In the news
Publications
Understanding Intensive Interaction
Context and Concepts for Professionals and Families
Graham Firth, Ruth Berry, and Cath Irvine
Foreword by Dave Hewett
Intensive interaction is a valuable approach, with the potential to radically enhance the well-being of difficult-to-reach individuals, such as those with profound and severe learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and emotional problems. This highly accessible book will help families and professionals develop a deeper understanding of this highly-successful approach and its associated issues, resulting in improved communication opportunities within a variety of care, therapeutic and educational settings.
This compendium offers a multidisciplinary perspective to intensive interaction, bringing together the authors' experience and research from different disciplines. A glossary format and thematic structure are employed to enable readers to quickly access topics of interest, and gradually build on their understanding of the approach. Each chapter is devoted to an over-arching concept - including psychological theories of human behaviour, relationship building and maintenance and social inclusion - and illustrated with case studies to support theoretical assertions and offer practical examples of useful techniques.A useful reference and reflective tool, this book will interest both family and professional carers, support staff, special education teachers, learning disability nurses, social services practitioners, speech and language therapists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, or anyone who is interested in intensive interaction and wants to learn more.
January 2010
ISBN 978 1 84310 982 2
£17.99
Helping Children to Cope with Change, Stress and Anxiety
A Photocopiable Activities Book
Deborah M. Plummer
Illustrated by Alice Harper
This book is full of creative ideas for use with children who have difficulty in coping with change, stress and normal levels of anxiety. Supported by a comprehensive but accessible theory section, the practical exercises are a simple and fun way of helping children to learn healthy stress management strategies.
Deborah Plummer offers over 100 activities and games specifically aimed at helping children to build emotional resilience. With a mixture of short, snappy activities and longer guided visualizations, these exercises are suitable for use with individuals or groups, and many are appropriate for use with children with complex needs or speech and language difficulties.
This unique photocopiable activity book will be an invaluable resource for parents, carers, teachers, therapists and anyone looking for creative, enjoyable ways of helping children to cope with change, stress and anxiety. It is primarily designed for use with individuals and groups of children aged 7-11, but the ideas can easily be adapted for both older and younger children and children with learning difficulties.
February 2010
ISBN 978 1 84310 960 0
£17.99
A Non-Violent Resistance Approach with Children in Distress
A Guide for Parents and Professionals
Camelite Avraham-Krehwinkel and David Aldridge
Parents, teachers and other professionals often struggle to know how to deal with disruptive, abusive or aggressive behaviour. This book addresses the urgent need for a realistic, practical and effective approach to dealing with severe disruptive behaviour in children and adolescents.
Adapting the principles of non-violent resistance originally advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, the book provides de-escalation techniques which empower the adult and unburden the distressed child. The authors outline the theoretical basis upon which the approach was developed, and explain how and why it can be so effective. Case studies demonstrate how the approach can be used to reach more successful places with unhappy and disruptive children of different ages. A separate section for parents provides useful advice on how to take the theoretical material and use it to deal with problematic behaviour in everyday life.
As effective as it is original, this approach will empower desperate parents and despairing caregivers by equipping them with hands-on tools to contain, counter and positively direct the aggression and opposition which they face from children in distress.
December 2009
ISBN 978 1 84310 484 1
£17.99
Managing Family Meltdown
The Low Arousal Approach and Autism
Linda Woodcock and Andrea Page
Foreword by Andrew McDonnell
Challenging behaviour, violent outbursts and meltdowns can put a strain on the entire family of a child on the autism spectrum. This book offers practical, long-term and effective strategies to help resolve common challenging behaviours using a low arousal approach - a non-aversive approach based on avoiding confrontation and reducing stress and anxiety.
Managing Family Meltdown provides explanations for challenging behaviours, and offers a wealth of guidance on how families can manage different types of challenging behaviour, such as physical aggression and self-injury. The authors explore the difference between managing and changing behaviour; how our own behaviour can influence the situation; and show how by reducing stress and anxiety children are better able to process information becoming less likely to react in challenging ways. The pros and cons of medication and ways to look after your own health are also discussed.
This hands-on, practical book is appropriate for children who are non-verbal, as well as those with higher functioning autism and will be indispensable for families, carers and anyone involved with children on the autism spectrum.
December 2009
ISBN 978 1 84905 009 8
£12.99
A Spectrum of Light
Inspirational Interviews with Families Affected by Autism
Francesca Bierens
The emotional trauma that families go through when they find out their child has an autism spectrum disorder can feel like being plunged into darkness. Francesca Bierens is here to show that there is also a light at the end of the tunnel.
