First Steps in Intervention with Your Child with Autism: Frameworks for Communication

by Wendy Prevezer, Elizabeth Newson, Phil Christie, Pamela Venus (Illustrator), Susie Chandler

Overview

One of the major difficulties for children with autism is in developing communication and language. The earlier this problem is addressed, the more effectively these skills can be improved.

Inspired by research and clinical practice, this book addresses communication and language development of children with autism, from teaching non-verbal communication such as pointing, to moving towards spoken language. This book champions initial intervention with children at an early stage of communication, but the many practical ideas and strategies can also be usefully applied to children of school age, if they are at an early stage of communication.

First Steps in Intervention With Your Child With Autism is perfect for parents looking to understand their child better and, in turn, help improve their child's development and communication. This will also be a useful reference for all professionals working to support families with a child on the autism spectrum.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846429439
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	05/15/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Phil Christie is Consultant Child Psychologist and Director of Sutherland House Children's Services, which includes a non-maintained special school for students with autism between the ages of 3-19. Elizabeth Newson was joint director of the Child Development Research Unit at Nottingham University with her husband John, until she was made Emeritus Professor on her retirement in 1994. She was awarded the OBE for services to children on the autistic spectrum in 1999. Wendy Prevezer, formerly a speech and language therapist, has worked with children on the autism spectrum as a Music Specialist at Sutherland House School since 1986, using and developing the Musical Interaction approach. Susie Chandler is a research psychologist now based at the Institute of Child Health and Guy's Hospital, London where she continues to carry out research into the identification and treatment of autism spectrum conditions, through screening and early intervention studies.
Phil Christie is Director of Sutherland House Children's Services, run by autism charity NORSACA (www.norsaca.org.uk), and leads a team of Consultant Child Psychologists at the Elizabeth Newson Centre. The centre carries out training and research activities and has particular expertise in PDA. He is also Associate Editor of 'Good Autism Practice', and became Chair of the Advisory Council of the Autism Education Trust in 2009.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction. Chapter 2. Developing an Understanding of Autism. Chapter 3. Taking the First Steps. Chapter 4. Interactive Play. Chapter 5. The Beginnings of Structure. Chapter 6. Teaching Pointing. Chapter 7. Understanding Language. Chapter 8. Moving Towards Spoken Language. Chapter 9. Sharing Conceptual Play. Index.

Editorial Reviews

This is a beautifully written book by experienced practitioners from differing professional backgrounds...It's clearly written teaching ideas will be highly valued by parents and professionals alike. Even experienced practitioners are likely to find new ideas or approaches to consider...This book will be highly valued addition to these because to its unique style in sharing theory and practice.

Naplic Newsletter

This enjoyable, easy to read, informative book champions initial intervention with preschool children with autism. It contains many practical ideas and strategies centred around interactive play and early social communication that can also be applied to school aged children if they are at an early stage... It is good value for money for departments on a budget.

Speech & Language Therapy in Practice

This book is written to address one of the major difficulties children with autism face; developing social empathy. The book supports individual early intervention in order to progress early communication skills. The text provides an overview on understanding autism and guides the reader through topics such as interactive play, teaching pointing, understanding language, developing spoken language and sharing conceptual play... The book provides a lovely, gentle way of comparing typical development of childhood communication to those with a diagnosis of autism. It is very easy to read and interweaves practical activities and strategies... The book is perfect for parents looking to understand a child who has a diagnosis of autism, and ways they can help develop the child's communication. It is an appropriate text for occupational therapists and professionals that are new to working with children with autism.

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

This book offers a wealth of of strategies and will help parents to understand their child better and help them to improve their child's development and communication. This will also be useful to professionals working to support families with a child on the autism spectrum.

Communication