In Right from the Start: A Practical Guide for Helping Young Children with Autism, Karin Donahue and Kate Crassons assert that autistic children can be successful when parents and teachers understand key principles of autism and have the tools to help these children expand their social and emotional skills. Emphasizing the importance of self-regulation-the ability to moderate our feelings and reactions-the authors describe practical strategies to help children manage their emotions and behavior, learn social and play skills, and cope with challenging sensory experiences. Right from the Start is a needed and indispensable resource for parents, professionals, and educators. With these techniques, we can lay a positive foundation that enables autistic children to be confident and successful in any environment.
Karin Donahue, PhD, is associate professor of psychology at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA. She is also a behavior specialist consultant specializing in autism and has more than thirty years of clinical experience working with children and their families. Kate Crassons, PhD, is associate professor of English at Lehigh University and the director of the Lehigh University Press. After becoming the parent of an autistic child, her research and teaching have expanded to focus on topics including neurodiversity and disability studies.
Preface 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
Parents and caregivers of autistic children and teens will find this work offers sensible and realistic ideas that apply to all areas of a child's life. * Library Journal * One in 59 children has autism, and Honahue, a psychology teacher who works with families, and Crassons, whose son, Henry, is on the spectrum, want to help preschoolers and their parents live with this neurological condition . . . THe authors want to empower parents to help their kids learn "self-regulation" so they can calm themselves and avoid sensory overload. They cite many examples and provide simple solutions . . . Parents with kids on the spectrum, especially at the higher-functioning end, will find this useful and inspiring. * Booklist * 'Right From The Start' is filled with useful tips and information to make parenting a child on the spectrum a bit easier to manage. It is by no means a miracle cure (which does not exist) but it was never trying to be. The book is aware that what might work for one child might not work for another, and even has a section on how to handle meltdowns when they arise . . . If you're anyone struggling to manage or connect with a young child on the spectrum, then I highly recommend picking up 'Right From The Start.' * Bucks County Herald * Children who have autism are not born with a parent's manual to explain their unusual behaviors and abilities. However, Right from the Start provides an insight into why the child is different and how to help them regulate emotions, acquire social and play skills, and accommodate intense sensory experiences. This is the manual that parents need. -- Tony Attwood Ph.D., psychologist and author, The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome Coping with sensory issues is often a huge challenge for children with autism. This wise book, written by a parent and a behavioral specialist consultant, offers excellent sensory-motor suggestions to help children become more self-regulated and 'in sync.' -- Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A., author, "The Out-of-Sync Child" Right from the Start is an excellent resource full of specific strategies, and written with a positive perspective. Any parent, teacher, or professional looking for guidance will find this book helpful, giving them hope and specific tools for moving forward with the challenges of raising or working with an autistic child. -- Robin Holcomb, M.S., Programs Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Utah Parents of non-neurotypical children need to know they are not alone. This user-friendly book helps to meet that need. It also provides a myriad of ideas that parents and preschool teachers can use to help children regulate their emotions and behavior, develop key social skills, and manage sensory issues. The many real-life, compelling examples will stimulate parents' and teachers' own creative thinking about how to help their kids in ways consistent with current best practices. -- Susan S. Woodhouse Ph.D., Psychologist This book is an intimate look of the real life challenges for families of young children with autism. It's filled with very practical strategies on how to manage their behaviors. A must read for parents, teachers, and caregivers of children who struggle with emotional self-regulation! -- Mary E. Bove M.D, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, CHOP Care Network Delaware County