Over a period of fourteen years, Francesca Bierens interviewed ten families of children on the autism spectrum. This book records their answers: how they felt, how they coped, and what gave them strength and solace. Each family discusses how they reacted when they found out their child had autism, and their feelings leading up to diagnosis. They share their positive and negative experiences of professionals, and describe the support that they received, often from grandparents, respite care givers, support groups and other parents. Two of the original children, now in their 20s, also talk about the experience of growing up with autism, and describe how their lives are now.
Above all, Bierens' message, and that of the families she interviews, is one of inspiration and hope, showing that there is light, love and laughter along the way. Their stories should be read by anyone who is affected by or working with autism.
November 2009
ISBN 978 1 84905 013 5
£12.99
The Autism Spectrum in the 21st Century
Exploring Psychology, Biology and Practice
Ilona Roth with Chris Barson, Rosa Hoekstra, Greg Pasco and Terry Whatson
The Autism Spectrum in the 21st Century is the definitive guide to the autism spectrum, introducing the reader to key concepts and developments in diagnosis, psychological and biological research, theoretical models, evidence-based intervention, educational strategies and family issues. The book charts how developments in theory, research and practice have shaped, and continue to shape, the evolving concept of autism which is at the core of this field.
The book explores:
- Diagnostic principles and practice and their implications for prevalence
- Psychological functioning in autism, including sensory-perceptual, cognitive and socio-cognitive processes
- Genetics and brain function in autism, and the neurobiological basis for autism spectrum conditions
- The range of therapeutic approaches available, including behavioural, communication-based and 'biological' interventions and their evidence base
- Educational implications, the options for individuals and families and the issue of inclusion
- How autism affects the family unit
- Overarching issues and challenges for research, practice and people
The Autism Spectrum in the 21st Century is essential reading for anyone personally or professionally interested in autism spectrum conditions, such as individuals on the spectrum and their families, students and researchers, clinical practitioners, teachers, social workers and healthcare professionals.
March 2010
ISBN 978 1 84905 087 6
£19.99
The Adolescent and Adult Neuro-diversity Handbook
Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Related Conditions
Sarah Hendrickx with a chapter on dyslexia by Claire Salter
Increasing numbers of adults are realising that they have been living with an undiagnosed developmental condition, yet most information and support focuses on children. This leaves many adults confused and in the dark.
The Adolescent and Adult Neuro-Diversity Handbook is a handy first-reference point guide to the full range of developmental conditions as they affect adolescents and adults. Each chapter focuses on a different condition, describing its history, causes and characteristics, its implications for the individual, diagnosis and assessment, treatments and approaches, and strategies for providing support and self-support. A wide range of conditions are covered, including Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, OCD, Tourette's and Anxiety Disorders.
The Adolescent and Adult Neuro-Diversity Handbook is an invaluable resource for health and social care practitioners, as well as for individuals who feel that they may be living with an undiagnosed developmental condition.
2009
ISBN 9781843109808
£13.99
Girls Growing up on the Autism Spectrum
What Parents and Professionals Should Know About the Pre-Teen and Teenage Years
Shana Nichols with Gina Marie Moravcik and Samara Pulver Tetenbaum
Growing up isn't easy, and the trials and tribulations of being a teenager can be particularly confusing for girls with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). This book covers all the concerns commonly faced by girls with ASDs and their parents, from periods and puberty to worries over friendships and "fitting in".
Taking a good look at these adolescent issues, and many more, within the context of specific areas of difficulty for girls with ASDs, the authors provide families with the knowledge and advice they need to help their daughters - and the whole family - through the teenage years. This book addresses core issues such as cognition, communication, behavior, sensory sensitivities, and social difficulties; it gives candid and realistic advice on a wide range of important teenage topics.
Providing professional perspectives alongside personal experiences from mothers, daughters and educators, this is a unique and indispensible guide for families and their daughters with ASDs, as well as the teachers and professionals who work with them.
2009
ISBN 9781843108559
£15.99
Islands of Genius
The Bountiful Mind of the Autistic, Acquired and Sudden Savant
Darold A. Treffert
Foreword by Daniel Tammet
Savant Syndrome is a rare condition in which individuals with developmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, have one or more areas of expertise, ability or billiance - "islands of genius" - that exist in contrast with their overall limitations. In this fascinating book, Dr. Darold Treffert looks at what we know about this remarkable condition, and at new discoveries that raise interesting questions about the hidden brain potential within us all.
