Autism Spectrum Disorders

 

RESOURCES

 

Autism Speaks 100 Day Kits for Newly Diagnosed Families of Children (under 5 kit or 5-13 kit or adult kit). https://www.autismspeaks.org/newly-diagnosed

A Parent’s Guide to High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder by Sally Ozonoff, PhD, Geraldine Dawson, PhD, and James C. McPartland, PhD amazon.com

Autism Spectrum Disorder:  What Every Parent Needs to Know (2019) by the American Academy of Pediatrics

The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (NPDC):  autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu

• Autism Focused-Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM): Free eLearning modules that describe EBP procedures, steps for implementing the practices, fidelity checklists, etc. https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu

The National Clearinghouse for Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP):  ncaep.fpg.unc.edu

• Continuation of the review completed by the NPDC (see above) to review research from 2012 – 2017 to identify the most efficacious interventions for children on the autism spectrum. This report describes a set of practices that have clear evidence of positive effects with autistic children and youth.
• NCAEP Research and Resources Page: https://ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/research-resources
• List of Evidence-Based Practices Page: https://ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/sites/ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/NCAEP%20Report%20-%20Table%203.1%20-%20EBP%20list.pdf

Autism Research Institute:  www.autism.org

National Autism Center https://nationalautismcenter.org

Educating Children with Autism by the National Research Council

• Outlines an interdisciplinary approach to education for children with autism.
• Explores what makes education effective for the child with autism and identifies specific characteristics of programs that work.
• Recommendations are offered for choosing educational content and strategies, introducing interaction with other children, and other key topics.
• Utilizes evidence based research and analyzes the curriculums of effective educational programs to make evidence based recommendations for academic programming for children with autism spectrum disorders.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development  https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism

• Good starting point and overview on autism, related disorders and what we know to date

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Autism Information Center Home page.  http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html.

• Provides links to government agencies and partner organizations related to Autism; state specific resource links and educational resources; resources for financial help for health care; assistive technology resources; and available clinical trials around the country investigating new treatments for ASD.

SOCIAL SKILLS INTERVENTION

Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking: https://www.socialthinking.com

SENSORY INTEGRATION INFORMATION AND INTERVENTION:

Sensory Integration Global Network:  https://www.siglobalnetwork.org/home

• resources for parents: https://www.siglobalnetwork.org/parents
• How do I find an appropriately trained professional to assess and treat sensory integration challenges?: https://www.siglobalnetwork.org/4-parents-resources-page-4

Ayres Sensory Integration Companion Guide to the NCAEP report referenced above:  Ayres Sensory Integration was identified by the NCAEP as an evidence based practice for children with ASD.  This guide provides important information on what constitutes evidence based sensory intervention and what does not. https://ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/ayres-sensory-integration®-companion-ncaep-report

ASPERGER SYNDROME:

The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome:  Advice, Support, Insight, and Inspiration by Patricia Romanowski Bashe and Barbara Kirby, 2005 (can be purchased at Amazon.com).  This book is highly recommended by numerous authors and experts in the field as being one of the most helpful books on the market for parents of children with Asperger Syndrome as well as other professionals.

Asperger’s Syndrome, A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Tony Attwood, 1998  Tony Attwood is one of the foremost experts in Asperger’s Syndrome and this book is highly acclaimed by parents and professionals alike for understanding the syndrome and it’s implications.

Nonverbal Learning Disabilities At School:  Educating Students with NLD, Asperger Syndrome and Related Conditions by Pamela B. Tanguay (Order through Amazon.com) This is an excellent book for practical suggestions and ideas for supporting students with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and Asperger Syndrome.

Nonverbal Learning Disabilities At Home: A Parent’s Guide by Pamela B. Tanguay
Foreword: Byron P. Rourke, PhD, FRSC  Order through Amazon.com

Addresses such issues as the parent’s roll, fine motor skills, coordination, organization, thinking skills, social skills, communication skills, daily living skills, coping with change, safety issues, etc.  Highly recommended by parents of children with NLD as a useful resource for parenting a child with NLD.  While this book was written specifically for children with nonverbal learning disability issues, there is such a high overlaps of issues between NLD and Aspergers that many of the practical solutions/suggestions will be useful for students with Asperger’s Syndrome as well.

Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments:  Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns by Brenda Smith Myles and Jack Southwick (1999).  This book is aimed to help parents of children with Aspergers who have frequent meltdowns and rage episodes at home and/or school.  Highly rated and recommended for parents, teachers, and other professionals who work with children with Aspergers who also struggle with significant behavioral difficulties.

Asperger Syndrome, A Practical Guide for Teachers by Cumine, Leach and Stevenson

A Parent’s Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism:  How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive by Sally Ozonoff, Geraldine Dawson, and James McPartland (2002) – Part 1 offers definitions, diagnosis, causes and treatments of Aspergers and HFA as well as prognosis.  Part 2 discusses living with AS/HFA, using strengths to help with challenges, and dealing with home, school, and social environments as an adolescent and adult with AS/HFA.  This book covers issues across the lifespan from preschoolers to childhood to adolescence and adulthood.  There is a more research based bent to this book in terms of providing information based on recent research on the disorder.

The Social Skills Picture Book by Dr. Jed Baker – It demonstrates through pictures nearly 30 social skills, such as conversation, play, emotion management and empathy.  The pictures are supplemented by verbal descriptions and instructions.

Social Skills Training:  For Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and Social-Communication Problems by Jed B. Baker (2003)

For Adolescents and Adults with ASD/Asperger Syndrome:

What is Asperger syndrome and how will it affect me? A guide for young people by Martine Ives of the NAS Autism Helpline in the United Kingdom

Pretending to be Normal- Living with Asperger’s Syndrome by Liane Holliday Willey, 1999.

Autism-Asperger’s & sexuality; Puberty and Beyond by Jerry and Mary Newport.  Written by a married couple with Aspergers Syndrome.   Published in 2002 by Future Horizons (see below)

For Children to Understand ASD:

Asperger’s…What does it mean to me?  by Catherine Faherty and Gary Mesibov from Future Horizons, Inc.  (www.futurehorizons-autism.com).  It’s in a workbook format good for parents and children and provides a good format for intervention. (about $32).

Asperger’s, Huh:  A Child’s Perspective by Rosina Schnurr, Rosina G. Schnurr, and John Strackan.  A book for children 6-12 years of age with Asperger Syndrome written in the voice of an 11 year old boy who just found out he has Asperger Syndrome.  He talks about being smart in some things but having a hard time with other things (like social skills, sports, etc.).  The book offers positive support and practical solutions for kids.

Can I tell you about Asperger Syndrome by Jude Welton is a booklet written for children ages 7-15.  It provides a nice discussion of traits from the perspective of a young boy. Can order from Jessica Kingsley Publishers   (www.jkp.com)

Autism Spectrum/Asperger Syndrome Disorders in Girls:

What Are the Signs of Autism In Girls – Is Asperger’s In Girls Overlooked? Published by Autism Parenting Magazine: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/guides/what-are-the-signs-of-autism-in-girls.pdf

Asperger and Autism Spectrum:  Women and Girls (Asperger/Autism Network): https://www.aane.org/women-asperger-profiles/

What Are the Signs of Autism in Girls – Is Asperger’s in Women Overlooked? (Autism Parenting Magazine): https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/signs-of-autism-in-girls/

Autism – It’s Different in Girls (Scientific American): https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/autism-it-s-different-in-girls/

Girl’s and Women Who Have Asperger’s Syndrome on Tony Attwood’s website:  http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/about-aspergers/girls-and-women-who-have-aspergers

Gifted Children with Asperger’s Syndrome:  https://www.davidsongifted.org/search-database/entry/a10167

Tony Attwood’s website and resources for Asperger’s Syndrome and high functioning ASD: http://www.tonyattwood.com.au