About the Book
How can you help kids with autism be flexible, get organized, and work toward goals--not just in school but in everyday life? It's all about executive function, and this quick problem-solving guide helps you explicitly teach these critical skills to high-functioning children with autism (Grades K-8). Used on its own or in tandem with the popular Unstuck and On Target! classroom curriculum, this practical guide shows how to embed executive function instruction in dozens of everyday scenarios, from morning routines to getting homework done. Designed for therapists, teachers, and parents, these highly effective techniques give children the skills they need to navigate each day, reach their goals, and succeed inside and outside the classroom.
THIS BOOK HELPS YOU:
- Understand executive function--why it's important and why it's challenging for children with autism
- Teach three skills critical to success: flexibility, goal setting, and organization
- Use consistent scripts and key words to help children process your message
- Model desired behaviors --and fade your guidance as children generalize skills
- Provide simple, effective visual cues that keep kids unstuck and on target
- Keep it fun and positive, with tips on creative, playful ways to teach executive function skills
PRACTICAL MATERIALS: Dozens of specific, easy-to-do examples; "Goal, Plan, Do, Check" scripts and worksheets that break down tasks into small, achievable chunks; key words and phrases that help kids stay on target; reproducible visual aids; sample IEP goals.
Help children with autism
- Compromise with family and friends
- Turn "big deals" into "little deals"
- Move on to Plan B when Plan A doesn't work
- Make plans and carry them out
- Solve problems independently
- Be a good friend
- Handle disappointments and unexpected events
- Avoid "whims" that get them off track
Quick-reference magnet included! As a bonus, you'll also get a 4 x 6 magnet printed with key words and sample scripts from Unstuck and On Target! It's a handy quick reference for the "Goal-Plan-Do-Check" process that helps students set and meet goals.
About the Author:
Lauren Kenworthy, Ph.D., is Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry at the George Washington University School of Medicine, and Director of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Children's National Health System. Dr. Kenworthy received her B.A. from Yale University and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Her research interests are in describing and treating the neuropsychological phenotype of autism. She is an author of more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, and a co-author of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Laura Gutermuth Anthony, Ph.D., completed a dual degree Ph.D. program in clinical and developmental psychology at the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1997. Since then, she has focused her research and clinical work on children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including more than 30 publications. She has also received funding for 11 federally-funded and 7 foundation research grants including a current Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI) Addressing Disparities award for children with autism and ADHD to study this intervention. Katie C. Alexander, M.S., OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and clinician-researcher. Ms. Alexander received her B.S. and post-professional masters from the University of Kansas Medical Center. For over 15 years, she has specialized in community and school-based intervention for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and served as the founding program director for the Model Asperger Program at The Ivymount School. Her research and clinical interests are in developing interventions and supports that improve the daily lives of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. Monica Adler Werner, M.S., is the Director of the Model Asperger Program (MAP) at the Ivymount School. In that capacity she has spearheaded the development of a social learning curriculum that emphasizes problem solving, self advocacy and self regulation. Ms Werner has been a major contributor to the development of the intervention. In addition, she is a co-founder of Take2 Summer Camp, a program designed to develop social thinking, problem solving and skills. She also serves as an ad hoc public reviewer of NIMH autism grants. Lynn Cannon, M.Ed., is a social learning specialist at The Ivymount School and The Maddux School. Ms. Cannon received her M.Ed., in Special Education from the University of Virginia. For over 15 years, she has worked as an educator, administrator and program director, serving students with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Ms. Cannon is also a co-author of Solving Executive Challenges, a resource guide for teachers and parents and The Conversation Club, an instructional manual for teaching conversation skills to students with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Her research and teaching interests are in developing interventions and support materials for students with neurodevelopmental disabilities, therapists, educators and their families. She is currently working with federal grant to develop IvySCIP, an assessment, IEP development tool and curricular resource for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Lisa Greenman, J.D., is an attorney in Washington, D.C., specializing in issues relating to developmental disability and mental illness that arise in the defense of death penalty cases. She is closely involved with two innovative educational programs that serve children with autism spectrum disorder, Take2 Summer Camp, which she cofounded, and The Ivymount School, where she is on the board of directors. She is also a member of the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Mental Health. Ms. Greenman is the parent of two children, one of whom has autism. She is overwhelmingly grateful for the wisdom and guidance of the coauthors of this book, from whom she and her family have learned so much.
