Early Learning Project
November 2008Helping Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Early Care and Education Settings Barbara T. Doyle (M.S.)
Online Resources
- Illinois Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project (IATTAP)
IATTAP, an initiative of the Illinois State Board of Education, focuses on the education and support of children with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
http://autism.pbisillinois.org - Evidence-Based Practices
This IATTAP fact sheet discusses evidence-based practices for use with children with autism spectrum disorders.
http://autism.pbisillinois.org/iattap_ebp.pdf - Social Stories
This IATTAP resource describes the use of social stories in working with children with autism spectrum disorders.
http://autism.pbisillinois.org/iattap_Social_Story_Fact_Sheet__2__1_.pdf - Autism Spectrum Institute at Illinois State University
This Web site contains links to a number of autism-related resources including a lending library, fact sheets, and Web links.
http://autismspectrum.illinoisstate.edu - Ten Guiding Principles when Programming for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders
This article lists 10 principles to use when developing an effective program for children with autism spectrum disorders.
http://autismspectrum.illinoisstate.edu/resources/programmingprinciples.shtml - Educational Programming
This Web page links to articles written by staff members of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) on many education issues.
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=353 - Making the Most of Morning Meeting
This IRCA article discusses how to include children with autism spectrum disorders in circle time.
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=405 - Critical Features of Early Intervention: Merging Best Practices
This IRCA article outlines critical features of early intervention for children with autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and other pervasive developmental disorders.
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=442 - The Challenge of Combining Competing Input in the Classroom
This IRCA article discusses accommodations that help children with autism spectrum disorders succeed in the classroom.
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=446 - Educating Children with Autism
This online book, by the Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism, includes chapters on challenging behaviors and instructional strategies.
http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309072697 - "Group" Ideas for Preschool and Primary Classrooms Including Students with Autism: Structuring for Success
This article from Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) describes how to structure group activities.
http://teacch.com/educational-approaches/structuring-for-success-inclusion-ideas-catherine-faherty - About Autism
This resource describes symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, prevalence, treatment, and additional resources.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ - A Parent’s Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder
This detailed booklet from the National Institute of Mental Health describes autism symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/a-parents-guide-to-autism-spectrum-disorder/index.shtml - Effective Communication (Autism/PDD Resources Network)
This site contains tips for parents to help them interact effectively with the education professionals who work with their child.
http://www.autism-pdd.net/Teachers.html - Autism
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) Web site includes tips for teachers who have children with autism spectrum disorders in their classrooms.
http://nichcy.org/disability/specific/autism - Autism Behavioral Checklist
The author of this Web site advises parents who detect the listed behavioral signs in their child to discuss their concerns with the child's pediatrician and ask for a referral to have the child screened.
http://www.divinecaroline.com/24169/24008 - Autism Screening Tools
This site includes links to a checklist for toddlers as well as to screening tools for older children.
http://www.firstsigns.org/screening/tools/rec.htm#asd_screens - Parenting Information Handouts: Children’s Development: Three to Four Years
http://www.parenting-ed.org/handouts/development%20-%20three%20to%20four%20years.pdf
Illinois Early Learning Resources
- Handling Challenging Behaviors in Child Care and at Home: Autism
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/chat/beytien/index.htm - Where Can Parents Find Help for Young Children with Special Needs?
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/faqs/special-needs.htm - Understanding and Accepting Differences: Why Can't Maria Walk?
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/accept-disabilities.htm - Inclusion in Preschool Classrooms
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/inclusion.htm - Games for All Young Children
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/games.htm
Additional Resources
- What Facilitates Social Engagement in Preschool Children with Autism?
Author(s): Wimpory, Dawn C.; Hobson, R. Peter; Nash, Susan
Source: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v37 n3 p564-573 Mar 2007
Pub Date: 2007
This article discusses factors that contribute to the social engagement of preschool children with autism. It points out that adult musical/motoric activity, communications that followed the child's focus of attention, scaffolding through social routines, imitations of the child, and adult repetitions were significantly more prevalent before episodes of social engagement. Cognitive assessment activities, adult inactivity, and "ignoring" were significantly less prevalent. - Peer-Mediated Social Communication Intervention: When Clinical Expertise Informs Treatment Development and Evaluation
Author(s): Goldstein, Howard; Schneider, Naomi; Thiemann, Kathy
Source: Topics in Language Disorders, v27 n2 p182 Apr-Jun 2007
Pub Date: 2007
This article provides an overview of three approaches to peer-mediated intervention that have been effective in improving the social and communicative interactions among young children with autism and other developmental disabilities and their classmates without disabilities. - Transitions for Young Children with Autism from Preschool to Kindergarten
Author(s): Forest, Emily J.; Horner, Robert H.; Lewis-Palmer, Teri; Todd, Anne W.
Source: Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, v6 n2 p103-112 2004
Pub Date: 2004
This report provides an index of transition elements that may be useful to guide future research and to facilitate effective transitions. - Classroom Staff Training Self-Study Packet. LEAP Outreach Project
Availability: LEAP Outreach Project, The Center for Collaborative Educational Leadership, University of Colorado at Denver, 1444 Wazee St., Suite 230, Denver, CO 80202-1326.
Pub Date: 1998
This self-study training manual for teachers of young children with autism contains nine modules on behavior modification techniques. - Facilitating Desired Behavior in the Preschool Child with Autism: A Case Study
Author(s:) Ford, Laurie; And Others
Source: Contemporary Education, v65 n3 p148-51 Apr 1994
The best way to manage discipline problems in preschoolers with autism is to prevent the problems from occurring in the first place. The article examines the diagnosis, incidence, and prevalence of autism; suggests how to facilitate desired behavior; and describes a case study of a preschool child with autism.
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Illinois State Board of Education
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