This guide discusses autism in a straightforward way, describes the major types of autism, and discusses the major characteristics associated with the disorder. Chapters help teachers understand the ways children with autism relate to the world and focus on setting up a proactive preschool environment. ℗

"Most of us rely on visual supports in our daily lives and may not even realize it. Roadmaps, calendars, and to-do lists are just a few commonly used examples. For children and adults with autism, visual supports -- any pictorial, graphic, or scheduling aid -- are important teaching tools because they allow users to learn concepts that are otherwise difficult to master due to weaknesses in auditory and verbal processing. Written by two certified...

In [this book, the authors] describe the DIR/Floortime approach and show how to enter a child's world and bring her or him into a shared world of relating, communicating, and thinking. Part I presents a new, more accurate way of defining autism and ASD and observing a child's earliest signs, and describes goals for working with children with ASD and other special needs within the DIR framework. Part II shows how families can take the lead in working...

For children on the Autism spectrum, school can be a frightening, even sickening place. From high-functioning Aspergers Syndrome to severe autism at the other end of the spectrum, a childs ability to learn can be severely affected by anxiety and difficulties understanding and communicating with teachers and other students. As more children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the pressure increases on schools and teachers trying...

"A revolutionary teaching tool, an activity schedule is a set of pictures and/or words that cue children and adults to perform tasks, engage in activities, or enjoy rewards. For example, activity schedules can help a person do laundry, talk to a classmate, or play with toys. This new edition of the bestselling guide for families and professionals covers all the exciting successes and far-reaching impacts of using activity schedules--increased independence,...

Ms. Penrod covers all a parent of an individual with ASD needs to know, with honesty, humor and humility while empowering you to rise to meet all the challenges and triumphs on your journey.

An author and educator's pioneering approach to helping autistic students find their voices through poetry--a powerful and uplifting story that shows us how to better communicate with people on the spectrum and explores how we use language to express our seemingly limitless interior lives. Adults often find it difficult to communicate with autistic students and try to "fix" them. But what if we found a way to help these kids use their natural gifts...

The father of a child who was diagnosed as autistic at the age of two describes the intensive therapies that were pursued before Carly had a breakthrough at the age of ten, when she began using her computer to communicate.