The fully revised second edition of this easy-to-use resource introduces the sensory differences autistic children may face, and explores how these differences can affect their ability to make sense of the world. It is invaluable in helping those adults working with autistic children to identify the possible triggers for the child’s behaviour and consider it through a sensory lens. Children have varying sensory needs so the book offers both a wealth of enjoyable activities for sensory exploration and play, whilst also providing suggestions for strategies and ideas that can be used at home or in school to create an autism-friendly environment. This book: Highlights the possible link between behaviours that challenge and sensory difficulties for autistic children. Provides practical and accessible resources, helping parents, carers and practitioners to gain a greater understanding of sensory differences. Includes an online assessment with accompanying aids to create a visual representation of the child’s sensory needs. With both downloadable and photocopiable resources, this practical guide will be an essential tool for parents, carers and practitioners working with autistic children, enabling them to to create a visual profile of areas of difficulty which can form the basis of personalised strategies and fun sensory activities to support the child.
This book delves into the significant and timely intersection of cultural heritage, neurodiversity, and smart museums, exploring how various immersive techniques can create more inclusive and engaging heritage experiences for neurodiverse audiences. By focusing on these three aspects, the book aims to contribute significantly to the fields of cultural heritage, neuro-inclusivity, and smart museums, offering practical solutions and examples for heritage professionals and researchers. The book highlights the importance of preserving and enhancing cultural heritage by incorporating immersive technologies and inclusive practices that cater to the needs of neurodiverse audiences. It emphasizes the need for museums and heritage sites to be more inclusive and accessible for neurodivergent individuals, showcasing best practices and innovative techniques to engage this audience effectively.
This research-based curriculum features 25 lessons that use the latest information about interoception, the emotional highway between our body and brain, to teach self-regulation skills in a developmental progression from start to finish.
Understanding Sensory Dysfunction is a clear and comprehensive resource to identifying and addressing sensory dysfunction in children, using a range of practical strategies to help them reach their full potential at home, at school and in the community. The authors explain the causes, contributing factors, symptoms and associated behaviors of sensory dysfunction, particularly when found in conditions such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), ADHD and bipolar disorder. Focusing on early intervention, they provide a host of tried and tested integration activities, assessment and curricular modifications, treatment options and useful equipment and resources that ultimately aim to limit or prevent the interference of sensory dysfunction with successful learning, socialization and skills development. This accessible and empowering book offers a unique approach to the condition and will help families, teachers and caregivers meet the particular needs of children with sensory dysfunction.
I offer this experience because I wished for autistic people to be fully understood through their life’s experiences. A highly beneficial read for parents/carers who want the best for their ‘person’ offering unique provision for professionals in their wish to provide the best service for people of all ages they offer support. You are invited to look through the lens of sensory processing, in depth. As the book flows, you begin to see the weave in how all of the senses are connected, giving a clear understanding of how they physically manifest for the autistic person; more importantly, it translates previously misunderstood behaviours into meaning. All behaviours are a unique language and with that communication, comes solutions directly from the autistic’s sensory perspective.
Now, more than ever, in a world of stress, disadvantage and unpredictability, schools struggle to manage the confronting needs of some of our most disadvantaged and vulnerable learners. Increasing numbers of children exhibit chronic and challenging behaviour due to their prior or current exposure to complex trauma. This type of trauma stems from repeated interpersonal harm done to children, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, significant neglect, and the experience of family or other relational violence. Complex trauma is also referred to as ‘Developmental Trauma’, ‘Type II Trauma’, ‘Big T Trauma’, and ‘Betrayal Trauma’. It disrupts necessary attachments and is often directed at infants and children by the very people they depend on for love, nurture, and protection. Complex childhood trauma can impact the neural development of children, and if not resolved, this impact can extend into adulthood and influence the future caregiving styles and behaviours of victims. Research has shown us that these learners require a ‘trauma-aware’ response. Behaviour management techniques that may work for most learners often fail when used with trauma-impacted children. This book assists educators from an individual and system perspective in developing trauma-aware education frameworks to enable learners and educators to avoid the devastating effects of complex trauma on mental health. It examines and discusses the impacts of complex and other trauma on learners and how trauma-aware education provides an informed approach to remedy these concerns. Topics covered include: • the impacts of complex trauma • the evidence-base for trauma-aware education • a paradigm shift in the way learner behaviours are ‘managed’ • effective strategies for a trauma-aware education response • working with learners who live with disability • a trauma-aware approach for early childhood education and care • maintaining well-being for educators • leadership of trauma-aware education in sites and systems.
