When the book blurb reads, “This is the book that parents, professionals and educators of children with Autism have always wanted!” the book has a great deal to live up to and guess what, this one really does live up to the hype. I am an educator who has taught Autistic children in the regular classroom and I am a parent of a recently diagnosed child with Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome (February 2014), and I can tell you based on my research and reading on the topic this book is one of the best I have read on the subject to date. I say this after just having finished Tony Attwood’s The Complete Guide to Autism. Please keep in mind that Mr. Attwood is considered one of the leading Autism gurus or experts, if you will. What book am I referencing? Answer: Autism Breakthrough: The Groundbreaking Method That Has Helped Families All Over The World by Raun K. Kaufman.
Let me start by saying that Raun K. Kaufman confesses to having experienced a full recovery from Autism and let me add that this proclamation is somewhat controversial, but considering that it wasn't until 1980 that Autism was even on the research radar whose to say that it can’t be cured. I suggest laying aside the controversy that surrounds Kaufman’s Son Rise Program/ Option Institute and focus instead on the useful information that is to be discerned inside Autism Breakthrough. Information that parents, professionals and educators of children with Autism can use to help a child who suffers from Autism. This book is a tool for adults who chose to look at an Autistic child and, “...see possibilities not deficiencies,” and for those who want to create a truly safe environment where their child can grow and reach his or her full potential.
Again as an educator and parent, I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to understand and help those who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the Advance Reader’s Copy of Autism Breakthrough: The Groundbreaking Method That Has Helped Families All Over The World by Raun K. Kaufman.
Update:
I implemented the strategy of "Joining" with my son and I can say it works. He is not talking and he is about to turn four on August 2, but when I joined in with his STIM behavior we were counting out-loud to twelve in a matter of minutes. His stacking STIM behavior was a way for him to count INTERNALLY and when I joined him and started counting the spice containers from the spice shelf OUT-LOUD he gave me a big smile and joined in OUT-LOUD. He didn't just do this once he counted repeatedly and added more jars to our lineup as we continued to count together. We did this for about five minutes TOGETHER. I know that doesn't sound like much to most parents of an average four year-old, but this is a tremendous breakthrough for my son who we knew had a lot going on in his own internal world. I also need to add that prior to reading this book when he would get into the spice cabinet we would repeatedly correct him only to have him return to the cabinet and repeat his stim behavior.
Additional Links:
NPR: Send in the Idiots: Stories from the Other Side of Autism by Nazeer, Kamran
NPR: Researchers Set Sights on Early Autism Diagnosis
NPR: Commentary: Autism and Vaccination
NPR: Dr. Fred Volkmar on Asperger's Syndrome
NPR: Commentary: Autism and Vaccination
NPR: Dr. Fred Volkmar on Asperger's Syndrome
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