Dr. Treffert explores the phenomena of genetic memory - instances in which individuals somehow "know" things they never learned - and sudden genius or "acquired savantism" - where a neuro-typical person unexpectedly and spectacularly develops savant-like abilities following a head injury or stroke. Showing that these phenomena point convincingly towards a reservoir of untapped potential - an inner savant capacity - within us all, he looks both at how savant skills can be nurtured, and how they can help the person who has them, particularly if that person is on the autism spectrum. A central colour section contains the extraordinary artwork of some of the savants who are mentioned in the book.
May 2010
ISBN 978 1 84905 810 0
£19.99
Disabled Church - Disabled Society
The Implications of Autism for Philosophy, Theology and Politics
John Gillibrand
Foreword by Rowan Williams
'Combining poignant personal honesty with an extraordinarily wide range of theological and philosophical learning, John Gillibrand has written a book that takes us well beyond the usual boundaries of studies in autism to raise questions about our human identity, suggesting that we jeopardize human dignity most when we try to bind it to the characteristics we can recognize and value and understand as mirroring only our own faces.'
- from the Foreword by Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury
In this moving and intelligent book John Gillibrand, an Anglican priest, draws on his experience of caring for his non-verbal son, Adam, who has autism and is now a teenager. He reflects on how the experience has changed not just his life, but also his whole way of thinking about theology, politics and philosophy.
Illuminated by an account of his day to day experiences with Adam, and deeper reflection upon the meaning of that experience, John Gillibrand considers the challenges that autism - and disability in general - present to the western tradition of thought in theology and philosophy. His experiences lead him to consider the place of people with autism in relation to religion and philosophy, and how the difficulties in providing adequate public services for those with autism and their carers point to a need for radical transformation of western political structures.
This thoughtful and incisive book will be of interest to theologians, philosophers and sociologists, as well as to all those trying to integrate people with autism into society. Parents and carers will find much to reflect on.
February 2010
ISBN 978 1 84310 968 6
£22.50
Addressing the Unproductive Classroom Behaviours of Students with Special Needs
Steve Chinn
Certain classroom behaviours can signify an underlying learning disability. This book will help you recognise potential indicators of Asperger Syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia, AD/HD, physical disabilities and speech and language disorders; explores the benefits of different interventions; and offers practical strategies for improving pupils' behaviours, social skills and self-esteem.
This book contains:
- A simple-to-use screener for initial identification of a pupil's specific learning disability
- A practical and simple structure for monitoring classroom behaviours and creating an Individual Behaviour Plan
- Tried-and-tested teacher strategies for common areas of concern, such as problems staying on task, inability to work on group tasks and failure to seek help when needed
- Key educational theories to help teachers understand and influence classroom behaviours, and further develop classroom management skills for addressing the behaviours of special needs pupils.
This practical, accessible book is an essential tool kit for special educational needs coordinators, learning support staff and teachers in both primary and secondary schools.
January 2010
ISBN 9781849050500
£19.99
A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Schools
Lee A. Wilkinson
Foreword by Diane Twachtman-Cullen
With a focus on best practice and the importance of early diagnosis, this book provides a practical and scientifically-based approach to the assessment and diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome and autism spectrum conditions.
This book offers a balance of conceptual, practical and empirical information designed to bridge the research-to-practice gap in identifying, assessing, and treating school-aged children with autism-related conditions. Assessment tools and intervention strategies will support school-based professionals in:
- identifying and assessing young people with high-functioning autism spectrum conditions
- developing and implementing classroom-based intervention programs
- initiating a dialogue between parents and teachers
- accessing community resources
- promoting special needs advocacy.
With illustrative case studies, FAQs, quick reference boxes, and a glossary, this accessible guide will appeal to teachers, counsellors, psychologists, social work practitioners and students.
March 2010
ISBN 9781849058117
£15.99
Successful School Change and Transition for the Child with Asperger Syndrome
Clare Lawrence
Moving to a new school can be a daunting prospect for the child with Asperger syndrome, and parents are often left feeling powerless to help prevent the anxiety and loss of confidence which may ensue.
Clare Lawrence's new book provides parents of children with Asperger syndrome with practical advice on how to prepare their child for moving to a new school, and how to help make the transition as smooth as possible. A wide range of material is covered, including useful guidance on choosing the right school, supporting the child during the period prior to the move, and identifying and practising the different social rules and expectations of the new school. Strategies covered in the book include working out a transition time-line, identifying a named adult and 'safe haven' at the school, and effective communication between parents, teachers and support staff.
This clear and accessible book will be an invaluable resource for parents of children with AS who are moving to a new school, and will also be of interest to the teachers and education professionals who work with them.
