✼ ADD/ADHD ✼
☙ Books
How to Get Your Child Off the Refrigerator and On to Learning, Carol Barnier. Book description from Amazon: Carol Barnier knew that her son--more likely to be sitting on the table (or the refrigerator) than in his chair--was worthy of high expectations. She also knew that he could easily miss achieving them if she didn't find the right key to unlock his capacity to learn. Carol found volumes of information on how to recognize the challenges in ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) children, how to manage them, how to discipline them, and how to accept them. But no one told her how to teach her son math tomorrow. In her search for solutions, she developed techniques that are not only fun for all children, but highly successful with any child who struggles with focus. ISBN 1883002702 or 978-1883002701; purchase at amazon.com.
Organize Your ADD/ADHD Child, Cheryl R. Carter. Living with ADHD can be hectic, and parents of children with this disorder can be driven to distraction when even the simplest of tasks causes havoc. This book addresses the issues of organization and time management in relation to ADHD, suggesting practical ways of organizing your child's day to day life that turn chaos into calm. Cheryl Carter recognizes that children hate anything that is boring, and finds a fun way around even the most mundane of tasks. Her no-nonsense, step-by-step strategies, in combination with positive affirmations and realistic demands, will get ADHD children organized, and from A to B without a hitch. This book is a must-have for flagging parents struggling to structure their child's life (and indeed their own). ISBN 9781849058391; purchase at amazon.com.
✼ Asperger Syndrome ✼
☙ Books
Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments, Brenda Smith Myles and Jack Southwick. This expanded edition of the bestselling AAPC classic offers both parents and professionals tried-and-true solutions to minimize and circumvent the often frightening circumstances that surround the rage cycle not only for the child with Asperger Syndrome but others in the environment as well. Available at Heads Up Now.
Developing Talents, Temple Grandin and Kate Duffy. Book Subtitle: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism. This career planning guide is written specifically for high-functioning adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum, their families, teachers, and counselors. Available here at Heads Up Now.
Finding Our Way, Kristi Sakai. Subtitle: Practical solutions for creating a supportive home and community for the Asperger Syndrome Family. This book, written by the mother of three children with autism spectrum disorders, targets, with a balance of heart-warming and belly-aching humor and practical tools, the major challenges families face in creating a comfortable environment for every family member. Available through Heads Up Now.
The Mom's Guide to Asperger Syndrome, Jan Johnston-Tyler. Written primarily for parents of children who have newly been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. It is especially a great resource for the preschool through elementary school years. This user-friendly book leaves no stone unturned, as it explains, in a friendly, familiar voice, situations and issues that all parents with an AS child will encounter at one point or another. Full of easy-to-use suggestions. Available through Heads Up Now.
Social Skills Training, Jed E. Baker, Ph.D. For children and adolescents with Asperger Syndrome. In this comprehensive and user-friendly book, the author translates years of experience working with students with Asperger Syndrome and social-communication difficulties. The essence of this must-have resource: 70 of the skills that most commonly cause difficulty for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and social-communication problems. The presentation of each skill consists of a reproducible skill handout, as well as activity sheets listing ways teachers and parents can demonstrate, practice, and reinforce the skill in the classroom and at home. Available here at Heads Up Now.
☙ Web Resources
Podcast on HSLDA website. HSLDA is hosting this podcast on Asperger's, with Dianne Craft speaking. Dianne is HSLDA's Special Needs Consultant. Topics of the podcast include:
- What is Asperger's?
- There's No Place Like Home
- Learning My Way
- Building the Social Connection
- Come Alongside
✼ Assessment ✼
☙ Web Resources
The Great Plains Laboratory. A testing service for many special needs, The Great Plains Laboratory helps children and adults with conditions such as autism and PDD, ADD/ADHD, Down's Syndrome with autistic-like symptoms, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, MS or MS-like symptoms, and more.
Hawaii Early Learning Profile (HELP) Series and Behavioral Characteristics Profile (BCP), published by VORT Corporation. Assessment Strands (an inventory) and learning activities for early education and elementary school ages. Sample pages of their publications are available on their website. Good for planning and breaking skills down for teaching. You MUST be a professional to order, and may use your official school name to do so.
Luke's Life List and Luke's School List, by Joyce Herzog. Rather than diagnostic, these are checklists that can be used to give direction as to what to concentrate on teaching next. Organized from a Christian perspective, these include Bible teaching and character development in a comprehensive way. Purchase at amazon.com -- Luke's Life List and Luke's School List.
