Tag Archives: autism basics

The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum

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theautisticbrainThe Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum by Temple Grandin.

(XAB Grand 2013)

Weaving her own experience with remarkable new discoveries, Grandin introduces the neuroimaging advances and genetic research that link brain science to behavior, even sharing her own brain scan to show us which anomalies might explain common symptoms. We meet the scientists and self-advocates who are exploring innovative theories of what causes autism and how we can diagnose and best treat it. Grandin also highlights long-ignored sensory problems and the transformative effects we can have by treating autism symptom by symptom, rather than with an umbrella diagnosis. Most exciting, she argues that raising and educating kids on the spectrum isn’t just a matter of focusing on their weaknesses; in the science that reveals their long-overlooked strengths she shows us new ways to foster their unique contributions. From the “aspies” in Silicon Valley to the five-year-old without language, Grandin understands the true meaning of the word spectrum. The Autistic Brain is essential reading from the most respected and beloved voices in the field.

If available, item can be checked out from the resource room at no cost.

 

Autism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z: Assessment, Diagnosis… & More!

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autism spectrum disorders from a to zAutism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z: Assessment, Diagnosis… & More! by Barbara T. Doyle.

XAB Doyle 2004

This extremely comprehensive book goes step-by-step through the symptoms, definitions, assessments, and diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The authors describe ASDs in terms of the parents, teachers, the school system, medical professionals, adult service providers, and private agencies involved. In addition to revealing what parents and professional can expect, this book also provides practical strategies to improve the assessment process and help the child or adult deal with the stress of the evaluations. Finally, they tackle the controversial issues surrounding the causes of ASD and available treatment options.

Helpful sections include:

  • Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
  • The Diagnostic Process
  • Characteristics of ASD
  • Considerations in the Diagnosis of ASD
  • Diagnostic Criteria, Explained

And many more!

If available, item can be checked out from the resource room at no cost.

 

TED talk from Ami Klin

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Ami Klin (an award winning researcher in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder) discusses how autism develops and how autism might be diagnosed in the future.

Rosie Explains Autism

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In this video (from the BBC) Rosie explains what autism means to her as a person diagnosed with Asperger’s and a big sister to a boy with more severe autism.  This video really highlights the autism spectrum and discusses the challenges associated with autism from the child’s point of view.

The Autism Society

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Looking for general information about autism and life?  The Autism Society would be a good first stop.

autism society

Autism Speaks

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Autism Speaks has many great resources.  We really like their video glossary– this web-based tool is designed to help parents and professionals learn more about the early red flags and diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by seeing side-by-side the subtle differences between typical and delayed development in young children (this does require creating a login, but it’s free).  The treatment section includes some of the more commonly used interventions for children on the autism spectrum: behavioral interventions, developmental interventions, structured teaching and supports, clinical therapies, and toddler treatment models.  We also like their great tool kits.

Autism Speaks is not without it’s controversies.  They have not fully discredited the myth that ASD is caused by vaccines and often talk about ASD in terms of treatment as if it was a disease to be cured.  Despite these limitations, Autism Speaks, has many great resources for families and professionals.

autism speaks

Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project

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Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project (IATTAP) is a great place to get training materials.  Their goal is to increase information about ASD throughout the state of Illinois.  We like thier video for a basic introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder (available streaming or they can send you a DVD).  It’s appropriate for family members, school personnel (including teaching assistants and general education staff), as well as community members who want to learn about ASD.  IATTAP also introduces basic effective strategies for interacting with individuals with ASD.

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, this website may not look flashy, but has useful training information.

A Practical Guide to Autism: What Every Parent, Family Member and Teacher Needs to Know

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autismA Practical Guide to Autism: What Every Parent, Family Member and Teacher Needs to Know by Fred Volkmar and Lisa Wiesner

(XAB Volkm 2009 c.2)

Written by the director of the Yale Child Study Center and a pediatrician, A Practical Guide to Autism is filled with advice and answers to everyday questions about living and learning with autism. This book has easy-to-access, reliable information regarding the selection of doctors, schools, services, and insurance, as well as day-to-day living in the family, school, and community.  A Practical Guide to Autism also provides a detailed background on autism and related Autism Spectrum Disorders including Asperger syndrome.

If available, item can be borrowed from the resource room at no cost.

Asperger’s Diagnostic Assessment

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assessmentAsperger’s Diagnostic Assessment a DVD by Tony Attwood.

(XAS Attwo 2004)

This DVD features Tony Attwood lecturing on the diagnostic characteristic of Asperger’s Syndrome and describing a process for explaining the diagnosis to a child or adult. It also features an interview with a young man with Asperger’s and his parents. Disc One: 3 hours, Disc Two: 56 minutes. This video comes with 76 page program guide.

If available, item can be checked out from the resource room at no cost.

Asperger’s and Girls

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Asperger’s and GirlsAsperger’s and Girls  by Tony Attwood, Temple Grandin, Teresa Bolick, and Catherine Faherty.

(XAS Attwo 2006)

You find in this book up-to-date information for girls and woman with Asperger’s syndrome. It covers topics such as diagnoses, education, puberty, relationships, and careers. Experts in the field share practical advice for both caregivers and the women and girls who are affected by Asperger’s. Pp. 152.

If available, item can be checked out from the resource room at no cost.

Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome

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fast factsUnderstanding Asperger’s Syndrome: Fast Facts–A Guide for Teachers and Educators to Address the Needs of the Student by Emily Burrows and Sheila Wagner.

(XAS Burro 2004)

This book is a guide for teachers and educators to address the needs of the student. Pp. 29.

If available, item can be checked out from the resource room at no cost.

The Oasis Guide to Asperger’s

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The Oasis Guide to Asperger’sThe Oasis Guide to Asperger’s  Patricia Romanowski Bashe, Barbara L. Kirby, Simon Baron-Cohen, and Tony Attwood.

This book includes information on diagnosis, evaluation, medication, therapies, and social skill development. Pp. 486.

If available, item can be checked out from the resource room at no cost.

Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit

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kitAutism Speaks 100 Day Kit

(XAB Autis 2010).

This is a tool kit to assist families in getting the critical information they need in the first 100 Days after an autism diagnosis.

If available, can be checked out from resource room at no cost.

Or request a download here.

Wretches and Jabbers

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Wretches and JabbersWretches and Jabbers  a film by Gerardine Wurzburg.

(XAB Wretc 2010)

 

Two men with autism embark on a global quest to change prevailing attitudes about disability and intelligence.

If available, this can be checked out from the resource room at no cost.

Autism Every Day

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everydayAutism Every Day by Alyson Beytien.

(XAB Beyti 2011)

This guidebook combines real-life stories of challenges and successes with practical ideas for handling autism, every day. Autism consultant Alyson Beytien outlines over 150 tried-and-true techniques for home, school, and community. Pp. 286.

If available, this can be checked out from the resource room at no cost.

The Complete Guide to Autism Treatments

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complete guideThe Complete Guide to Autism Treatments  by Dr. Sabrina Freeman.

( XAB Freeman 2007)

This book scrutinizes the range of treatment options offered to parents of children with autism so that parents can make sure that the treatment they have chosen for their child stands up to the claims made by the treatment provider. Pp. 509.

If available, this can be checked out from the resource room at no cost.