An essential guide for any professionals working with autistic children and young adults, this book provides expert insights which need to be considered by professionals, parents and autistic people alike. It covers key themes such as anxiety and wellbeing, transition into adulthood, sexuality, intersectionality, and many more. A unique blend of first-hand experience, parental guidance and professional advice is provided from prominent figures in the autism field to offer you an overview of the important issues of today, to help you understand and better support autistic young people.

Now in its third edition, Educational Psychology offers a comprehensive overview of how key advances in social, developmental and cognitive psychology impact upon the role of educational psychologists working today. Written by leading researchers, the book also explores controversies and dilemmas in both research and practice, providing students with a balanced and cutting-edge introduction to both the field and the profession. Fully revised throughout, and with a new chapter exploring how educational psychologists work with schools to support children and young people’s mental health, this third edition aims to encourage students to integrate their understanding of core psychological disciplines, as well as to consider what ‘evidence-informed practice' really means. Organised into two broad sections related to learning and to social, emotional and mental health, the book features a selection of vignettes from educational psychologists working in a range of contexts, as well as tasks and scenarios to support a problem-orientated approach to study. By integrating both research and everyday practice, the book is unique in engaging a critical appreciation of both the possibilities and limitations of educational psychology. lt is the ideal book for any student wishing to engage with this important and evolving field of study.

In today's world, the prevalence of autism affecting approximately 1 in 100 children underscores the scarcity of proficient professionals capable of aiding those with autism and other neurodiverse conditions. The absence of cohesive and interdisciplinary training programs exacerbates the hurdles faced by these individuals, impeding their access to high-quality care and assistance. Consequently, the needs of neurodiverse individuals remain insufficiently met, and those with autism confront impediments to realizing their full potential due to a deficiency in specialized expertise and comprehensive support. To counteract this issue, Autism, Neurodiversity, and Equity in Professional Preparation Programs, edited by Shanna Jamanis and Dawn Vogler-Elias, offer a transformative remedy. This publication offers a comprehensive and multifaceted examination of professional preparation initiatives centered on neurodiversity, integrating perspectives from disability studies, neurodiversity, diversity, equity, and inclusion, to furnish a conceptual structure that empowers professionals across diverse fields. The book's interdisciplinary approach aims to equip professionals and students across domains such as education, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, nursing, social work, and creative arts therapy. With its array of chapters encompassing case studies, instructional activities, and program narratives, readers acquire valuable insights and pragmatic tools for effectively supporting neurodiversity. The editors' commitment to embracing diverse viewpoints ensures a nuanced comprehension of neurodiversity support, fostering empathy, and elevating the standard of care. Autism, Neurodiversity, and Equity in Professional Preparation Programs by Shanna Jamanis and Dawn Vogler-Elias provides a much-needed resource to tackle the global challenge of aiding those with autism and neurodiversity. By advancing interdisciplinary knowledge and evidence-based practices, this publication not only tackles the dearth of proficient professionals but also champions a more inclusive and compassionate world. For academics, scholars, and practitioners spanning various disciplines, this book serves as a crucial steppingstone toward establishing more equitable and empowering environments for individuals with autism and neurodiversity.

This guidebook is designed to be used alongside the storybook The Man-Eating Sofa (for 8-12 year-olds). Written in an engaging and accessible style, chapters explore the educational, social and psychological impact of autism and social communication and interaction difficulties (SCID). Strategies are provided to help parents and practitioners recognise and support these issues in the school environment. A chapter-by-chapter exploration of The Man-Eating Sofa provides an opportunity to generate discussion and facilitate understanding of autism and SCID amongst young people and adults who might not have considered the impact of social communication difficulties upon day-to-day life. Key features include: an accessible introduction to autism and SCID discussion points for use with The Man-Eating Sofa, to accompany young people’s reading of the story strategies are provided to support the education, mental health and wellbeing of young people who find social communication, interaction, sensory processing and emotional regulation challenging in mainstream educational settings. This is an essential resource to help parents, teachers and professionals understand and support pupils who are autistic as well as those who find social communication a challenge in the mainstream classroom.

