Given the significant core deficits in social interaction and communication that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) demonstrate, it is critical to understand and develop interventions which directly address these needs. This book considers the theoretical and practical implications of developing and implementing peer-based, group-focused therapeutic approaches with children on the autism spectrum. Albert Cotugno describes the theoretical underpinnings of an intervention model based on cognitive developmental principles, and explains why a group approach is best suited to address and remediate an ASD child's social deficiencies. Group Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders shows how to implement skill-based instructional approaches and presents strategies to assess the short- and long-term effectiveness of this type of therapy, both within the group and in external settings. The book is intended for school, clinic, and general practitioners involved in group work with special needs children, professionals working with ASD children, and anyone interested in using group interventions as a means to treat social competency and social skills deficits.

Young people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often feel uncomfortable and anxious in social situations, but socializing with classmates and colleagues can be made easier - and more enjoyable - with Guiding Toward Growth group sessions. John Merges' simple yet effective program for teaching social enjoyment skills is based on the concept that there are ten hurdles that make it challenging for people with ASD to enjoy social interaction. This book guides the reader through planning, running, and assessing group sessions that have been designed to help participants overcome these hurdles, interact with confidence, and ultimately enjoy more independent and fulfilling lives. As social interaction is a vital element of any work environment, this book also teaches young adults with ASD an important employment skill. This adaptable book can be used with a wide range of ages and communicative abilities, and will be an invaluable resource for all professionals working with groups of children and young people with ASD.

This book discusses the deficits in the development and presentation of play behavior and social skills that are considered central characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The book explains why play provides an important context for social interactions and how its absence can further exacerbate social deficits over time. It highlights the critical roles of social skills in development, and the social, cognitive, communication, and motor components of play. Chapters offer conceptually and empirically sound play and social skills interventions for children with ASD. Play activities using diverse materials and including interactions with peers and parents are designed to promote positive, effective social behaviors and encourage continued development. The book provides unique strategies that can be tailored to fit individual children’s strengths and deficits. Topics featured in this book include: Naturalistic Teaching Strategies (NaTS) for developing play and social skills. Teaching play and social skills with video modeling. Peer-mediated intervention (PMI) strategies that promote positive social interactions between children with ASD and their peers. Visual Activity Schedules and Scripts. Parent-implemented play and social skills intervention. Play and Social Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is a must-have resource for researchers, clinicians, and graduate students in clinical child and school psychology, behavioral therapy/rehabilitation, social work, public health, and related psychology, education, and behavioral health fields.

This book includes a short, easy-to-read theoretical background to ASD focusing on the underlying impairments and their impact on sensory processing, motor development, play, language and communication skills, social skills, emotional development and behaviour for the relevant age group. Each developmental area is intrinsically linked and progress in one aspect of development is dependent on progress in another so a multi-disciplinary approach is essential. All the books examine the role of various individual professionals while emphasising the need to develop a multi-disciplinary approach combining their areas of expertise. The book also describes a multi-disciplinary approach to groupwork providing practical advice and photocopiable resources to enable readers to: assess individual needs; organise groups (including group members, venue and transport); set individual group targets; plan group sessions (examples of activities for each developmental area are provided); and, evaluate progress. It offers ideas for developing good teamwork, including peer review, and working towards a trans-disciplinary approach where professionals can step into each others' roles where appropriate. This title features 256pp, A4, and it is wire-o-bound. It is suitable for children of ages 11-16.

"Groupwork for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Ages 3-5" is the first of three books promoting a multidisciplinary approach to working with children on the autism spectrum. The author team of speech & language therapists and occupational therapists have used their experience of working together in this way to create a practical resource for professionals working with children with ASD in small groups. The book aims to develop the children's skills in seven key areas of development: Communication & language; Socialisation; Play; Sensory; Motor; Behaviour; and, Emotional. Case studies, working examples, photocopiable checklists, assessment forms and session sheets are provided for group facilitators to: assess individual needs; set individual targets; create personalised programmes; plan & run group sessions; evaluate progress; and, carry out peer reviews. Forty photocopiable activities, differentiated according to the developmental area being targeted as well as the developmental level of the child, are also included. "Groupwork for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Ages 3-5" provides an invaluable resource for speech & language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, play therapists, family therapists, teachers, support staff and all those working to develop the children's skills in small groups. Parents and carers are actively encouraged to participate in groupwork with their child. 'I enjoyed joining in the group and being part of my child's therapy'.

Thousands of edcuators have turned to You're Going to Love This Kid! for fresh ways to welcome and teach students with autism; and now the book teachers trust is fully revised and more practical than ever. Gathering feedback from teachers across the US during her popular workshops, autism expert Paula Kluth targeted this second edition to the specific needs of today's primary- and secondary-school educators. Still packed with the ready-to-use tips and strategies that teachers are looking for, the new edition gives readers: dozens of NEW reproducible forms, checklists, and planning tools; photos of curricular adaptations, sensory supports and classroom scenes; throughly revised and updated chapters on today's hottest topics; a study guide with challenging discussion questions for each chapter; and new ideas throughout the book based on the latest reasearch on autism, inclusion, literacy, and behaviour. Readers will also get updates on all of the other topics covered in the first edition, including fostering friendships, building communication skills, planning challenging and multidimensional lessons, and adapting the curriculum and the physical environment. And with the new first-person stories from people with autism and their teachers and parents, readers will have a better understanding of students on the spectrum and how to include them successfully.

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.