The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

by Naoki Higashida, KA Yoshida and David Mitchell

You’ve never read a book like The Reason I Jump. Written by Naoki Higashida, a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, it is a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds in ways few of us can imagine. Parents and family members who never thought they could get inside the head of their autistic loved one at last have a way to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within.
 
Using an alphabet grid to painstakingly construct words, sentences, and thoughts that he is unable to speak out loud, Naoki answers even the most delicate questions that people want to know. Questions such as: “Why do people with autism talk so loudly and weirdly?” “Why do you line up your toy cars and blocks?” “Why don’t you make eye contact when you’re talking?” and “What’s the reason you jump?” (Naoki’s answer: “When I’m jumping, it’s as if my feelings are going upward to the sky.”) With disarming honesty and a generous heart, Naoki shares his unique point of view on not only autism but life itself. His insights—into the mystery of words, the wonders of laughter, and the elusiveness of memory—are so startling, so strange, and so powerful that you will never look at the world the same way again.
 
In his introduction, bestselling novelist David Mitchell writes that Naoki’s words allowed him to feel, for the first time, as if his own autistic child was explaining what was happening in his mind. “It is no exaggeration to say that The Reason I Jump allowed me to round a corner in our relationship.” This translation was a labor of love by David and his wife, KA Yoshida, so they’d be able to share that feeling with friends, the wider autism community, and beyond. Naoki’s book, in its beauty, truthfulness, and simplicity, is a gift to be shared.

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew

by Ellen Notbohm

Every parent, teacher, social worker, therapist, and physician should have this succinct and informative book in their back pocket. Framed with both humor and compassion, the book describes ten characteristics that help illuminate—not define—children with autism.

Ellen’s personal experiences as a parent of children with autism and ADHD, a celebrated autism author, and a contributor to numerous publications, classrooms, conferences, and websites around the world coalesce to create a guide for all who come in contact with a child on the autism spectrum. This updated edition delves into expanded thought and deeper discussion of communication issues, social processing skills, and the critical roles adult perspectives play in guiding the child with autism to a meaningful, self-sufficient, productive life.
 

A bonus section includes ten more essential, thought-provoking "things" to share with young people on the spectrum as they cross the threshold of adulthood, and an appendix of more than seventy questions suitable for group discussion or self-reflection. This new edition sounds an even more resonant call to action, carrying the reader farther into understanding the needs and the potential of every child with autism.

Early Intervention and Autism: Real-Life Questions, Real-Life Answers

by Dr. James Ball

Leave behind confusing textbooks and unreliable websites. This book will guide you through your child’s early years by providing sound advice based on over twenty years of experience. In an easy-to-read, question-answer format, Dr. Jim explains what makes your child tick, how to get the most out of early intervention services, and how to choose the most effective treatment options. Helpful features include:

• 10 Common Myths about Children with ASD
• 7 Effective Teaching Strategies
• 10 Behavior Rules to Live By
• Must-have EI Goals and Objectives for Children with ASD.

In a special how-to section in the book, Dr. Jim walks you through a typical day in the life of a young child with autism, from the time the child wakes up to the time he goes to bed. You will learn what to do (and not do), what to say (and not say), and how to use the strategies outlined in the book to teach your child new skills, manage behavior, and have fun while learning! No matter what your level of “autism expertise,” this is your game plan to start working with your child RIGHT AWAY!

Helpful chapters include:

• A Real-life Look at the Autism Spectrum
• Family Issues: The Personal Side of Autism
• What is Early Intervention?
• Building Your Dream Team
• Assessment: A Picture of Your Child’s Strengths and Challenges
• Blueprint for a Perfect Program
• Options, Options, Options! Choosing the Right Intervention Model for the ASD Child
• From Good to Bad to Meltdown: Understanding Your Child’s Behavior Challenges
• Little Kids, Big Issues: Sleeping, Eating, Toilet Training & Independence
• The Next Step: Transitioning from Early Intervention to Public School Programs

The Verbal Behavior Approach: How to Teach Children With Autism and Related Disorders

by Dr. Mary Barbera

The Verbal Behavior (VB) approach is a form of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), that is based on B.F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior and works particularly well with children with minimal or no speech abilities. In this book, Mary Lynch Barbera draws on her own experiences as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and also as a parent of a child with autism to explain VB and how to use it. This step-by-step guide provides an abundance of information about how to help children develop better language and speaking skills, and also explains how to teach non-vocal children to use sign language. An entire chapter focuses on ways to reduce problem behavior, and there is also useful information on teaching toileting and other important self-help skills, that would benefit any child. This book will enable parents and professionals unfamiliar with the principles of ABA and VB to get started immediately using the Verbal Behavior approach to teach children with autism and related disorders.

Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum: Unexpected Lessons We Have Learned

by Maureen Morrell and Ann Palmer

Maureen F. Morrell and Ann Palmer are raising two very different children: Justin, a whirlwind of activity and mood swings, who is supervised in a residential farm community, and Eric, quiet and passive, who lives independently at college. The authors give an account of the striking similarities as well as the stark differences in their experiences of parenting children at opposite extremes of the autism spectrum.