This book is essential for anyone interested in learning about the therapeutic potential of orthodox and state-of-the-art supports for autistics. Using research evidence, supports are rated using a Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Tin category system. ‘Gold’ is extremely promising and use with confidence, whereas ‘Tin’ is extremely unsafe and potentially life threatening. This book, however, is more complex than just presenting literature reviews about supports for autistics and then rating the efficacy of the support. In addition to this, the insights and experiences of autistics about the autism supports examined are presented. Such testimonials provide an insider perspective from those who ultimately stand to benefit or suffer after receiving a support – namely autistics themselves.

This book offers a holistic evidence-based approach to special educational needs and inclusive practice. Psychology has an important role within the inclusive process, but it can be misused and so must be understood and adopted critically and reflectively to prevent exclusion. The book draws on psychological and educational theories, research, and practice in order to increase students' and practitioners' understanding of issues related to identifying, assessing, and supporting learners with neurodivergences, difficulties, or Special Educational Needs (SEN) within educational settings. It includes chapters that explore different SEN and the methods and approaches used to identify and support students. These approaches exist along what we propose is the ‘special and inclusive education continuum’. Drawing on theory and research from psychology, readers will evaluate and apply a range of different approaches, while reflecting on and developing their own practice. This book provides in-depth consideration of some of the most common SEN and issues of co-occurrence. It also explores prevalent but often neglect SEN, including socio-economic disadvantages, additional language learning, migrants and refugees, and why gifted students have SEN.

This handbook provides educators and school practitioners with a practical resource to successfully support speaking and non-speaking autistic students in K–12 school settings. Each chapter discusses an approach founded on current research on the self-reported school priorities of autistic students, which historically have been overlooked in research and education. Incorporating the views and experiences of autistic students promotes the use of human-rights-centered pedagogies and ensures that evidence-based practices are both ethical and effective in supporting the learning and well-being success of autistic students. The informative content challenges assumptions of normative ability and highlights opportunities where evidence-based practices to support autistic students can be used alongside inclusive best practices to improve the educational experiences of all students. This handbook's flexible and easy-to-use design can be used in its entirety or as a reference tool for school practitioners, teachers, and parents.

Drawing together contributions from experts at the forefront of research in the field, Supporting Social Inclusion for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders demonstrates that social inclusion is a defining feature of successful education of students with a spectrum disorder. Divided into three parts, this book begins by proposing a contemporary and operational definition of social inclusion that will help facilitate active engagement by all stakeholders involved in supporting social inclusion within educational settings. The relationship between well-developed social skills and positive social outcomes is also explored, and subsequent chapters explicate and contextualize social inclusion across a range of educational settings. The final chapters present case studies and viewpoints from stakeholders central to the successful social inclusion of students with the disorder. Through discussion of its findings, this book provides the reader with a deep understanding of social inclusion and confirms its importance in facilitating positive educational outcomes for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A unique contribution to the field, this book will be of key interest to postgraduates, researchers and academics in the area of inclusive education and Autism Spectrum Disorder. It will also appeal to those who research, study and work in the areas of special and inclusive education, and developmental psychology.

This is the companion guide for further education staff working with students on the autism spectrum who are using Getting the Best Out of College for Students on the Autism Spectrum: A Workbook for Entering Further Education. The workbook takes a holistic approach and focusses on the practicalities of college life for autistic students transitioning to further education, as well as those already there. It covers everything needed to support autistic students including getting to college, how to handle new sensory issues, peer relationships, where to go for help, time management, and exam anxiety. This guide follows the structure of the workbook Getting the Best Out of College for Students on the Autism Spectrum. For each chapter, there is a parallel chapter in the student guide that directly addresses the students' needs. This guide includes case studies, contextual information and frameworks to help adults work through the exercises and interactive elements with the student.