Outsmarting Explosive Behavior - A Visual System of Support and Intervention for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders - is a visual model designed to help decrease, and in some cases eliminate, explosive behavior. The model's positive approach to explosive behavior uniquely eliminates the need or temptation to assign blame-to oneself or others-that otherwise often complicates the process of controlling explosive behavior. In a fold-out poster-style format, four train cars represent the stages in the cycle of explosive behavior: Starting Out Picking up Steam Point of No Return Explosion. Using this train metaphor, the parent/facilitator and student (older individuals can do it more independently) take a close look at each stage in the process and using stop, go and special stop/yield signs, identify triggers, design positive interventions to prevent the train from starting out in the first place and preventing a car from moving to the next stage. The ultimate goal is to prevent the individual train cars from hooking up, causing a runaway train ending with an explosion. The three-piece package contains: a book for facilitators that explains the model a large poster-size visual showing the train model with ready-made parts that can be personalized a workbook for the individual with AS designed to draw out the personalized interventions that will make the model work. Though designed to encourage participation by the person with explosive behavior, positive results are seen even when the model is implemented on behalf of someone unable to actively participate, such as nonreaders.

Combining their years of experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum, the authors bring practical ideas and teaching methods for offering visual supports to students with autism spectrum disorders.

“An in-depth, scientific—yet hopeful and positive—look at how the brain and body work together . . . [Dr. Martha Herbert] has developed a new way of seeing autism.”—Library Journal After years of treating patients and analyzing scientific data, Harvard Medical School researcher and clinician Dr. Martha Herbert offers a revolutionary new view of autism and a transformative strategy for dealing with it. Autism, she concludes, is not a hardwired impairment programmed into a child’s genes and destined to remain fixed forever. Instead, it is the result of a cascade of events, many seemingly minor. And while other doctors may dismiss your child’s physical symptoms—the anxiety, sensory overload, sleeplessness, frequent illnesses or seizures—as coincidental or irrelevant, Dr. Herbert sees them as vital clues to what the underlying problems are, and how to help. Drawing from the newest research, technologies, and insights, as well as inspiring case studies of both children and adults, Dr. Herbert guides you toward restoring health and resiliency in your loved one with autism. Her specific recommendations aim to provide optimal nutrition, reduce toxic exposures, limit stress, and open the door to learning and creativity. As thousands of families who have cobbled together these solutions themselves already know, this program can have dramatic benefits—for your child with autism, and for you, your whole family, and perhaps your next baby as well. “Invaluable . . . a must-read . . . Dr. Martha Herbert gets it. She not only gets it, but she puts it out there in an awesome book so the rest of us can get it, too.”—Autism Watch “[Herbert] goes further than most autism specialists. Her impressive science background merges with common sense and even intuitive sense [making] complex scientific and medical materials seamlessly blend with a holistic viewpoint.”—Relieve Autism “Hope and practical guidance . . . With this easy-to-read book, parents can gain wisdom on how to guide your child to achieve a healthy and thriving life.”—Mom Central

This title recognizes the importance of offering stabilization strategies that afford students a better regulated body, often enabling students with classic autism to increase their time in school, most of them working up to full-day participation.

In this intensely personal book, readers are swept up into a fast-paced journey of how author Judy Endow noticed her differences early on, how she eventually discovered her autism and how she embraces life autistically. From her troubled teenage years in a state institution where her coping behaviors were interpreted as defiant and oppositional, to her years in a Christian community where her behaviors were misunderstood, to a brief marriage and the birth of her three sons, Judy has emerged as a strong voice on the autism spectrum. This book shows Endow's resilience, courage, hard work, and sheer will power. Paper Words shows visually on the printed page how Endow, a highly visual thinker, translates her thoughts into words.

Newly revised and updated, this award-winning guide covers every aspect of understanding and living with autism today Comprehensive and authoritative, Autism Spectrum Disorders explains all aspects of the condition, and is written for parents, educators, caregivers, and others looking for accurate information and expert insight. Newly updated to reflect the latest research, treatment methods, and DSM-V criteria, this invaluable book covers: • The causes of autism spectrum disorders • Getting an accurate diagnosis • Treatments based on behavioral, psychological, and biomedical interventions • Coping strategies for families and education needs and programs • Living and working conditions for adults with ASD • Community interaction and teaching strategies and resources for educators and other professionals **Best Book on Autism for 2017 --Healthline