"Both parents and professionals who work with young children with autism should read this book." --Temple Grandin, author, Thinking in Pictures (From the Foreword) "To Miss Molly, before you started with an ABA program, we couldn't sing to you , we couldn't talk too loud, or even play music. Now you are in the drama club, dance classes, and on stage singing at the school talent show!!! I'm so proud of you." --Mother of Molly Martin, featured in Chapter 4 Triumphs in Early Autism Treatment offers a wealth of insight and hope to both parents and clinicians. This book documents the latest research that shows that children who receive Applied Behavioral Analysis treatment consistently progress in skill development. This groundbreaking treatment has allowed numerous children to reach the "best outcome status," a level of normal intellectual and educational functioning. In essence, they become indistinguishable from their peers in everyday life. A must-read for parents and clinicians, this book is the first to document "best outcome" case studies using exclusively ABA treatment. Key Features: First-hand accounts of the intellectual and behavioral progress of seven autistic children, written in a narrative style by the ABA professionals who conducted the consultations Contributors include Audrey Gifford, who is both a professional Behavioral Analyst and a parent of an autistic child who received ABA treatment Overview of autism research prior to ABA and an introduction to the development of the method Analysis of ABA treatment demonstrating why ABA is the most effective of all treatment methods

With close to 1 million children on the autism spectrum enrolled in U.S. schools, educators need effective interventions that promote young learners’ abilities and build cohesiveness in complex classroom groups. Drawing upon video recordings from 16 months in a public preschool classroom, this book depicts the emerging relationships and abilities that develop through musical play with children on the autism spectrum. Barnes explores connections among students, teachers, and a music therapist; broader questions about the needs of young children; and the benefits of incorporating music therapy in early childhood education and school-based autism services. In vivid narratives, readers follow individual preschoolers through their challenges and their steps toward shared attention, interpersonal interaction, and communication during music. This important book raises key issues about autism supports and therapies, and offers encouraging alternatives to prevailing educational and therapeutic methods. Features: Chronicles the first two-year research study inside a music therapy group for preschoolers on the spectrum in a U.S. public school.Provides lucid personal portrayals of young children, teachers, and a music therapist.Explores the challenges and encouraging possibilities of helping young children through music.Describes the use of picture schedules, augmentative and alternative communication devices, musical instruments, percussion rhythms, and visual and tactile materials in music sessions.Presents children’s engagement in vocal interplay, turn-taking, theme-and-variation exchanges, and reciprocal expressions of emotion in early childhood education.

She was a beautiful doelike child, with an intense, graceful fragility. In her first year, she picked up words, smiled and laughed, and learned to walk. But then Anne-Marie began to turn inward. And when her little girl lost some of the words she had acquired, cried inconsolably, and showed no interest in anyone around her, Catherine Maurice took her to doctors who gave her a devastating diagnosis: autism. In their desperate struggle to save their daughter, the Maurices plunged into a medical nightmare of false hopes, "miracle cures," and infuriating suggestions that Anne-Marie's autism was somehow their fault. Finally, Anne-Marie was saved by an intensive behavioral therapy. Let Me Hear Your Voice is a mother's illuminating account of how one family triumphed over autism. It is an absolutely unforgettable book, as beautifully written as it is informative. "A vivid and uplifting story . . . Offers new strength to parents who refuse to give up on their autistic children." -- Kirkus Reviews "Outstanding . . . Heartfelt . . . A lifeline to families in similar circumstances." -- Library Journal

One of the largest and most complex human services systems in history has evolved to address the needs of people with autism and intellectual disabilities, yet important questions remain for many professionals, administrators, and parents. What approaches to early intervention, education, treatment, therapy, and remediation really help those with autism and other intellectual disabilities improve their functioning and adaptation? Alternatively, what approaches represent wastes of time, effort, and resources? Controversial Therapies for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities, 2nd Edition brings together leading behavioral scientists and practitioners to shed much-needed light on the major controversies surrounding these questions. Expert authors review the origins, perpetuation, and resistance to scrutiny of questionable practices, and offer a clear rationale for appraising the quality of various services. The second edition of Controversial Therapies for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities has been fully revised and updated and includes entirely new chapters on psychology fads, why applied behavioral analysis is not a fad, rapid prompting, relationship therapies, the gluten-free, casein-free diet, evidence based practices, state government regulation of behavioral treatment, teaching ethics, and a parents’ primer for autism treatments.

Handbook of Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Psychology, Volume 1 covers the evidence-based practices now identified for treating children and adolescents with a wide range of DSM disorders. Topics include fundamental issues, developmental disorders, behavior and habit disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, and eating disorders. Each chapter provides a comprehensive review of the evidence-based practice literature for each disorder and then covers several different treatment types for clinical implementation. Edited by the renowned Peter Sturmey and Michel Hersen and featuring contributions from experts in the field, this reference is ideal for academics, researchers, and libraries.

Featuring a highly interactive approach, this text is noted for its exceptionally clear and thorough coverage of how to conduct a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) through various assessment methods, how to diagnose the function of problem behaviors, and how to select a behavioral intervention that addresses the diagnosed function. The development of requisite behavior-analytic skills is aided by utilizing many "real-life" and hypothetical cases that represent common scenarios in applied settings. Highlights include: Interactive approach, icons in the text alert readers to review related narrated on-line lectures highlighting FBAs and treatments and complete assignments embedded in text. Numerous cases, many based on the author’s clinical experiences in working with children and adults in educational and mental health settings, provide a realistic look at applied behavior analysis. Forms, interview protocols, and intervention plans illustrate the process of creating behavior plans from collected assessment data. A pioneering classification system for categorizing the function of problem behavior (Cipani BCS). Cases that model the process of assessment, classification, and treatment used in an FBA, allow readers to role play and develop presentation and classification skills. New to this edition: Chapter objectives and BACB Standards that match the content to be covered with objectives from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) task list help readers master some of the skills required of behavior analysts. Assignments and discussion items with associated narrated Power Point lectures to further engage readers. Simulation Exercises to actively involve readers in collecting data, conducting an assessment, demonstrating the use of a function, or observing how to “shape” an alternate behavior. Self-Assessment exercises to help readers test their understanding of the content. The Cipani EO School Behavioral Interview Rating System to help in conducting interviews. The Cipani Replacement Function Classification System for determining the strength of replacement behaviors. Online instructor's resources including test items tied to the chapter objectives, a conversion guide for adopters, tips for creating a course syllabus and using the discussion questions and assignments, and the chapter objectives, the BACB standards, and assignments. Online student resources including narrated PowerPoints and video lectures. An ideal text for courses in (applied) behavior analysis, behavioral or emotional assessment or management, child psychopathology, or developmental disabilities taught in school psychology, special education, behavior analysis, psychology, or social work, anyone who assesses and treats patients with challenging behaviors will also appreciate this book.

Examines the history of special education by categorical areas (for example, Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation, and Autistic Spectrum Disorders). This title includes chapters on the changing philosophy related to educating students with exceptionalities as well as a history of legal and legislation content concerned with special education.