January 2010
ISBN 9781849050524
£14.99
Asperger Syndrome and Bullying
Strategies and Solutions
Nick Dubin
Bullying is a serious problem for people with Asperger Syndrome (AS), both at school and in the workplace, and displaying "different" behavior, such as not understanding social rules or hand-flapping, exacerbates the risk of being victimized.
Writing in an accessible, informal style, the author describes the bullying behavior he and other individuals have experienced, and the effect this has had on their lives. He outlines the reasons for bullying behavior and the danger of persistent recurrence if it remains unchecked, as well as the critical importance of "involving the bystander". Nick Dubin goes on to provide a range of effective strategies to address bullies and bullying that can be applied by parents, professionals, schools, and individuals being bullied. He stresses the importance of peer intervention, empathetic teachers, and verbal self-defense, and shows how lack of support, condemning of "tale telling," or even blaming the victim reinforces bullying.
This book offers individuals with AS who are being bullied the opportunity to see that they are not alone, and it is an invaluable source of advice for parents, teachers, professionals and personnel managers.
2007
ISBN 9781843108467
£12.99
Brief guide to the Mental Capacity Act
Elaine Hardie and Liz Brooks
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 affects the approximately two million people in England and Wales who are unable to make some or all decisions that affects their lives.
This BILD guide provides case studies to demonstrate key points of the Act and practical examples to explain how the Act might be applied in a real-life situation.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 affects people who are unable to make some or all of their own decisions. It supports the rights of people with a learning disability to make their own decisions and provides rules for when other people can make decisions on their behalf. Written in plain English, the booklet aims to:
- Explain the key points of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Explain what some of the choices and decisions might be
- Help people plan ahead
- Help supporters to understand choice and decision-making
2009
ISBN 978 1 905218 06 6
Publication cost: £10
Supporting Parents and Carers - A Trainer's Guide to Positive Behaviour Strategies
Sharon Paley, Chris Stirling and Mark Wakefield
Parents and carers are often the most important influence on a child’s life and yet they very rarely receive training in strategies to help them deal with challenging behaviour. Training delivered by people who are in, or have been in, the same situation as themselves is likely to be more meaningful and produce a more positive response.
This trainer’s guide is intended to provide parents and carers, as well as professional trainers, with materials to deliver training in positive behaviour strategies. The guide includes a CD-ROM with PowerPoint presentation and handouts and, with the clearly set out session plans, provides a comprehensive course that is designed to be easily understood by those who may have limited formal training.
2008
ISBN 978 1 905218 07 3
£25 (inc. VAT)
Down’s Syndrome and Dementia- A resource for carers and support staff
Second Edition
Karen Dodd, Vicky Turk and Michelle Christmas
A resource book for family carers, staff and other professionals to help them care more effectively for people with Down’s syndrome and dementia.
The book focuses on practical day to day issues, including:
- supporting the person with Down’s syndrome and dementia to maintain skills and independence in every way and for as long as possible
- treating treatable conditions
- understanding and responding appropriately to changes in behaviour during the early, middle and late stages of dementia
- providing emotional reassurance for carers
- improving the confidence of carers to look after individuals
- identifying local supports and resources
- being open to the problems that may arise and help with coping
- tips and solutions
2009
ISBN 978 1 905218 08 0
£20
Ethical Approaches to Physical Interventions Volume II. Changing the agenda
Edited by David Allen
The topic of physical intervention is still hugely important: the abuse of such interventions features all too regularly in national scandals, and people with intellectual disabilities and other individuals with complex needs are still dying in the UK as a result of the use of inappropriate restraint.
Through rigorous analysis of current policies and practices, careful examination of physical interventions and abusive practices, and clear discussion of objectives and needs for the future, this new publication offers a major overview of key developments and current best practice in the field.
Topics covered in the book are:
- The effectiveness of training in physical intervention
- Reflections on accreditation
- Evaluating the risks associated with physical interventions
- Physical interventions and family carers
- Mechanical restraint and self-injury in people with intellectual disabilities: An
- enduring cause for concern
- Ethical use of medication to manage imminent disturbed/violent behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities
- Seclusion and time out? Questioning and defining practice
- Restraint-related deaths: Lessons for policy and practice from tragedy?
- Prevention is better than reaction – Getting our priorities right
- Antecedent interventions for people with intellectual disabilities who present challenging behaviour
- Teaching new skills to people with learning disabilities who engage in aggressive behaviour
- Restraint reduction
2009
ISBN 978 1 905218 11 0
Publication cost: £25
Activities for Adults with Learning Disbilities: Having Fun, Meeting Needs
Helen Sonnet and Ann Taylor
More than 60 sessions of activities, such as cookery, arts and crafts, drama, dance, and outside activities, are included in this resource for people working with adults with learning disabilities. All activities have been tested by experienced practitioners and include a key advising the level of help needed, wheelchair user suitability and any related health and safety issues.
