Michael McManmon - Autism and Learning Differences: An Active Learning Teaching Toolkit

AUTISM AND LEARNING DIFFERENCES

AN ACTIVE LEARNING TEACHING TOOLKIT

Michael P. McManmon, Ed.D.

Foreword by Stephen M. Shore

Jessica Kingsley Publishers
London and Philadelphia

First published in 2016

by Jessica Kingsley Publishers

73 Collier Street

London N1 9BE, UK

and

400 Market Street, Suite 400

Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

www.jkp.com

Copyright Michael P. McManmon 2016

Foreword copyright Stephen M. Shore 2016

Cover images feature students from the College Internship Program (CIP).

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Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978 1 84905 794 3

eISBN 978 1 78450 074 0

Contents

Foreword

By Stephen M. Shore Ed.D.

Autism and Learning Differences: An Active Learning Teaching Toolkit is a natural extension of Michael McManmons first book Made for Good Purpose: What Every Parent Needs to Know to Help Their Adolescent with Aspergers, High Functioning Autism, or a Learning Difference Become an Independent Adult . This treasure chest of strategies goes into the nitty gritty of how to support individuals ages 1626 who reside on the autism spectrum or learning disabilities spectrum to lead independent, fulfilling, and productive lives.

As an individual on the autism spectrum who could have used many of the strategies outlined in this book, it is my honor to have been associated with the College Internship Program (CIP) as an advisory board member from the time when the program was but a few buildings in Lee, Massachusetts. CIP now encompasses six locations throughout the United States.

Ten years ago, when I was invited to their site to give a short talk on being on the autism spectrum, I was impressed by the dedication of all those involved as they set the stage for those with Autism and other Learning Differences to achieve success in higher education, independent living, and employment. However, what was then, and continues to be, the most striking part of CIP is the positive, active, and participatory focus on helping them understand what it means to have autism, and to employ those very characteristics to lead fulfilling and productive lives. In brief, this is the first program to successfully transition young adults from a deficit -based to an abilities -based model of autism and other conditions.

The book begins with an overview leading to the understanding of what an Autism Spectrum Disorder or Learning Difference diagnosis means to clinicians, teachers, parents, and students. Combined with methodology in active learning, the Autism and Learning Differences Toolkit builds a firm foundation for supporting individuals with these differences as they begin to recognize, and then move towards, mastery in the skills needed for life, school, work, and independent living.

Recognizing that theres more to life than school and work, the book then turns towards expanding the world of people with ASD and Learning Differences by examining how we understand ourselves as threads in the larger fabric of society leading to developing a personal code of ethics and values in a self-exploratory, rather than a prescriptive manner. This turning outwards to society is further exemplified in a curriculum focused on recognizing, addressing, and finding peaceful resolutions to differences in opinion and conflict.

The foundation of self-understanding and ones effect on others so expertly presented in this book would have made my initial employment after college much easier as I would have been able to parse out my strengths and challenges as well as to more effectively communicate with coworkers and supervisors.

The greatest ideas, teachings, and supports are only as good as their delivery. The Autism and Learning Differences Toolkit masterfully describes how the concepts in this book can be taught as dedicated units or integrated into related, pre-existing curricula.

Continuing, the question of how we know our efforts are successful is presented via an assessments chapter that supports those working with individuals having ASD and Learning Differences as well as the students themselves, which in turn results in greater self-awareness. Finally, all involved in the College Internship Program from directors to staff members, to students, to alumni share their experiences and insights gained from participation in the program.

Autism and Learning Differences: An Active Learning Teaching Toolkit joins other state of the art curricula. While this book focuses on individuals with ASD and Learning Differences , it will be helpful to all seeking to learn to employ strengths, interact with others, and become contributing members of society in pursuit of leading fulfilling and productive lives.

Chock-full of activities, ideas, examples, exercises, teaching materials, and strategies, I give this resource my highest recommendation for anyone wanting to learn more about supporting individuals on the Autism Spectrum or with other Learning Differences as they gain the skills needed to lead meaningful, fulfilling, and productive lives.

Stephen Mark Shore, Ed.D.

Internationally renowned educator,
consultant, presenter, and author on
issues related to the autism spectrum

Clinical Assistant Professor, Adelphi University

Individual on the Autism Spectrum

Authors Note

You were made for good purpose
and are inherently valuable.

Michael P. McManmon

Parents and professionals have commented about the inspiration, hope , and knowledge they have garnered from reading my first book, Made for Good Purpose: What Every Parent Needs to Know to Help Their Adolescent with Aspergers, High Functioning Autism, or a Learning Difference Become an Independent Adult. They identify with the stories and appreciate the understanding it has given them regarding an Autism Spectrum diagnosis . Made for Good Purpose went into great detail about the important variables that need to be addressed then eventually mastered by this population as they leave home and then transition to college, vocational training, careers, and independent living.

As I speak and present at professional conferences in the United States and around the world, I have been asked repeatedly to take my first book further. Specifically, Ive been asked to share the detailed fund of knowledge, expertise, and research that CIP (College Internship Program) has compiled over the past 30+ years in teaching, training, and preparing young adults on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Learning Differences (LD) Spectrum with the skills necessary to lead meaningful and productive lives.