unanswered questions. Key features include the following: Comprehensive – This is the first book to consider the history and current state of autism as a field in transition, to cover its varied approaches and philosophies, and to describe the interventions used throughout the developmental cycle. Cross Disciplinary – Serving students with autism necessitates communication and collaboration among professionals from several disciplines as well as family members. The editors have, therefore, brought together divergent perspectives, theories and philosophies in order to demonstrate that scientific evidence, rather than educational orientation, must determine which practices should be selected for use in particular situations. Research Based – Whereas many existing texts advocate a particular type of treatment, this one recognizes that interventions must be selected and evaluated based on the scientific evidence of their effectiveness. Integrated Methodology –Chapter authors consider findings from studies that employed single-subject designs, experimental large-scale studies, and qualitative methodology. The inter-relatedness of therapies and disciplines will be highlighted throughout. Expertise – The volume editors are all highly visible researchers in autism and developmental disabilities. Likewise, each chapter is directed by a senior, highly accomplished author who is nationally recognized for his/her work in the topic being addressed. This book is appropriate for practicing professionals in education and psychology and for speech/language therapists and other clinicians. It is also suitable as a graduate level text in these fields.

Educating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Partnering with Families for Positive Outcomes focuses on practical strategies for educating children with autism spectrum disorders in the classroom. Additional features describe how to partner with families in the implementation of many of the strategies, giving voice to parents, based on recent quantitative and qualitative research. Case studies developed from real interviews with parents and educators open each chapter, and the book focuses on what "works" and what "does not work" in their collaborative experiences.

Educating Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Model for High-Quality Coaching offers a unique coaching model with a practical approach for special education teachers and related service providers who face the challenge of providing effective support to students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By empowering special education and speech-language pathologists to participate as coaches, they can go beyond simple accommodations to actively promote a less restrictive setting, dynamically assess skills, deliver effective instructional and behavioral programming, and effectively build a coaching network to engage students throughout the school day. Provided in this text are vignettes that illustrate the reality of special education. Additionally, approaches for addressing the real-word needs of students with ASD are provided, along with evidence-based support that describes the positive results of the strategies described. This text also introduces coaching methods that will guide teachers and instructional staff to create and maintain a "solutions-focused" coaching community. The first section of the book presents a multi-tiered model for providing coaching at varying levels of support intensity, along with the numerous important considerations involved in implementing effective coaching supports. The second section presents an outline of effective practices in utilizing coaching strategies to support teachers in planning for the instruction of meaningful skills to students with ASD utilizing a team-based, collaborative coaching model. The third section provides numerous practical, evidence-based strategies to be used by coaches and teachers in teaching meaningful skills to students with ASD. The final chapter addresses critical issues involved in building the capacity of districts to evaluate, oversee and support the effective coaching of teachers in providing evidence-based practices to students with ASD. Educating Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder serves as a clinical guide and delivers a practical discussion of high-quality coaching as an emerging best practice for supporting special educators (teachers and paraprofessionals) as well as school-based service providers (speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists). It is a valuable primary text for special education teachers in training, a resource for professional development personnel, and a tool for researchers and graduate students in education and teaching programs. Key features include: Chapter objectivesReal-life vignettesReproducible formsSummary questions

This book addresses the difficult challenges that children with autism present educators. By comprehensively examining the scientific knowledge underlying educational practices, programs and strategies in China and Finland, it provides valuable information for parents, administrators, researchers, and policy makers. This book examines the following fundamental issues related to the education of children with autism: •How children's specific diagnoses should affect educational assessment and planning •How we can support the families of children with autism •Features of effective instructional and comprehensive programs and strategies •How we can better prepare teachers, school staff, professionals and parents when it comes to educating children with autism •What policies at the national and local levels will best ensure appropriate education, examining strategies and resources needed to address the rights of children with autism to appropriate education

Educating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Partnering with Families for Positive Outcomes focuses on practical strategies for educating children with autism spectrum disorders in the classroom. Additional features describe how to partner with families in the implementation of many of the strategies, giving voice to parents, based on recent quantitative and qualitative research. Case studies developed from real interviews with parents and educators open each chapter, and the book focuses on what “works” and what “does not work” in their collaborative experiences. Key Features Case studies with "What Would You Do" questions offer real life scenarios that allow readers to apply their understanding of the chapter's contents to a situation they may encounter. Theory Into Practice (T.I.P) boxes promote self-reflection and an opportunity to apply material in real-world scenarios. A section of every chapter is devoted to how to collaborate with families to implement the chapter's specific strategies not just at school but also at home. Inclusion tips provide ways to implement the chapter's strategy for teachers in general education classrooms with children with ASD.

This book presents an international research-based framework that has empowered parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to become critical decision makers to actively guide their child’s learning and self-advocacy. Parents can use this framework to identify their child’s vision and dreams, and to work with educators and service providers to establish specific learning goals and to implement effective interventions and programs that enable their child to achieve those goals and realise their vision for the future. The book begins by reviewing available research on evidence-based practice for children with ASD and outlining the Cycle of Learning decision-making framework for parents and professionals. Throughout the remainder of the book, case studies are presented to illustrate the ways in which different parents have successfully utilised this framework to develop effective plans for their child and to advocate for learning and education programs for both their child and other children with ASD in school and community settings. In addition, it highlights concrete examples of how parents have used the framework to empower their children with ASD to develop their self-awareness and self-determination, and to be able to self-advocate as they move through adolescence and into adult life.

This book provides a detailed and comprehensive description of how to organize a classroom for a student with autism. Teachers will find tips on creating a supportive environment, using visual strategies and tools, and selecting curriculum resources, as well as specific strategies for teaching new skills, promoting independence, and facilitating integration in the general education curriculum. Novice teachers who work with students with autism will be able to pick up the book and follow the step-by-step instructions, thus ensuring that students are provided with the most up-to-date services in the field. Numerous sample materials and reproducible data collection forms make this guide an extremely useful tool for the classroom educator.

Createan appropriate learning environment to help children with ASD develop...

This guide discusses autism in a straightforward way, describes the major types of autism, and discusses the major characteristics associated with the disorder. Chapters help teachers understand the ways children with autism relate to the world and focus on setting up a proactive preschool environment.