Books

This book provides practical, hands-on strategies for teaching social skills to children with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. For use in both general education and special education classrooms, each chapter includes a detailed description of the social deficits of these children and ways to address them. Such issues include difficulties with understanding idioms, taking turns in conversation, understanding tone of voice, and body language.

Author Robert J. Berstein has found a different approach based on cognition―thinking―in helping people of all ages with ASD. Author’s goal is for people with ASD to be able to live in the world and connect with the people in it as themselves, to express their unique humanity and engage more fully in the human interactions that give life meaning and make it worth the effort of getting out of bed every day. Author believes that whatever he does therapeutically must be on the autistic person’s terms; he or she must lead. Author’s therapy examples are categorized by age groups of: 2-5 years of age, 6-10 years of age, 11-14 years of age and 19 years of age and up.

The purpose of this guide is to help educators (teachers and administrators) become acquainted with identifying and meeting the needs of the student with Asperger's Syndrome. Public school, while often difficult for typical students, can be a nightmare for those students with Asperger's Syndrome. Without information and training in this disability, teachers face confusion and frustration regarding the unusual behaviors and lack of social skills. Without training, students with Asperger's Syndrome are misidentified and often blamed for behaviors that are a direct result of their disability. It is hoped that this guide will lead teachers to a better understanding of Asperger's Syndrome and help the students with AS have a richer, more enjoyable educational experience.

It’s Good to Be Different Time to Thrive is a workbook for parents and caregivers of autistic children…especially those recently diagnosed. The purpose of the book is to help reflect and explore. The approach is one of curiosity, openness, and a willingness to fully acknowledge and accept our children, and maybe ourselves, too! Coming from a place of curiosity, openness and acceptance, you’ll find out how to best support your children. The goal of Time to Thrive is not to change your child. It’s to help you and your child learn to recognize their joys, strengths, and challenges. Each chapter offers information, as well as reflective exercises to apply to your specific situation. It is a counter-narrative to the typical pessimism offered to families of newly diagnosed children. They are not broken or deficient. They are fascinating and different. We cannot change the way our neurodivergent children’s brains experience the world. Nor would we want to! What we can do is create the most supportive environment possible, teach our children to recognize and advocate for their needs, and help them learn to thrive.