Written by educators for educators, Introducing Autism: Theory and Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching Individuals With ASD is an introductory text offering a broad picture of Autism Spectrum Disorder for students, teachers, related service providers, and other school personnel who are engaged in the education of individuals with ASD. Introducing Autism imparts knowledge and understanding of the broad spectrum of ASD and suggests evidence-based practices to support this population. Editor Dr. Ruth Eren and the text contributors provide readers with a firm foundation of facts, strategies, and processes that help explain and address the complex profile of an individual with ASD. As a result of this understanding, current and future practitioners will be equipped with the skills and strategies to work collaboratively and effectively with their school team as they create a program for a student on the spectrum. What’s included in Introducing Autism: Content supported by case studies based in authentic educational settings Evidence-based practices suggested for use in the classroom Voices from the Spectrum sections in each chapter which feature the viewpoints from individuals on the spectrum Introducing Autism: Theory and Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching Individuals With ASD will enable universities to offer a comprehensive course that provides a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding of ASD to prepare teachers and related service providers for certification.
Anyone meeting a young child with autism for the first time will find this fully revised edition of a classic text invaluable. The authors provide parents and professionals with an insight into the nature and educational implications of autism, particularly in very young children. In a clear and sensitive style the authors: outline the characteristics of autism as they present themselves in the early years; consider the nature of autism and the issues surrounding assessment and diagnosis; offer practical strategies for effective and realistic intervention both at home and in a variety of early years settings; suggest ways to promote learning, social development, communication and appropriate behaviour; explore possibilities for enhancing access to the early years curriculum. This updated second edition includes new material relating to new statutory requirements such as Every Child Matters and Disability Equality Duty, as well as updates to different approaches to autism, assessment and behavioural issues. The authors outline the principal themes and objectives of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Inclusion Development Programme. Autism in the Early Years: A Practical Guide (Second Edition) provides accessible material, support and advice for parents, teachers and professionals who are working together in an unfamiliar area following early diagnoses of autism in young children.
In Right from the Start: A Practical Guide for Helping Young Children with Autism, Karin Donahue and Kate Crassonsassert that autistic children can be successful when parents and teachers understand key principles of autism and have the tools to help these children expand their social and emotional skills. Emphasizing the importance of self-regulation—the ability to moderate our feelings and reactions—the authors describe practical strategies to help children manage their emotions and behavior, learn social and play skills, and cope with challenging sensory experiences. Right from the Start is a needed and indispensable resource for parents, professionals, and educators. With these techniques, we can lay a positive foundation that enables autistic children to be confident and successful in any environment.
Ido in Autismland opens a window into non-verbal autism through dozens of short, autobiographical essays each offering new insights into autism symptoms, effective and ineffective treatments and the inner emotional life of a severely autistic boy. In his pithy essays, author Ido Kedar, a brilliant sixteen year old with autism, challenges what he believes are misconceptions in many theories that dominate autism treatment today while he simultaneously chronicles his personal growth in his struggles to overcome his limitations. Ido spent the first half of his life locked internally, in silence, trapped in a remedial educational system that presumed he lacked the most basic comprehension, and unable to show the world that he understood everything. But at the age of seven, Ido was finally able to show that he had an intact mind and could understand. This led to the quest to find a system of communication that he could use despite his impaired motor control. Through the use of a letter board, and now an iPad, Ido has triumphed communicatively, enabling him to flourish in a regular high school in all general education classes. But Ido has a larger goal. He does not want to be seen as an isolated autistic exception with miraculously advanced cognitive and communication abilities. He wants people to see that thousands of other severely autistic individuals have the same capacity, but remain trapped and locked-in, as he was, unable to show their true capacities. These individuals desperately need new theories and new methods to help them break free too. Of importance to neuro-researchers, educators, psychologists, doctors, parents, friends, family and people with autism, Ido in Autismland will change our collective understanding of severe autism. PRAISE FOR Ido in Autismland "There are doubtless many Idos in this world, unable to speak, yet possessing good intellectual ability and, most certainly, a rich emotional life. And yet, precisely because they cannot communicate, nonverbal individuals with autism are nearly always consigned to the junk heap of mental deficiency, branded as incapable of understanding language or even having feelings... We need to help change things for this terribly neglected group... Reading Ido's book is a good beginning." - Portia Iversen, Co-founder, Cure Autism Now and the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange Gene Bank. Author of Strange Son "Ido is a brilliant communicator. His words bring us inside the world of autism. His gift of writing enlightens, inspires, educates. Every person who loves or works with someone with autism - educator, therapist, karent, grandparent, neighbor - should read Ido in Autismland." - Elaine Hall, Author of Now I See the Moon, co-author of Seven Keys to Unlock Autism. Featured in Autism: The Musical "Ido's book touches any heart, not only because it is well written, but because it reveals a mind that has learned how to speak to the world through spelling every word on a letter board and keyboard. His book is indeed a great gift to the world. Thank you, Ido." - Soma Mukhopadhyay, Executive Director of Education, HALO, Author of Understanding Autism through Rapid Prompting Method