✼ Assistive Technology ✼
☙ Web Resources
Chester Creek. Innovative keyboards, mice, and accessories for all ages and abilities.
✼ Autism ✼
☙ Books
Autism: The Scientific Truth about Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Autism Spectrum Disorder--and What Parents Can Do Now, Dr. Robert Melillo. A clear explanation of the causes of the autism epidemic—and a scientifically based approach for prevention and treatment. In this candid, research-based, practical book, Dr. Melillo presents the latest scientific explanation for how we got here and proven, drug-free strategies that parents can employ to help prevent, detect, and address the autism epidemic for themselves and their families. Contains the latest scientific research tells us about the role of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, dispels myths and replaces them with the facts. In addition, he presents early warning signs, a prevention plan for parents-to-be, and an intervention program for babies and young children. Available through Amazon.
Building Bridges, Ellen Yack, B.Sc., M.Ed., O.T. et al. Perfect for those working with young children, but broad enough to be adapted for older children and adults. Provides creative techniques and useful tips while offering innovative strategies and practical advice for dealing with everyday challenges. Available here via Heads Up Now website.
Developing Talents, Temple Grandin and Kate Duffy. Book Subtitle: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism. This career planning guide is written specifically for high-functioning adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum, their families, teachers, and counselors. Available here at Heads Up Now.
Disconnected Kids, Dr. Robert Melillo. Description from Amazon: "Each year, an estimated 1.5 million children--one out of every six--are diagnosed with autism, Asperger's syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Dr. Robert Melillo brings a fundamentally new understanding to the cause of these conditions with his revolutionary Brain Balance Program(tm). It has achieved real, fully documented results that have dramatically improved the quality of life for children and their families in every aspect: behavioral, emotional, academic, and social. Disconnected Kids shows parents how to use this drug-free approach at home." Book includes fully customizable program with exercises, behavior modification, food sensitivities, and follow-up. ISBN 0399535608; available at amazon.com. Sequel: Reconnected Kids (below).
Do-Watch-Listen-Say, Kathleen Ann Quill. Book subtitle: Social and Communication Intervention for Children with Autism. Available through Heads Up Now.
Facing Autism, Lynn Hamilton. A narrative of one mother’s experiences working with her autistic child. Includes informative summaries of various therapies available. ISBN 1578562627; purchase at amazon.com.
Finding Our Way, Kristi Sakai. Subtitle: Practical solutions for creating a supportive home and community for the Asperger Syndrome Family. This book, written by the mother of three children with autism spectrum disorders, targets, with a balance of heart-warming and belly-aching humor and practical tools, the major challenges families face in creating a comfortable environment for every family member. Available through Heads Up Now.
Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family's Triumph Over Autism, Catherine Maurice. In their desperate struggle to save their daughter, the Maurices plunged into a medical nightmare of false hopes, "miracle cures," and infuriating suggestions that Anne-Marie's autism was somehow their fault. Finally, Anne-Marie was saved by an intensive behavioral therapy. Let Me Hear Your Voice is a mother's illuminating account of how one family triumphed over autism. Available through Amazon.
Reconnected Kids, Dr. Robert Melillo. This book is a guide to help parents resolve their child's behavioral problems-without medication, strife, or drama. This empowering method shows parents how to first identify their own role in their child's behavior, and then how to guide the child to focus on goals, practice lifelong good habits, and stay motivated. ISBN 0399536485; available at amazon.com.
This Anguishing, Blessed Journey, Sonya Shafer. A faith journal that addresses the spiritual struggles that a parent faces when her child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Lots of Scripture. Very encouraging. ISBN 1594670803; purchase from amazon.com. [recommended resource]
Too Wise to Be Mistaken, Too Good to Be Unkind, Cathy Steere. A tremendously God-honoring book which faithfully points to Christ Who alone can sustain parents through the joys and sorrows of raising a challenged child. Told through the eyes and even the thoughts of the author, it is the story of the family's passage from the initial inklings that something was wrong to the diagnosis of autism through their growing understanding of how to shepherd their precious autistic son. Excellent book and recommended resource. Available through [link to be provided soon].
☙ Web Resources
Aut2bHome. A wonderful blog by a mom who chronicles her experiences homeschooling her autistic daughter. Lots of detailed how-to’s and links to great resources. Wonderful videos demonstrating RDI therapy.
Autism Blogs Directory. This blog site hosts links to autism-related blogs. [Blogs may be from all walks of life; use discretion.]
