Brenda Smith Myles – författare

With the increased number of children being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, parents and professionals are in search of materials that provide information theat will enable them to better understand affected children. While in the past individuals who were diagnosed had limited verbal and intellectual skills, newly diagnosed children often have good language skills and even areas of giftedness. This A-to-Z work contains original entries on the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Entries include facts about disabilities, personal and historic perspectives, interventions, assessments, educational methods, trusted internet resources, and national organizations. The work outlines the contributions of founding researchers and other professionals and includes personal perspectives from individuals with ASD and their parents. It also includes lesson plans that can be implemented in a home, school, or community setting. No other such definitive resource exists that provides both educational and practical information related to ASD.

"This comprehensive, thoughtful, and clearly written book provides helpful strategies for educational professionals to teach children and youth with Asperger syndrome (AS). Every teacher interested in AS will want to read this book." —Susan Moreno, PresidentMAAP Services for Autism & Asperger Syndrome How can you make the school year successful for your students with Asperger syndrome? Asperger syndrome (AS) is a disorder in the autism spectrum, and students with AS suffer from similar, though milder, symptoms as students with autism. Classroom teachers who are charged with teaching students with AS generally have not been provided the skills and knowledge to do so. Crafting and implementing plans for students is nearly impossible without a clear understanding of the disorder, or clearly defined instructional methods and strategies. Children and Youth With Asperger Syndrome provides important strategies in teaching children and youth diagnosed with AS. This essential resource for teachers and other educators presents research-based, instructional, behavioral, and environmental strategies for teachers, including:Adaptations for success in general education settings Environmental modifications, including visual supports and organizational strategies Technology accommodations Transition planning Emotional, behavioral, and social supportsChildren and youth with AS are often misunderstood. These individuals have great potential that frequently remains unrealized because the modifications they require to be successful are not made. By using the practical strategies in this guide, however, educators can at last effectively meet the needs of students with AS.

With Contributions From: Sonja R. de Boer-Ott, Deborah E. Griswold, Brenda Smith Myles, Sara E. Byrd, Jennifer B. Ganz, Katherine Tapscott Cook, Kaye L. Otten, Josefa Ben-Arich, Sue Ann Kline, and Lisa Garriott Adams

How can you best help a child with autism reach their full potential?

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) present a perplexing challenge for parents and school professionals. Literally dozens of interventions and treatments are available, so how does one know which intervention strategy works best for any given child or situation? This essential resource was developed to respond directly to the extraordinary difficulty school professionals and families face in selecting and applying appropriate, effective interventions and treatments for the children in their care.

The information is presented in a straightforward and simple format, practical for finding clear answers to complex questions. For easy access, the book is organized into the following five intervention categories-Interpersonal Relationships, Skill-Based Treatment Programs, Cognitive Methods, Physiological/Biological/Neurological Approaches, and Other Treatments and Interventions. Each category contains several detailed reviews, including:

A description of the intervention or treatment Reported benefits and effects associated with its use A synthesis of how the outcomes relate to individuals with ASD A discussion of who is best qualified to implement it, including when and where Potential costs and risks

Comprehensive in scope, this resource briefly evaluates over 40 commonly used interventions and treatments for individuals with ASD, as well as detailed evaluations of their utility and efficiency. It will assist readers in critically evaluating and choosing those methods that have the highest probability of yielding benefits for this special population.

Children and youth with autism and related exceptionalities have great potential. However, all too often their abilities are not realized. Simple Strategies That Work! provides easy-to-implement ideas and suggestions that teachers can use to help a students with autism and related needs on the road to success. The book discusses how teachers can adjust the classroom to meet the needs of an individual with autism, while not interfering with normal classroom routines. Not boggled down with jargon, this book includes tables and boxes for quick reference and clear meaning for autism-related information. Also included is information about what can cause anxiety for the student on the spectrum, how this can lead to decreased academic and social performance, decreased attention to task, and potential increases in behavior problems, and what the teacher can do to assist. With easy-to-implement suggestions, these simple strategies help all kids learn and make a difference in the life of somebody with high-functioning autism.

Get off to a good start. Learn sensible, solid strategies that can be put into practice with children on the autism spectrum right away. "Starting Points: The Basics of Understanding and Supporting Children and Youth with Asperger Syndrome" offers a variety of strategies and visual supports that help children on the spectrum such as: who have difficulty with abstract concepts and thoughts; who have difficulty understanding and regulating emotions; who have difficulty recognizing, interpreting, and empathizing with the emotions of others; who find it easier to answer questions with choices versus open-ended questions; need cues for how and when to transition from an activity or place to the next; and, much more. Starting from the premise that no two individuals with AS are the same, Hudson and Myles provide a global perspective of how the core characteristics of AS may appear separately and/or simultaneously, and how they may manifest themselves in a variety of situations. Each characteristic is then paired with a brief explanation, followed by a series of bulleted interventions.

