Two New "Topics in Autism" Books

We really like the "Topics in Autism" series from Woodbine House here at the ASNC Bookstore. Each book is written by professionals in the field, who present their information in a clear, knowledgable manner, accessible to professionals, paraprofessionals, and parents alike. Here are the two newest books in the series.

Self-Help Skills for People with Autism: A Systematic Teaching Approach stresses the importance of teaching self-help skills, reasoning that they are the foundation for many other more complex skills needed to reduce long-term dependence on others. It is appropriate for use with individuals between the ages of 24 months to the early teen years; however, it can also be used with older individuals working on skills typically taught within that age range. The core self-help skills presented in this guide are eating, toileting, dressing, and personal hygiene. Although the authors recommend a systematic approach, individualized instruction is stressed to help ensure successful skill acquisition. Emphasis is placed on developmental milestones, adhering to individual readiness to learn, and what the family or professional is prepared to teach. The authors also discuss determining what to teach, the context for learning, and motivating the individual to learn. Step-by-step examples include identifying target skills, baseline task analysis, instruction plans, and planning for the generalization of skills across settings.

Visual Supports For People with Autism: A Guide for Parents and Professionals was written by experienced professionals who currently head the Adult and Transitional Services Division at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers University. They have written this resource to provide parents and professionals with the tools they need to accommodate the visual learner in any environment. The book provides valuable information on how to identify individuals who need visual supports, and also offers guidelines for use and determining the effectiveness of chosen supports. Illustrated visual support examples are presented in areas such as classroom organization; daily schedules; developing language; increasing memory; facilitating attending; motivation; and teaching sequential, math, reading, and social skills. The book is filled with more than 140 visual support ideas, and it also contains numerous tips, strategies, and case examples.