The Autism File. The website for a quarterly magazine dealing with all aspects of autism. Articles in the quarterly magazine are written by parents, doctors, consultants, teachers, and others who have written on the subject of autism. The website contains information on all aspects of autism--description, diagnosis, treatment and therapy, diet and nutrition, education, science, and research. They also maintain a blog, accessible through the website. While homeschooling does not seem to be addressed as an option, this website contains a lot of useful information.
Autism Spectrum Resource Center. The mission of the ASRC is to provide, through its many programs, the most recent information and research to parents and professionals. Although located in Connecticut, the ASRC website has many links to resources and articles that parents of autistic children may find helpful.
The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum. This link takes you to a video and article. The video features Temple Grandin, and addresses the transformation that autism has undergone over the past several decades. The article further discusses causes, the connection between autism and gut flora, and helpful strategies to restore health and function.
By Your Side Autism Language Center. By Your Side, a speech and language therapy center, is dedicated to teaching children and young adults with autism language concepts, communication strategies and social skills to cope and communicate within the demands of everyday life.
Carly's Voice. At the age of two, Carly was diagnosed with autism. Now a teenager, Carly has found her voice through the keyboard. She has a blog and website, and her father has written a book blending her own words and his story of getting to know his remarkable daughter.
Intentional Parents--Dealing with Special Needs. This is a page at the Intentional Parents website on which Sonya shares several links regarding symptoms, diagnosis, therapies, and journey with their daughter with autism. On this page, there is also a link to a page with resources for families facing a journey with special needs.
Love to Know. Tons of links regarding teaching autistic children. Not written for homeschoolers, but many links may be helpful in the homeschooling environment. Article topics include IEPs, goals, environment, activities, etc.
Many Hats Mommy. This blogger has a son with autism, and posts helpful articles, etc. on autism and about her journey as a home educator with an autistic son.
Organizing Made Fun: Autism. A blog about organization to help your child with autism, Becky shares so much more, including her story, books to read, websites, and other resources and helps.
PREACCH (Parents Rearing and Educating Autistic Children in Christian Homes). A Christian e-mail loop for parents of ASD children. Moderated by Jill Bond.
Shepherd Boy. The purpose of Shepherd Boy is to give parents and professionals the opportunity to share hands-on, practical ideas for working with individuals that have autism and related disabilities, and to be a source of encouragement to those raising or working with individuals with autism and related disabilities.
✼ Autism Therapies ✼
ABA -- Applied Behavior Analysis
☙ Books
Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism, edited by Catherine Maurice.
A how-to manual for ABA therapy. Comprehensive list of skills to teach with detailed instructions, specific tips, and reproducible forms. ISBN 0890796831; purchase at amazon.com.
Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family's Triumph Over Autism, Catherine Maurice. One family’s story of their experience “storming the castle” to bring two of their children back from their autistic “own little world.” Emphasizes ABA therapy. ISBN 0449906647; purchase at amazon.com.
RDI -- Relationship Development Intervention
☙ Books
Autism/Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle, Steven E. Gutstein. Explains a therapy (Relationship Development Intervention [RDI]) that encourages autistic children to develop emotional sharing and social connectedness through enjoyable activities. Based on research that breaks down the social development of neurologically typical children into six levels with step-by-step stages within each level. Revolutionary concept in therapy that nudges autistic children toward relating without “scripts.” ISBN 1885477708; purchase at amazon.com.
Relationship Development Intervention with Young Children, Steven E. Gutstein and Rachelle K. Sheely. Describes the enjoyable activities used for Levels 1–3 of Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) as described in Autism/Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle (see review under "Autism"). ISBN 1843107147; purchase at amazon.com.
Relationship Development Intervention with Children, Adolescents and Adults, Steven E. Gutstein and Rachelle K. Sheely. Level 4–6 activities are included in this "sequel" to the above book. ISBN 1843107171; purchase at amazon.com.
☙ Web Resources
RDI blog. A wonderful blog by a homeschool mom who chronicles her experiences homeschooling her autistic daughter. Lots of detailed how-to’s and links to great resources. Wonderful videos demonstrating the RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) approach.
✼ College ✼
☙ Web Resources
College Living Experience. An organization which helps students with special needs experience independence and transition into college and life beyond.
Colleges with programs for students with learning disabilities. Almost all colleges and universities provide some level of services and/or accommodations for learning disabled students, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The colleges and universities listed on this website go a step further--they offer programs, some quite comprehensive, designed to support students with learning disabilities.
Education Quest Foundation. Helpful information regarding the whole process of deciding on college, what/when/where/how issues, exploring careers, financial aid, etc. Lots of helpful links to research. Helpful for the typical student as well.
Shepherds College. The country's leading three-year post-secondary educational program for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