The two mothers speak openly about their children’s diagnosis and early childhood through to adolescence, young adulthood and the day they leave home. They give a moving account of the challenges they faced and the surprising consolations they found along their sons’ very different paths in life. Through their friendship and two decades of shared experiences of parenting an ASD child, each has gained a clear understanding of her own strengths and limitations, as well as those of her child.

Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum offers a personal perspective and practical guidance for parents at the start of their journey with autism, especially those whose children are newly diagnosed. It also provides useful insights for professionals working with individuals across the autism spectrum and their families.

The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

by Tony Attwood

The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" is the definitive handbook for anyone affected by Asperger's syndrome (AS). It brings together a wealth of information on all aspects of the syndrome for children through to adults.Drawing on case studies and personal accounts from Attwood's extensive clinical experience, and from his correspondence with individuals with AS, this book is both authoritative and extremely accessible. The chapters examine: causes and indications of the syndrome; the diagnosis and its effect on the individual; theory of mind; the perception of emotions in self and others; social interaction, including friendships; long-term relationships; teasing, bullying and mental health issues; the effect of AS on language and cognitive abilities, sensory sensitivity, movement and co-ordination skills; and, career development.There is also an invaluable frequently asked questions chapter and a section listing useful resources for anyone wishing to find further information on a particular aspect of AS, as well as literature and educational tools.Essential reading for families and individuals affected by AS as well as teachers, professionals and employers coming in contact with people with AS, this book should be on the bookshelf of anyone who needs to know or is interested in this complex condition

Autism Breakthrough: The Groundbreaking Method That Has Helped Families All Over the World 

by Raun K. Kaufman

As a boy, Raun Kaufman was diagnosed by multiple experts as severely autistic, with an IQ below 30, and destined to spend his life in an institution. Years later, Raun graduated with a degree in Biomedical Ethics from Brown University and has become a passionate and articulate autism expert and educator with no trace of his former condition.

So what happened?

Thanks to The Son-Rise Program, a revolutionary method created by his parents, Raun experienced a full recovery from autism. (His story was recounted in the best-selling book Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues and in the award-winning NBC television movie Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love.) In Autism Breakthrough, Raun presents the ground-breaking principles behind the program that helped him and thousands of other families with special children. Autism, he explains, is frequently misunderstood as a behavioral disorder when, in fact, it is a social relational disorder. Raun explains what it feels like to be autistic and shows how and why The Son-Rise Program works.

A step-by-step guide with clear, practical strategies that readers can apply immediately—in some cases, parents see changes in their children in as little as one day—Autism Breakthrough makes it possible for these special children to defy their original often-very-limited prognoses. Parents and educators learn how to enable their children to create meaningful, caring relationships, vastly expand their communications, and to participate successfully in the world.

An important work of hope, science, and progress, Autism Breakthrough presents the powerful ideas and practical applications that have already changed the lives of families all over the world.

The Child with Autism at Home & in the Community: Over 600 Must-Have Tips for Making Home Life and Outings Easier for Everyone

By Kathy Labosh and LaNita Miller

In this amazingly helpful guide for family members, friends, and professionals, author and mom Kathy Labosh and special-educator LaNita Miller take on the issues and obstacles that parents and educators face every day.

Hundreds of easy-to-read bullet points provide tips that readers can put into action immediately. First they cleverly tackle home life, from breakfast to bedtime, and then they take readers on a trip through the community, offering essential do's and don'ts for going to restaurants, church, the doctor's office, the grocery store, family gatherings, and more.

A Child's Recovery from Autism: Finding Success in a Maze of Therapies

by Hanna Rotbaum

Parents searching for new directions and guidance on autism will find a wealth of practical information in this moving and fascinating journey. The crucial therapies in this success story were "Relationship Development Intervention" (RDI), which enabled this child to make true friends, and "The Amy Yasko Protocol," a dietary supplement program based on the child's genetic make up. Many treatment programs are examined in this book and many helpful ideas suggested for working with an autistic child.

Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism

by Shannon Des Roches Rosa, Jennifer Byde Myers, Liz Ditz, Emily Willingham and Carol Greenburg

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism (TPGA) is the resource we wish we'd had when autism first became part of our lives: a one-stop source for carefully curated, evidence-based information from autistics, autism parents, and autism professionals.

Autism Understanding and Acceptance

by Stuart Duncan

Autism awareness has come a long way in the relatively short time since Autism was given a name back in the 1940's... starting with the belief that it was caused by 'refrigerator moms' that were uncaring or cold towards their children, we now know that Autism is actually based in neurology/genetics.

This book looks to go beyond simply being aware of autism as it's effects on people can be so very wide ranging that even those that live with Autism can not fully understand just how differently it can affect others.

Stuart Duncan, the father of two children, the oldest an autistic, helps you to understand the nature of Autism, how to recognize it and how to accept those around you that may simply be just a little bit different from yourself.

