Homeschooling the Child with Autism This practical, highly accessible guide answers parents' and professionals' questions about teaching children with autism spectrum disorders at home. The book helps parents decide whether to homeschool and guides them through the process of beginning and maintaining an effective homeschool program. All the essential questions are addressed, such as: How do you know if homeschooling is right for you and your child? Which homeschool program is best for the child's learning style and needs? How should a family get started? What is the best way to address social, behavioral, and organizational skills when teaching a child with ASD? When should you transition back to a traditional public school setting? The book also contains tips and suggestions from real-life parents who have successfully homeschooled their children with ASD and includes lists of helpful resources for homeschoolers. Praise for Homeschooling the Child with Autism "Practical advice and a wealth of resources.…This book provides a beacon of hope to families struggling with educational options for their child." —SALLY OZONOFF, PH.D., endowed professor, University of California, Davis, M.I.N.D. Institute "A must-read for parents and teachers who need guidance and encouragement while teaching children with ASD." —CATHY STENZEL, mother of a son with autism

Reaching out to everyone who lives with, cares about, or is trying to understand and help a young child who has or may have autism, this text provides expert guidance, covering the various forms of treatment and approaches available.

The early years are the most critical period of learning for a child with autism. Therapeutic art-making can be a useful tool to tap into their imaginations and help them to express their thoughts and feelings. Art as an Early Intervention Tool for Children with Autism includes practical advice on helping a child move beyond scribbling, organizing the child's environment for maximum comfort and relaxation, and providing physical and sensory support. This book is packed with tips and suggestions for how to provide art therapy for children with autism — covering topics such as the basic materials required, safety issues, how to set up a workspace, and ideas for managing difficult behavior. The author writes from a professional and personal perspective — Nicole Martin is a qualified art therapist specializing in working with children with autism, and she also has a brother with autism. Perfect for busy parents and as a practical reference for professionals such as psychologists, teachers, occupational therapists, sensory integration therapists and anyone working with a child on the autism spectrum.

Guiding readers step-by-step through the complex of symptoms, definitions, assessments and diagnoses of the variety of autism spectrum disorders, the authors provide practical strategies to improve the assessment process and help the child or adult deal with the stress of the evaluations.

Practical advice and information from the world's foremost experts on autism -- and a mother's own hard-won lessons from helping her son recover from the disorder When Karen Siff Exkorn's son, Jake, was diagnosed with autism, she struggled to pull together comprehensive information about the disorder. Fortunately, she was able to educate herself quickly, and her extensive at-home treatment of her son led to his amazing full recovery. But the journey wasn't easy, and now, in The Autism Sourcebook, Siff Exkorn offers parents the wisdom she wishes she'd had at the beginning. Recent studies show that there is a worldwide epidemic of autism. More than 1.5 million people are affected in the United States alone, with one in every 166 children diagnosed. Early detection and early intervention are two of the key factors in improving prognosis -- but too often, writes Siff Exkorn, parents get bogged down in denial or confusion about the still mysterious disorder, and are unable to take the necessary steps. Providing accessible medical information gleaned from the world's foremost experts, Siff Exkorn offers an inside look at families with children who have autism, and ties in her own firsthand experience as a parent. The author shares valuable knowledge about the following: What the diagnosis really means Understanding and accessing treatment options Knowing your child's rights in the school system Coping with common marital and familial stress Making the stigma of autism a thing of the past With extensive appendices, including the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Diagnostic Criteria for the Five Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and carefully selected lists of Internet resources, recommended readings, and top autism organizations worldwide, The Autism Sourcebook is the single most comprehensive, practical resource available to parents and loved ones of children with autism.