July 2009, £17.99, ISBN 9781843109754
Valuing People Now
Estimating Future Need for Adult Social Care Services for People with Learning Disabilities in England
Eric Emerson and Chris Hatton
http://www.learningdisabilitycoalition.org.uk/download/CEDR_November.pdf
Case for Real Change
Learning Disability Coalition
The work in this report was conducted by the Centre for Disability Research at
Death by Indifference
Mencap
This report follows on from Mencap’s Treat me right! report and campaign in 2004, which exposed the unequal healthcare that people with a learning disability often receive from healthcare professionals. The report made clear that much work needs to be done within the NHS to ensure that people with a learning disability are treated decently and equally.
http://www.mencap.org.uk/document.asp?id=284
A Life like no Other
Healthcare Commission
This is a national report following the Healthcare Commission’s audit of specialist inpatient healthcare services for people with learning difficulties in England, carried out in 2007.
http://2007ratings.healthcarecommission.org.uk/_db/_documents/LD_audit_report.pdf
All Dogs Have ADD
Kathy Hoopmann
All Dogs Have ADD takes an inspiring and affectionate look at Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), using images and ideas from the canine world to explore a variety of traits that will be instantly recognisable to those who are familiar with ADD. Following the style of the award-winning All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome, charming colour photographs of dogs bring to life familiar ADD characteristics such as being restless and excitable, getting easily distracted, and acting on impulse. This delightful book combines humour with understanding to reflect the difficulties and joys of raising a child with ADD and celebrates what it means to be considered ‘different.’ This absorbing and enjoyable book takes a refreshing approach to understanding ADD.
September 2008, £9.99, ISBN 9781843106517
Who's Who of the Brain
Kenneth Nunn, Tanya Hanstock and Bryan Lask
Meet the inhabitants of the brain in this reader-friendly introduction to what it is and how it works. Residents include Frederick Foresight (the frontal cortex), Mayor of Cephalton-upon-Ridge, who is the ‘big picture’ person responsible for planning and decision-making; Sage Seahorse (the hippocampus), who has an astonishing memory for times, names and places; Annie Almond (the amygdale), the community’s alarm system who is always on the alert; and many other fellow citizens. Each character is introduced and their appearance, role and key functions in the brain explained. The authors also show what happens when things go wrong in the brain, and illustrate the work using examples of classic clinical cases.
May 2008, £13.99, ISBN 9781843104704
Breaking Free from OCD
Jo Derisley, Isobel Heyman, Sarah Robinson and Cynthia Turner
Written by leading experts on OCD, this step-by-step guide is written for adolescents with OCD and their families, to be used in home treatment or as a self-help book. Using the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is the proven method for helping those with OCD, it offers teenagers a structured plan of treatment which can be read alone, or with a parent, counsellor or mental health worker. The guide provides useful advice and worksheets throughout.
This self-help book for young people aged 10-16 is an invaluable resource for adolescents who have suffered from, or know someone who has suffered from, OCD, their families, teachers, carers and mental health professionals.
May 2008, £12.99, ISBN 9781843105749
Making Sense of Children's Thinking and Behaviour
Leslie Holzhauser-Peters and Leslie True
Making Sense of Children’s Thinking and Behaviour offers parents and professionals a tool for understanding children with neurological differences. These children have an atypical view of the world, unique to their particular disability, which can make their behaviour confusing and, at times, challenging. Often, the child’s actions are misunderstood and, consequently, they are unfairly punished.
An individualised approach to understanding a child’s thought processes can help to resolve these problems. The author’s Systematic Tool for Analysing Thinking (STAT) offers such an approach. It provides a step-by-step method for understanding a child’s behaviour by revealing the thought processes behind it. By viewing a situation from the child’s perspective, the root of the problem can be identified and one can then effectively address the difficult behaviour. Case studies are used to describe the twelve common deficit areas, demonstrating to the reader how to apply the STAT in everyday situations.
This practical book is an invaluable resource for parents and professionals working with children with NLD, Asperger’s, HFA, PDD-NOS, and other neurological differences.
June 2008, £13.99, ISBN 9781843108887
Social Skills Games for Children
Deborah M. Plummer
Featuring a wealth of familiar and easy-to-learn games, this practical handbook is designed to foster successful social strategies for children aged from five to 12 and will help adults to understand and reflect constructively on children’s social skills.