The Autism Revolution: Whole-Body Strategies for Making Life All It Can Be

by Dr. Martha Herbert with Karen Weintraub

After years of treating patients and analyzing scientific data, Harvard Medical School researcher and clinician Dr. Martha Herbert offers a revolutionary new view of autism and a transformative strategy for dealing with it. Autism, she concludes, is not a hardwired impairment programmed into a child’s genes and destined to remain fixed forever. Instead, it is the result of a cascade of events, many seemingly minor. And while other doctors may dismiss your child’s physical symptoms—the anxiety, sensory overload, sleeplessness, frequent illnesses or seizures—as coincidental or irrelevant, Dr. Herbert sees them as vital clues to what the underlying problems are, and how to help. Drawing from the newest research, technologies, and insights, as well as inspiring case studies of both children and adults, Dr. Herbert guides you toward restoring health and resiliency in your loved one with autism. Her specific recommendations aim to provide optimal nutrition, reduce toxic exposures, limit stress, and open the door to learning and creativity. As thousands of families who have cobbled together these solutions themselves already know, this program can have dramatic benefits—for your child with autism, and for you, your whole family, and perhaps your next baby as well.

Girls Growing Up On The Autism Spectrum

by Shana Nichols

Growing up isn't easy, and the trials and tribulations of being a teenager can be particularly confusing for girls with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). This book covers all the concerns commonly faced by girls with ASDs and their parents, from periods and puberty to worries over friendships and fitting in .
Taking a good look at these adolescent issues, and many more, within the context of specific areas of difficulty for girls with ASDs, the authors provide families with the knowledge and advice they need to help their daughters and the whole family through the teenage years. This book addresses core issues such as cognition, communication, behavior, sensory sensitivities, and social difficulties; it gives candid and realistic advice on a wide range of important teenage topics.
Providing professional perspectives alongside personal experiences from mothers, daughters and educators, this is a unique and comprehensive resource for families and their daughters with ASDs, as well as the teachers and professionals who work with them.

The ADHD and Autism Nutritional Supplement Handbook: The Cutting-Edge Biomedical Approach to Treating the Underlying Deficiencies and Symptoms of ADHD and Autism

by Dana Laake and Pamela Compart

More than 90 percent of children diagnosed with ADHD or autism have nutritional or metabolic inefficiencies. Find out if your child is one of those suffering from this condition today, and learn how you can drastically improve your child’s symptoms and wellbeing with The ADHD and Autism Nutritional Supplement Handbook. In this groundbreaking new book, doctor-nutritionist team Pamela Compart, M.D. and Dana Laake, R.D.H., M.S., L.D.N., authors of the bestselling Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook, reveal how to properly and safely implement supplements and dietary changes to affect and counter the symptoms of autism. Through their proven, symptom-by-symptom treatment method, you’ll learn exactly what regimens work best in helping your child's brain and body thrive, resulting in improved behavior, attention, mood, language, cognition, and social interaction.

What I Wish I’d Known About Raising a Child with Autism: A Mom and a Psychologist Offer Heartfelt Guidance for the First Five Years

by Bobbi Sheahan and Dr. Kathy DeOrnellas

Bobbi Sheahan, mother of a child with autism, and psychologist Kathy DeOrnellas, Ph.D., did not write this book to lecture you on how to parent your child. Instead, they offer themselves as your scouts in the field, who have valuable information to share—from the moment you realize your kid is different ("My, what a quiet baby I have!"), to the self-righteous moms on the playground, to holding your marriage together in the realm of routines.

They candidly tackle ASD issues such as:

• Picky Eating
• Bedtime Battles
• Potty Training
• Speech Delays
• Discipline
• Early Intervention
• Sibling Rivalry
• And much more!

Developing Leisure Time Skills for Persons with Autism: Structured Playtime Activities with Valuable Support Strategies for Adults

by Phyllis Coyne, Colleen Nyberg, and Mary Lou Vandenburg

Free time should be part of the day that all kids look forward to. But for many children on the autism spectrum, it can be a painfully unstructured part of the day that causes anxiety and fear.

This book provides comprehensive, structured strategies to help adults introduce meaningful activities to ASD children, which they can practice at school or at home. The first half of the book provides forms and charts that will help adults assess the child’s sensory needs, select age-appropriate activities, and then determine level of interest in specific activities. The second half provides numerous “Activity Cards" for going to the park, playing games, listening to music, and many more!

This detailed guide also covers:

• The components of leisure development
• Assessing leisure patterns, skills, and preferences
• Activities that require minimal supervision
• Community activities
• Ongoing assessment
• And more!

Autism: Pathways to Recovery

by Dr. Amy Yasko

The concept of this book is to explain the program in laymen's terms so that anyone can understand the "why" behind the symptoms. Understanding the science allows you to make specific choices for your child and their individualized pathway to recovery. This book encompasses revised and updated content contained in Dr. Yasko's previous book The Puzzle of Autism including information from her power point presentations and the thousands of post that she has authored from her online discussion group over the years. The goal was to create a comprehensive and easily readable work that walks you through the protocol in a more organized fashion.

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