Autism and Early Years Practice: A Guide for Early Years Professionals, Teachers and Parents
Description
With every early years setting now expected to be more inclusive, early years professionals are increasingly working with children who have autism or who appear on the autistic spectrum. Autism and Early Years Practice is written with the needs of the practitioner firmly in mind. It offers advice based on the author's own experience as a practitioner and provides the reader with sound knowledge of the area which will support and inform practice.
This book shows how a cognitive perspective on the way in which individuals with autism think and learn, may be applied to particular curriculum areas. It shows how theory can influence practice and sets out a new view of the relationship between learning and autism. Staff at The Helen Allison School have looked at certain issues concerning assessment of pupils with autism and the book also looks at the new development of the outdoor education programme at Storm House School.
Autism and visual impairment: current questions and research
Description
Up to one-third of totally blind children are reported to sufferfrom a developmental disorder which has many features in commonwith autism in the sighted. The aetiological basis of this worryingcondition is discussed. There are major problems in definingdiagnostic criteria for autism in visual impairment, with thediscriminant capabilities of empirically derived rating scalesbeing compromised by overlaps between autistic symptoms andnormal 'blindisms', and schedules based on existing diagnosticcriteria being too visually dependent to allow valid administration.The need for a clearer understanding of normal social developmentin infants with visual impairment is presented as an importantprerequisite for an understanding of this developmental disorderand its early identification and remediation
Citation
Cass, H (1998) Autism and visual impairment: current questions and research, Autism, 2,2,117-138
The concept of autism focus is relatively simple. It is a workbook designed primarily for staff entering a service who know little about the core features of autism. It also suggests practical and common-sense ways of addressing the difficulties faced by people with autism.
Autism focus is divided into four main sections: an introduction to autism, working with the triad of impairments, repetitive behaviours and consistent work practices. Sections are systematic and incorporate exercises and worksheets along with teaching components.
Citation
Designed as a personal training workbook for professionals, this workbook explains in a clear and simple way what is different about people with autism. Full of ideas, information and practical suggestions, this training resource helps care workers u (ISBN 978 1 87288 980 1)
The association of Down's syndrome and autism is becoming increasinglyrecognized. We describe three individuals with this dual diagnosisand emphasize the need to consider it particularly in peoplewith abnormalities in their social, communication and languagedevelopment that are discrepant for their overall level of learningdisability. The need to make this diagnosis as early as possibleis important to ensure appropriate education and future serviceprovision.
Citation
Kent, L. , Perry, D. , and Evans, J. (1998). Autism in Downs’ syndrome: three case reports, Autism, 2, 3, 259-267.
This book is aimed at those care for and/or educate the large group of individuals with autism who also have severe learning difficulties. Its focus is children and young people but many of the issues and suggestions are equally applicable to those who are working with adults with similar problems. It is a practical guide to effective treatment and care, showing through examples how behaviour that is seen should be understood and how to build on strengths and reduce problems. The approach uses techniques from a variety of programmes and covers important topics such as the implications of the dual diagnosis; characteristic behaviour and development; fostering social interaction; educational provision; understanding, preventing and managing challenging behaviour; support for parents and sexuality and the transition to adulthood.
Citation
Jordan, R. (2001). Autism with Severe Learning Difficulty London, Souvenir Press. (ISBN 0285635999)
The first edition of Autism: Explaining the Enigma quickly became a classic because it provided the first satisfactory psychological account of what happens in the mind of a person with autism. The book proposed that the key problems were an inability to recognize and think about thoughts (theory of mind), and an inability to integrate pieces of information into coherent wholes (central coherence). It suggested that from this beginning, problems of communication, social interaction, and flexibility follow as the complex interactions of human development unfold.This updated edition reports on how this explanation has stood the test of time. A new chapter outlines developments in neuropsychological research that have taken place since the book was first published and reviews the growing body of work on the neurological basis of autism. The accessible style and structure of the original edition have been retained, with information and references updated throughout.
Citation
Frith, U. (2003). Autism: explaining the enigma. (2nd edition), Oxford: Blackwell. (ISBN 0631229019)
Childhood Autism: A Clinicians Guide to Early Diagnosis and Integrated Treatment
Description
Childhood Autism provides clinicians with a comprehensive guide for working with autistic children and their families. It offers practical assistance with early diagnosis, cutting edge treatment options and goals, interdisciplinary insights, and available resources. Empirical research findings are presented in a clear, accessible manner. Perhaps most importantly, vivid case examples bring both the therapist’s and patient’s experience to the fore as they work towards recovery.
Imitation and the Social Mind; Autism and Typical Development
Description
From earliest infancy, a typically developing child imitates or mirrors the facial expressions, postures and gestures, and emotional behavior of others. Where does this capacity come from, and what function does it serve? What happens when imitation is impaired? Synthesizing cutting-edge research emerging from a range of disciplines, this important book examines the role of imitation in both autism and typical development. Topics include the neural and evolutionary bases of imitation, its pivotal connections to language development and relationships, and how early imitative deficits in autism might help explain the more overt social and communication problems of older children and adults.
Songs of the Gorilla Nation: My Journey Through Autism
Description
In this thought-provoking memoir, Dawn Prince-Hughes traces her personal growth from undiagnosed autism to the moment, as a young woman, when she entered the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and became immediately fascinated with the gorillas. By observing them and, later, working with them, Prince-Hughes was finally able to emerge from her solitude and connect to living beings in a way she had never previously experienced.