The book covers the theory behind the games in accessible language, and includes a broad range of enjoyable activities: active and passive, verbal and non-verbal, and for different sized groups. Deborah Plummer addresses issues that might arise when supporting children with a range of communication differences, including children with learning differences, and offers a variety of cognitive and behavioural strategies to help children to reinforce the skills explored in the games. This is an ideal resource for teachers, parents, carers and all those working to improve the social skills of children.
August 2008, £15.99, ISBN 9781843106173
Why do I have to?
Laurie Leventhal-Belfer
Why do I have to go to school before the show that I am watching is over? Why do I have to wear shoes and a jacket when I go outside? Rules like these can be really frustrating – but they don’t have to be!
Why do I have to? Looks at a set of everyday situations that provide challenges for children at home, with their friends, and at school. Laurie Leventhal-Belfer empathises with children’s wish to do things their way, explains clearly why their way does not work, and provides a list of practical suggestions for how to cope with these challenges and avoid feelings of frustration. This is the ideal book for children who have difficulty coping with the expectations of daily living, as well as for their parents and the professionals who work with them.
July 2008, £6.99, ISBN 9781843108917
Reaching and Teaching the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Heather MacKenzie
Reaching and Teaching the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder provides a positive approach to understanding and educating children on the autism spectrum. The book gives greater insight into the perspective and behaviour of a child with autism and explores how the child’s learning preferences, strengths and interests can be used to facilitate learning and enhance motivation.
Based on well-researched theory and extensive clinical experience, the author provides a comprehensive model for developing lifelong independent learning skills in children with autism between the ages of three and 12 years old. The book describes the underlying principles, learning preferences and strengths typical of children with autism and offers a detailed but flexible program structure based on these concepts. Easy to follow activities and approaches are described in each chapter, along with clear examples and illustrations. This accessible and practical book is an essential resource for parents, teachers, support workers, therapists and others concerned with learning and development in children with autism.
April 2008, £15.99, ISBN 9781843106234
How to Make School Make Sense
Clare Lawrence
Every child’s education relies on a partnership between parents, professionals and, of course, the child. This book gives parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) practical advice on how to make the most of this important partnership and work with schools to ensure their child’s needs are being met.
The book explores how parents can prepare their child for school life and how they can work with teachers to improve the classroom environment, as well as the school environment as a whole, for their child and consequently for the benefit of all pupils. Strategies include peer education, the use of visual cues and rules and effective communication between parents, teachers and teaching assistants.
This clear, accessible book will be an invaluable guide for parents of children with AS and will also be of interest to the teachers and educational professionals who work with them.
August 2008, £12.99, ISBN 9781843106647
Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum
Julia Moor
Parents of young children newly diagnosed as on the autism spectrum are often at a loss for ideas about how best to help their child. Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum is not just a collection of play ideas; it shows how to break down activities into manageable stages, and looks at ways to gain a child’s attention and motivation and to build on small achievements.
Each chapter covers a collection of ideas around a theme, including music, art, physical activities, playing outdoors, puzzles, turn-taking and using existing toys to create play sequences. There are also chapters on introducing reading and making the most of television. This updated second edition contains an extensive chapter on how to use the computer, the internet and the digital camera to find and make resources and activities, and suggests many suitable websites to help parents through the internet maze. The ideas are useful both for toddlers and primary age children who are still struggling with play.
July 2008, £13.99, ISBN 9781843106081
Small Steps Forward
Sarah Newman
When young children are diagnosed with conditions such as Down’s Syndrome, autism or other forms of developmental delay, there is much that parents can do to help. This new edition of the award-winning Small Steps Forward includes up-to-date research and practice, providing parents and carers with the information they need and a host of ideas to encourage their child’s development. The games and activities use toys and materials which most children will already have, and involve no special preparation. They are also fun to play.
Sarah Newman divides skills into six areas – cognitive, linguistic, physical, sensory, social and emotional – for convenient reference. She deals with general issues, such as behaviour management, toilet-training and sleep management, which may be encountered by parents of children with any form of disability – physical, learning or sensory. She also provides an outline of child development so that parents can place their child’s progress in context, and gives practical advice on coping with the stress of having a child with special needs.
This book is an essential guide for parents of young children with developmental disabilities and will also be invaluable to anyone who works with children with special needs.
August 2008, £13.99, ISBN 9781843106937
Mind/Body Techniques for Asperger's Syndrome
Ron Rubio
People with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) typically experience difficulty with balance, coordination and sensory awareness. The mind/body exercises in this book help young people with AS improve these skills, leading to greater self-confidence and independence.
