Description
Book SynopsisThis book argues that autistic children can be successful in early learning environments when teachers and parents understand the basics of autism, and when they have the tools to help these children expand their social and emotional skills. For parents and teachers who may be unfamiliar with autism (especially in its milder, more elusive forms), Right from the Start is an indispensable resource explaining the best practices for teaching young children on the spectrum. The book offers practical strategies that any teacher can easily incorporate into her daily routinestrategies that enrich the learning environment for neurotypical children as well. Right from the Start is also a useful resource for parents who can practice many of the book's techniques at home to reinforce the development of key skills.While many educational and therapeutic approaches to autism emphasize changing children''s behavior and gaining their compliance, this book foregrounds the importance of self-regulation.
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Introduction: An Exceptional Child, An Unexceptional Story: A Parent’s Perspective on the Preschool Years Part I: Self-Regulation: The Key to Making it Through the Day Chapter 1: The Case for Self-Regulation Chapter 2: Why Do Autistic Children Have Difficulty Self-Regulating? Part II: Setting Children Up for Success Chapter 3: Adjust Learning Experiences and the Environment Chapter 4: Emphasize Structure and Consistency Chapter 5: Foster Collaboration and Emotional Awareness Part III: Social Skills Chapter 6: Autistic Children and Social Skills Challenges Chapter 7: Teaching Social Thinking Chapter 8: Teaching Conversational Skills Chapter 9: Building Social Confidence across Settings Part IV: Encouraging Imaginative Play Chapter 10: When Playtime Isn’t All That Fun Chapter 11: Teaching Play and Building Imagination Chapter 12: Facilitating Play with Peers Chapter 13: Maintaining Play and Coping with Resistance Part V: Making Sense of the Senses Chapter 14: The Eight Senses Chapter 15: Signs and Symptoms of Sensory Processing Challenges in Children Chapter 16: Dominant Classes of Sensory Processing Disorder: Profiles and Strategies Chapter 17: General Approaches to Managing Sensory Processing Disorder Conclusion: A New Lens of Understanding Appendix References About the Authors
