John Clements – författare

First published in 1994. This book is a practical guide for those involved in the daily care, education and development of people with learning disabilities and additional behavioural and emotional disturbances. It will assist professional helpers in understanding the nature of an individual’s difficulties and in developing interventions aimed at alleviating them.

First published in 1994. This book is a practical guide for those involved in the daily care, education and development of people with learning disabilities and additional behavioural and emotional disturbances. It will assist professional helpers in understanding the nature of an individual’s difficulties and in developing interventions aimed at alleviating them.

People with autism spectrum conditions may often behave in ways that cause difficulties for themselves and those who care for them. People with Autism Behaving Badly offers effective, long-term strategies to help resolve common problem behaviors such as physical aggression, self-injury, verbal abuse, rudeness and property damage.The book is organized around the common messages conveyed by behaviors and some of the underlying issues that drive these messages. Practical ideas for intervention are provided and illustrated by case examples. A range of exercises help to build understanding of the issues and detail appropriate plans. A log book helps to track what has been tried and what has been learned. In addition the author explores the role of relationship `styles' that can help reduce challenging behaviors and encourage positive ones. Realistic information about working together with individuals, families and outside agencies, and about the pros and cons of medication, is also included.This hands-on, practical manual is indispensable for families, carers and anyone involved with autistic people who need help with behavioral or emotional challenges.

Young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) can often find the step into adulthood and independence more difficult than their neurotypical peers, particularly where employment is concerned. The authors show, however, that with the right guidance and a positive attitude in schools, young people with ASDs can be every bit as happy and successful as those who are not on the spectrum.The book describes a programme developed over a number of years by teachers at a school for young people with ASDs, which successfully enabled autistic pupils to achieve their full potential. The authors explain in detail the challenges faced by the young people at the school, and show how, encouraged by a culture of optimism and hopefulness, the programme developed their confidence and skills, with the result that many of them are now in employment. The book also provides an in-depth exploration of a multitude of styles and techniques for building relationships. Concluding with a reflection on leadership and organisational culture, the authors demonstrate that if the approach is adopted by an entire school and not just a handful of teachers, it really can work.This inspiring and innovative book will be a must for educators at every level, psychologists, academics, and anybody else interested in a positive educational approach that will enable young people with ASDs to get the most out of life.

Bringing up a child with developmental disabilities, especially autism, presents many challenges for parents, and the focus of attention is almost invariably on the child. This practical and compassionate book looks at a range of issues from the parents' point of view - from whether their child really loves them, to challenging received wisdom on matters such as sensory integration and boarding school. The author's many decades of experience of working with families provide the basis for this practical support and help in thinking about and approaching some of the most difficult and intractable issues.One, often unvoiced, concern for parents is whether their children love or care about them. The first section of the book consists of three letters from young people to their parents, showing clearly that though they may never have been able to say so directly, they do love and appreciate their parents, and what they have done for them - a strong message for all parents in a similar situation. Clements goes on to look at how the parenting agenda changes over time, how to see beyond the diagnoses and the constant need to deal with immediate problems, to see the real people who make up the family, the impact on siblings, how to manage the system and the multiple professional agencies over long periods of time, and how to think about the offer of medication to control behaviour. An important section addresses some of the most distressing behavioural challenges: physical aggression, verbal abuse, long-term severe self-injury, property damage, and obsessions. Finally, Clements offers objective and open-minded reflections on received wisdom about two other unchallenged topics - sensory integration, and the usefulness or otherwise of boarding schools. The book is practical, compassionate, and above all, useful. It will be of ongoing use to parents, and equally useful to professionals working with families encountering the issues covered.

Behavioural Concerns and Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Explanations and Strategies for Change is a practical and comprehensive account of how people who attract autism labels can come to behave in ways that give rise to serious concerns in other people and, sometimes, themselves. The authors identify the range of needs that may be expressed through behaviours that cause concern and provide strategies for addressing both needs and behaviours. These strategies are based on extensive research and on the authors' own clinical experience.Each aspect of need is analysed in detail. General principles for dealing with these needs are presented, and in each case a 'tips and hints' section offers more specific help on possible solutions. Included in the appendices are advice on identifying the factors behind a behaviour that causes concern and guidance on how to ensure that support services are delivering what they should. This is a book that will be essential reading for all those working or living with autistic people.

People with developmental disabilities sometimes behave in ways that others, or they themselves, regard as problematic. This original book is about what practitioners can do to make sense of behaviors, in order to support clients more effectively.The author offers practical strategies for gathering and analysing information about behaviors, in partnership with the individual concerned, in order to gain a useful understanding of why a particular behavior occurs. The inclusion of case histories, with corresponding behavior plans, clearly demonstrates the real-life application of assessment methods.With its strong emphasis on the importance of establishing equitable, respectful relationships between professionals and people with learning disabilities, this is a book that professionals involved in the lives of people with developmental disabilities will find invaluable.