Easy to use, with photographs to show how exercises are done correctly, these techniques can have an immediate effect on how an individual stands, sits, moves, thinks of him or herself, and relates to others. The author’s approach integrates ideas and practices from disciplines including martial arts, Eastern principles of mindfulness, techniques of visualisation, breathing, posture, and movement, and the practice of mentoring.
May 2008, £13.99, ISBN 9781843108757
Asperger Syndrome and Alcohol: Drinking to Cope?
Matthew Tinsley and Sarah Hendrickx
Asperger Syndrome and Alcohol exposes the unexplored problem of people with autism spectrum disorders using alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with everyday life. Alcohol can relieve the anxiety of social situations and make those with ASDs feel as though they can fit in. Ultimately, however, reliance on alcohol can lead the user down a path of self-destruction and exacerbate existing problems. Utilising their professional and personal experience, the authors provide an overview of ASDs and of alcohol abuse, and explore current knowledge about where the two overlap. Tinsley explores his own personal history as someone with an ASD who has experienced and beaten alcohol addiction. He discusses how the impact of his diagnosis and his understanding of the condition played a huge part in his recovery, and how by viewing his life through the prism of autism, his confusion has been replaced by a greater understanding of himself and the world around him. This inspiring book on an under-researched area will be of interest to professionals working with people with ASDs who may be dealing with alcohol or substance misuse, and their families.
June 2008, £13.99, ISBN 9781843106098
Social Skills for Teenagers and Adults with Asperger's Syndrome: A Practical Guide to Day-to-Day Life
Nancy J Patrick
This resource provides practical strategies for helping teenagers and adults with Asperger's Syndrome to navigate social skills, friendships and relationships at home and in the community. The author offers advice for tackiling day-to-day problems such as visits to the dentist or the doctor, searching for a job, sorting out personal finances, going on holiday and dealing with public transport, as well as more intimate topics such as dating and acquiring and maintaining friendships. The chapters are structured around real-life scenarios and the challenges they present, followed by step-by-step solutions and suggestions. A final section provides a set of practical self-help tools, which encourage the reader to note down answers to questions posed and record personal reflections. This accessible guide will be essential reading for teenagers and adults with Asperger's Syndrome and their families, teachers, therapists, counsellors, carers and social and health work professionals.
September 2008, £12.99, ISBN 9781843108764
Providing Practical Support for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Supported Living in the Community
Denise Edwards
One element at the heart of effective service provision is an understanding of the service user's needs. This book unravels some of the common misunderstandings between people with autism spectrum disorders and providers of support services, and offers practical advice on how to ensure that the needs of people with ASD are catered for effectively. Denise Edwards writes directly from her experiences of finding appropriate support for her adopted son, John Paul, who has Asperger's Syndrome, but also draws on the experiences of a broad range of service users. She emphasises the importance of understanding and conveying the nature of ASD so that support services can meet a person's needs effectively. She discusses common areas in which difficulties arise, including communication, social situations and the organisation of information, examines the implications of support in wider society - education, employment, the legal system - and makes practical suggestions for changes that can improve access to benefits and services.
April 2008, £15.99, ISBN 9781843105770
Autism and its Medical Management: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
Michael G Chez MD
Autism and its Medical Management explains the medical aspects of autism and how both parents and professionals can use current medical knowledge to better understand how to address the medical aspects of autism. The book begins with an overview of autism spectrum disorders and how they are diagnosed, and goes on to identify the different types of autism and to describe relevant medical interventions. The author also provisdes an outline of recent research to enable parents and professionals to gain an understanding of the various factors that may contribute to the development of ASDs, as well as the lastest available treatment options. Bridging the communication gap between parents and professionals, this book offers accessible explanations of medical terminology and treatment relevant to ASDs and is an important tool for those working with children with ASDs.
April 2008, £19.99, ISBN 9781843108344
Promoting Social Interaction for Individuals with Communicative Impairments: Making Contact
Edited by M. Suzanne Zeedyk
All humans have an inate need and ability to communicate with others, and this book presents successful approaches to nurturing communicative abilities in people who have some type of communication impairment. The contributers look at a wide range of approaches, including intensive interaction, co-creative communication, sensory integrations and music therapy, for a variety of impairments, including autism, profound learning disabilities, deafblindness, severe early neglect and dementia. This wide perspective provides insight into what it feels like to struggle with a communicative impairment, and how those who work with and care about such individuals can and should think more creatively about how to make contact with them. Covering both the theory and practical implementations of different interventions, this book will be invaluable for health and social work professionals, psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, and speech and language therapists, as well as researchers, teachers and students in these fields.