School administrators play a key role in creating a mind-set within their school district, region, or school as to how school personnel approach various challenges they may encounter when working with students and families. In many instances, a school administrator can provide certain accommodations for students with disabilities, as well as guide decisions regarding how teachers address behavioral challenges. The purpose of this book is to provide school administrators with useful and practical suggestions and strategies that can increase student achievement, engagement, positive behavior, and social skills for high-functioning students on the spectrum (HF-ASD); help reduce educator stress and frustration; and increase positive interactions between families and school personnel so that the school day is more successful for all parties.

Excelling with Autism: Obtaining Critical Mass Using Deliberate Practice introduces a new way to optimize the progress of learners with ASD. Reaching critical mass helps learners apply information in new ways – spontaneous generalization. This book is about doing things differently to positively impact individuals on the spectrum by supporting the development of critical mass in areas that are necessary for successful functioning in home, work, and community using the research-based elements of deliberate practice. In this book, the four elements of deliberate practice -- developing specific goals, ensuring focus, moving out of the comfort zone, and communicating outcomes -- are applied to teaching social, communication, and daily living skills. Critical mass and the related science of deliberate practice will change the life course of individuals with ASD. Incorporating the elements of deliberate practice is a critical step toward helping individuals with ASD to reach their unlimited potential.

Learn how to stop a meltdown! This book offers tried-and-true solutions to minimize and circumvent the often frightening circumstances that surround the cycle of meltdowns, not only for the child with autism, but others in the environment as well. A highly practical and user-friendly resource, High-Functioning Autism and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Meltdowns (4th edition) describes the three-stage cycle of a meltdown and identifies the evidence-based strategies that should be used at each stage. In addition, this book outlines how to prevent the occurrence of meltdowns through instruction, interpretation, and coaching. The author of this very practical book takes the reader through the stages of the cycle and emphasizes the importance of utilizing systematic instruction and teachable moments before and after a meltdown. The book also notes that (a) meltdowns are not purposeful and (b) instruction is needed in order for them to stop. Readers will appreciate the practical steps that are given to complete this journey successfully.

In the third edition of this popular book, the authors narrow their target to issues common to adolescents and young adults. While many of the features of the original book have been maintained, information on evidence-based practice has been added. Further, a series of instructional strategies are provided that can be used to teach the hidden curriculum. Instructional aids include charts, forms, and templates designed to make the job of teaching and learning the hidden curriculum more effective.

The Comprehensive Autism Planning System for Individuals (CAPS) is a reflection of its creator. In his role as a state and national leader, Shawn Henry serves as an advocate for autistic individuals. Shawn and co-author Brenda Smith Myles clearly describe each element of the CAPS model in a well-organized text. Throughout the book, the authors and expert contributors highlight a variety of evidence-based strategies that correspond to each area of the CAPS. The CAPS model illustrates their ability to create meaningful change through realistic and practical means. The CAPS is simple, yet powerful.This tool helps teachers and educational teams plan and implement a student’s education across the school, including the Individualized Education Program (IEP), and the curriculum relevant to the student. It takes the team through the process of planning out the goals/objectives to be targeted in each activity of the day, the modifications and accommodations that should be provided to support the student in each activity, the sensory supports needed to help the student stay engaged, and the communication and social supports for successful learning.It shows the type of data to collect for each area and helps to note what reinforcers have been shown to be successful. While this system was developed for use with individuals on the autism spectrum, it can also be an essential tool for any student, regardless of the types of supports and needs they have. There are also vocational and transitional formats that are available for students making the transition to work.The CAPS has been updated to address current trends in special education instruction and research. In this edition, emphasis is placed on:InclusionSuccessful practices that support learning for autistic studentsUpdated evidence-based practices and case studies that apply the CAPS system to post-secondary education and employmentThrough the CAPS, individuals with autism have access to meaningful instruction that will allow them to reach their potential.

Coming soon.

Children and youth with autism and related exceptionalities have great potential. However, all too often their abilities are not realized. Simple Strategies That Work provides easy-to-implement ideas and suggestions that teachers can use to help students with autism and related needs on the road to success.The book discusses how teachers can adjust the classroom to meet the needs of an individual with autism, while not interfering with normal classroom routines. Not boggled down with jargon, this book includes tables and boxes for quick reference and clear meaning for autism-related information. Also included is information about what can cause anxiety for the student on the spectrum, how this can lead to decreased academic and social performance, decreased attention to task, and potential increases in behavior problems, and what the teacher can do to assist. With easy-to-implement suggestions, these simple strategies help all kids learn and make a difference in the life of somebody with autism.This second edition has updated research and updated tips that educators will appreciate.