Notbohm Ellen - 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

1001 Great Ideas

for Teaching & Raising Children with Autism or Aspergers

All marketing and publishing rights guaranteed to and reserved by:

721 W. Abram Street

Arlington, Texas 76013

800-489-0727

817-277-0727

817-277-2270 (fax)

E-mail:

www.FHautism.com

Copyright entire contents Ellen Notbohm and Veronica Zysk, 2004, 2010

Book design TLC Graphics, www.TLCGraphics.com

Cover by: Monica Thomas; Interior by: Erin Stark

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of Future Horizons, Inc., except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

The information presented in this book is educational and should not be construed as offering diagnostic, treatment, or legal advice or consultation. If professional assistance in any of these areas is needed, the services of a competent autism professional should be sough

Visit the authors websites; comments and new ideas always welcomed!

Previous edition published as: 1001 great ideas for teaching and raising children with autism spectrum disorders. Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN for E-book Version: 978-1935274-26-1

ISBN for Print Version: 978-1-935274-06-3

1. Autistic childrenPopular works. 2. AutismPopular works. 3. Aspergers syndrome in childrenPopular works. 4. Aspergers syndromePopular works. I. Zysk, Veronica. II. Title. III. Title: One thousand one great ideas for teaching and raising children with autism or Aspergers IV Title: One thousand and one great ideas for teaching & raising children with autism or Aspergers

RJ506.A9 N68 2010

618.9289

Destined to become a staple for those who love, live or work with children with autism. The authors voices are authoritative and comforting. Perhaps most importantly, they are spot on with the issues. A toolkit packed with ideas, resources, suggestions, and a good dose of encouragement, validation and yes: redemption.

JENNIFER MCCAMMON, former publisher, Portland Family Magazine

A friendly voice offering parents and teachers immediately usable ideas that emphasize the practical rather than the technical. Well organized for quick reading, with major ideas preceded by helpful introductory text. A great resource that parents and teachers should keep readily available.

CHRISTINE HUNT, MS, special education and resource teacher

1001 Great Ideas goes beyond a list of things to do with your child who has autism. The thoughtful comments about why these suggestions are purposeful and valuable as teaching tools make this a must have for families, childcare providers and special education professionals. The insights the authors share throughout the book put the activities into a real life focus for working with children on the autism spectrum.

NANCY SELLER, ED.S., Vice President Early Childhood Services, Upstate Cerebral Palsy

Great bookcouldnt put it down. So many creative ideas, and all of them detailed and easy to follow. I like reaching children through fun, so I appreciated the suggestions for games, activities and specific reading titles that we can go right to. The IEP suggestions are helpful for both parents and school staff, the authors sidenotes about their own experiences are insightful.

KARLA MAYER, MS, CCC-SLP

1001 Great Ideas is just that, a treasure trove of wonderful ideas and activities! This hope-filled book not only connects the reader to the world of Autism Spectrum Disorders but also provides a multitude of practical solutions to the broad range of challenges that parents and professional face each and every day. 1001 Great Ideas is a resource that both parents and professionals will continually turn to.

SCOTT TANNER, School Psychologist

A NY AUTHOR WHO ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE of putting forth a book of 1001 ideas (or in this edition, nearly 2000 and all of them good, of course) knows it has to be an ensemble piece. We are indebted to the community of outstanding individuals who have enhanced our lives and our book with their expertise, their can-do, will-do attitude, and their devotion to children with autism and the broader world we all share. Through this book, we are but funnels for their collective wisdom and years of effort on behalf of countless children with autism spectrum disorders.

The fingerprints of so many exceptional educators, therapists, parents and friends are all over this book. To name only a few: Greg Jones, Mary Schunk, Julianne Barker, Veda Nomura, Nola Shirley, Lucy Courtney, Diane Larson, Sharon Martine, Marcia Wirsig, Jackie Druck, Terry Clifford, Annie Westfall, Sarah Spella, Robin Jensen, Jean Motley, Arielle Bernstein, Emily Polanshek, and Lacee Jones.

We send heartfelt thanks to the many autism professionals whose work awakened in us reservoirs of ideas we didnt even know existed. Thanks go to Temple Grandin, David Freschi, Michelle Garcia Winner, Marge Blanc, Jim Ball, Linda Hodgdon, and Lindsey Biel for sharing their knowledge and expertise in ways they might not even have imagined.

Special thanks, as always, to our publisher and friend, Wayne Gilpin, and to our editorial director Kelly Gilpin. We appreciate your unfailing enthusiasm for all our projects.

To our adored parents, whether they are with us in body or in spirit, your presence is the safe haven that gives us courage to venture forth, discover the adventures that lie beyond the edge of our comfort zone, and set that example for others. Your influence is felt daily and only intensifies as time passes.

The significant others in our livesbe they husband, children or friendshave been 150% supportive of our efforts to produce all our books. There is a squirm factor in putting your own experiences and mistakes under a microscope, and theyve been there for us as cheerleaders, confidants, sounding boards, and critics. You render us speechlesswe who are word-smithsin expressing how important you are to us.

We celebrate every person with autism or Aspergers who has entered our lives, furthering our understanding and our appreciation of their courage, their unique abilities, and their individuality.

ELLEN NOTBOHM

VERONICA ZYSK

T HE FRONT COVER OF THIS BOOK PROMISES 1001 GREAT IDEAS, which is an ambitious undertaking by itself. The back cover of this second edition promises 1800. Anyone browsing autism books might question that two authors could amass this many ideas and that all of them would be great, but I must say, this book delivers. It is crammed full of helpful ideas that parents and teachers can immediately put to use to teach children with autism and Aspergers.

During my childhood years my mother and teachers utilized many of the methods discussed in this excellent book. They recognized that when it came to teaching a child with autism, creativity, patience, and understanding, as well as an inexhaustible quest for ideas and strategies that made sense