April 2008, £16.99, ISBN 9781843105398
The Girl Who Spoke with Pictures: Autism Through Art
Eileen Miller
For many years Eileen Miller's daughter, Kim, was unable to verbalize her experiences and emotions, but she was able to communicate using a less conventional language: her art. The Girl who Spoke with Pictures tells the story of a young woman with autism, and how her enlightening drawings enable her to share her view of the world. Illustrated with drawings created by Kim between the ages of three and 17 years old, the book gives an insight into how Kim expressed her thoughts and feelings through pictures, revealing her capacity to learn and be understood by those around her. Reflecting on her daughter's artwork, the author explores the concept of art as a universal language that can transcend barriers and enhance the personal and educational experiences of those with autism. This book provides a window into one girl's experience of life and will be essential reading for teachers, parents and anyone with an interest in autism.
September 2008, £16.99, ISBN 9781843108894
Using intensive Interaction and Sensory Integration: A Handbook for Those who Support People with Severe Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Phoebe Caldwell
People with severe autism experience the sensory information they receive from the world completely differently to those not on the spectrum. They feel cut off, overwhelmed and retreat into a world of their own. Their behaviour can become very distressed. This handbook shows how we can engage with people who are non-verbal or semi-verbal and sometimes even those who have speech but lose the power to process this when thay are in crisis. We can help them to make sense of the world. With illustrations, case examples and a wide range of tried-and-tested techniques, this is a practical nuts-and-bolts guide to using Intensive Interaction - using a person's own body language to make contact with them - and Sensory Integration - taking steps to reduce environmental factors that cause the person with autism distress. It provides indispensable tools for parents, carers and other professionals supporting people with severe autism and other learning disabilities.
June 2008, £12.99, ISBN 9781843106265
Concepts of Normality: The Autistic and Typical Spectrum
Wendy Lawson
For those with autism, understanding 'normal' can be a difficult task. For those without autism, the perception of normal can lead to unrealistic expectations of self and others. This book explores how individuals and society understand 'normal', in order to help demystify and make accessible a full range of human experience. Wendy Lawson outlines the theory behind the current thinking and beliefs of Western society that have led to the building of a culture that fails to be inclusive. She describes what a wider concept of 'normal' means and how to access it, whether it's in social interaction, friendships, feelings, thoughts and desires or various other aspects of 'normality'. Practical advice is offered on a range of situations, including how to find you role within the family, how to integrate 'difference' into everyday society, and how to converse and connect with others.
July 2008, £14.99, ISBN 9781843106043
Dasha's Journal: A Cat Reflects on Life, Catness and Autism
T.O. Daria
Just a few weeks old, Dasha the cat found herself in a family with an autistic child. The publication of Temple Grandin's book Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behaviour turned the house into a research laboratory, with the humans observing Dasha's behaviours and the cat experimenting with the 'human guinea pigs'. The feline perspective provides a new outlook on autism conditions, challenging long established stereotypes and analysing controversies in the field with unbiased attitude and humour. The text is interspersed with Dasha's 'wisdom', 'research notes' and definitions of concepts based on her own understanding, such as 'A pet shop is a place where humans come to be adopted by the animals who are brave enough to take the responsibilty of looking after them'. Dasha's Journal provides research-based information in an amusing and accessible form and makes serious and complicated issues such as sensory perception, memory, communication, savant skills and challenging behaviours in autism easily understandable for the general reader.
April 2008, £12.99, ISBN 9781843105862
Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger's Syndrome
Sarah Attwood
Puberty is a time of huge change in the physical body, in emotional experience and in social relationships. Having an understanding of these developments and learning how to deal with them is essential, and for people with Asperger's Syndrome it can be a challenge to get to grips with the social and emotional aspects of puberty, sex and relationships. This book is ideal for those who need clear, detailed explanantions and direct answers to the many questions raised bu puberty and sexual maturity. Sarah Attwood describes developments in both the male and female body, and explains how to maintain hygiene and personal care, and to promote general good health. She examines emotional changes, including moods and sexual feelings, and provides comprehensive information on sex, sexual health and reproduction. She also looks at the nature of friendship, how it changes from childhood to adulthood and its importance as a basis for sexual encounter. She also offers coping strategies for different social experiences, from bullying to dating, and includes essential tips on the politics of mature behaviour, such as knowing the difference between public and personal topics of conversation.
May 2008, £12.99, ISBN 9781843103745
