"Michael's autism, whether a condition or a disorder, was distrubingly detailed in The Color Red, Julie Jurgens-Shimek's first account of her son's developmental disorder. Shock, fear, and frustration prevailed--that is until displaced by acceptance, faith, and love. Autism Is a Four-Letter Word: Love is the story of that journey. The story is poignant: Some of the antics are humorous; others depict day-to-day living at home and at school. Overall, the message of Autism Is a Four-Letter Word ... is a cry for help--help from local, state, and federal jurisdictions, from politicians, from lobbyists to fund the research and facilities that will keep our autistic children safe, that will provide early education to teach self care, social, and communication skills. If you have a child with autism, this book is a must-read. Autism Is a Four-Letter Word ... is a book of comfort and support for other families of autistic and special-needs children. It will make you laugh; it will make you cry; and it may make your blood pressure spike. Julie Jurgens-Shimek gives voice to families of autistics who feel they are alone, to let them know they are not. She is eager to share her experiences, to lend courage to any who are affected, and to develop a unified cry from all in the bewildering world of autism. Autism Is a Four-Letter Word ... is a powerful account of the progress that is possible, that against formidable challenges, the Shimeks have learned how best to play the hand. When love prevails, Michael thrives as his journey continues."--

"Michael's autism, whether a condition or a disorder, was distrubingly detailed in The Color Red, Julie Jurgens-Shimek's first account of her son's developmental disorder. Shock, fear, and frustration prevailed--that is until displaced by acceptance, faith, and love. Autism Is a Four-Letter Word: Love is the story of that journey. The story is poignant: Some of the antics are humorous; others depict day-to-day living at home and at school. Overall, the message of Autism Is a Four-Letter Word ... is a cry for help--help from local, state, and federal jurisdictions, from politicians, from lobbyists to fund the research and facilities that will keep our autistic children safe, that will provide early education to teach self care, social, and communication skills. If you have a child with autism, this book is a must-read. Autism Is a Four-Letter Word ... is a book of comfort and support for other families of autistic and special-needs children. It will make you laugh; it will make you cry; and it may make your blood pressure spike. Julie Jurgens-Shimek gives voice to families of autistics who feel they are alone, to let them know they are not. She is eager to share her experiences, to lend courage to any who are affected, and to develop a unified cry from all in the bewildering world of autism. Autism Is a Four-Letter Word ... is a powerful account of the progress that is possible, that against formidable challenges, the Shimeks have learned how best to play the hand. When love prevails, Michael thrives as his journey continues."--

Covering intermediate skills such as comprehension of abstract language, social and play skills, emotional and behavioral regulation, and academic skills, this comprehensive ABA curriculum has been developed specifically for individuals on the autism spectrum with a developmental age of approximately 4-7 years. Evidence-based, the resource guides instructors step-by-step through using ABA to teach 150 intermediate skills. The program can be individualized to meet the needs and interests of the individual, and instructions are given on how to do this. Accompanying online downloadable content contains the teaching materials needed to implement the program, including over 1000 printable color picture cards and worksheets, handy printable copies of the curriculum programs, data forms and checklists. The authors also provide guidance on creating an effective ABA teaching environment, as well as a wealth of practical teaching strategies for ensuring therapy success. This is an unparalleled resource for professionals working with children with ASDs who are looking for a robust and ready-to-implement ABA curriculum. It will be a valuable tool for behaviour analysts, teachers, psychologists, occupational therapists, and students in these fields, as well as to parents working with professionals to implement an ABA program.

From leading authorities, this state-of-the-art manual presents the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), the first comprehensive, empirically tested intervention specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. Supported by the principles of developmental psychology and applied behavior analysis, ESDM’s intensive teaching interventions are delivered within play-based, relationship-focused routines. The manual provides structured, hands-on strategies for working with very young children in individual and group settings to promote development in such key domains as imitation; communication; social, cognitive, and motor skills; adaptive behavior; and play. Implementing individualized treatment plans for each child requires the use of an assessment tool, the Early Start Denver Model Curriculum Checklist for Young Children with Autism. A nonreproducible checklist is included in the manual for reference, along with instructions for use; 8½" x 11" checklists are sold separately in sets of 15 ready-to-use booklets. See also the authors' related parent guide, An Early Start for Your Child with Autism.

Many people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are remarkably proficient at remembering how things look and sound, even years after an event. They are also good at rote learning and establishing habits and routines. Some even have encyclopaedic memories. However, all individuals with ASD have difficulty in recalling personal memories and reliving experiences, and less able people may have additional difficulty in memorising facts. This book assembles research on memory in autism to examine why this happens and the effects it has on people's lives. The contributors utilise advances in the understanding of normal memory systems and their breakdown as frameworks for analysing the neuropsychology and neurobiology of memory in autism. The unique patterning of memory functions across the spectrum illuminates difficulties with sense of self, emotion processing, mental time travel, language and learning, providing a window into the nature and causes of autism itself.

Explores representations of ‘high-functioning’ adult autism in autobiographical, scientific and fictional texts to demonstrate the value of Cultural Studies towards understanding autism as a subjective condition and social category.

This third edition is a foundational text that has been updated and expanded to prepare educators, therapists, and other care providers with vital knowledge and practical skills to support diverse learners on the autism spectrum. Covering an expanse of fundamental topics, this edited volume features new directions in research and practice that are essential to understanding the ever-changing field of autism. Along with new chapters from leading experts (including those who identify as autistic), this revision places greater emphasis on the intersection of neurodevelopmental differences with ethnicity, race, culture, language, gender expression, and socioeconomic experiences. The diverse disciplines and perspectives presented provide a foundation on how these students learn and how best to provide them with effective teaching, therapy, and social supports. This book equips readers with knowledge and skill to competently apply reflective and humanistic practices that prioritize the preferences, strengths, and values of autistic learners from all walks of life.