Theories and clinical tools designed to help parents guide the development of children with autism, Asperger's and similar disabilities.

A comprehensive set of activities for children ages two through eight that have Asperger, autism, and other disorders that impact emotional and social development designed to teach them basic social and emotional skills.

My Baby Can Dance is for anyone who needs a reminder about what makes social interaction so wonderful and why sometimes, the simplest forms of communication can lead to the most wonderful encounters.For parents of children affected by autism, it is hard to identify exactly when their child slipped away. For one mother it was after planting flowers, for another it was one night in his sleep, for many more it was already too late to say goodbye. The stories in this book are of families that are all very different, and yet, their struggles are strikingly similar. They have made mistakes, they have cried and laughed and prayed. And, in the end they have done it all for the love of a child. Along with the remarkable stories of RDI? families is a message of hope that in their own time and in their own way these children will find their way back home. Eleven stories of families that live autism day by day using the Relationship Development Intervention? Program. Introduction by Dr. Steven E. Gutstein.

She was a beautiful doelike child, with an intense, graceful fragility. In her first year, she picked up words, smiled and laughed, and learned to walk. But then Anne-Marie began to turn inward. And when her little girl lost some of the words she had acquired, cried inconsolably, and showed no interest in anyone around her, Catherine Maurice took her to doctors who gave her a devastating diagnosis: autism. In their desperate struggle to save their daughter, the Maurices plunged into a medical nightmare of false hopes, "miracle cures," and infuriating suggestions that Anne-Marie's autism was somehow their fault. Finally, Anne-Marie was saved by an intensive behavioral therapy. Let Me Hear Your Voice is a mother's illuminating account of how one family triumphed over autism. It is an absolutely unforgettable book, as beautifully written as it is informative. "A vivid and uplifting story . . . Offers new strength to parents who refuse to give up on their autistic children." -- Kirkus Reviews "Outstanding . . . Heartfelt . . . A lifeline to families in similar circumstances." -- Library Journal

Normal isn't anything more than a setting on the washing machine.... When Sophie was born, she was a beautiful, happy, normal baby girl. There was nothing different about her at all. In fact, the pediatrician mentioned how social she was. However, between Sophie's first and second birthdays, things began to change. Her language stopped developing; she was hardly speaking at all. She didn't seem to notice when someone entered a room. She no longer wanted to play with her friends. Something was different about Sophie, but no one could tell us exactly what it was. Though she seemed to have symptoms of autism, there were no conclusive answers. Could it be sensory integration disorder? Perhaps selective mutism? This is Sophie's story; the story of how a little girl overcame her inability to speak and understand language. It is the true story of my very own precious, amazing daughter and how living with autism has effected each of us. It is compromised mainly of my own blog posts, written as the story unfolded, with details and updates woven in. You will walk along with us and feel our heartache through the pitfalls and rejoice with us through the triumphs. Sophie's story is a beacon of light for other families traversing a similar path. Regardless of where your family might be along this journey, Sophie will inspire you to keep reaching for the light.

"One day Jack asked me, 'What color do you see for Monday?' 'What?' I said distractedly. 'Do you see days as colors?" Raising five children would be challenge enough for most parents, but when one of them has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, life becomes a bit more chaotic, a lot more emotional, and full of fascinating glimpses into a unique child's different way of thinking. In this moving memoir, Carrie Cariello invites us to take a peek into exactly what it takes to get through each day juggling the needs of her whole family. Through hilarious mishaps, honest insights, and heartfelt letters addressed to her children, she shows us the beauty and wonder of raising a child who views the world through a different lens, and how ultimately autism changed her family for the better.

Autism has been identified as the fastest growing, serious developmental disability in the United States, where nearly 2 million people are affected. One of the most frustrating aspects of autism and similar disorders is that affected children affected do not interact with others and often seem unaware of the people and the environment around them. Therapist Densmore takes us with her as she works in a remarkable program she has developed to lead such children into the social world. Allowing readers to look over her shoulder during sessions, Densmore explains Narrative Play, her approach to inspiring social contact. The work includes interviews with parents of children with autism and will be of wide interest to professionals, teachers, parents, and family members who can use the approach to help a child move into the social world. The book, and the theory it promulgates, will also interest students of psychology, special education, pediatrics, neurology, and speech. Autism has now reached epidemic proportions. It has been identified as the fastest growing, serious developmental disability in the United States, where nearly 2 million people are affected. For parents, therapists, and teachers, one of the most frustrating aspects of autism and similar disorders is that children affected are not social. They do not interact with others—even parents and siblings—and often seem unaware of the people and environment around them. In this work, therapist Ann E. Densmore takes us with her as she works with children with autism in a remarkable program she has developed to lead such children into the social world. They travel to farms, ponds, playgrounds, and other natural settings where they interact with peers and siblings, and with the novel therapist whose play therapy has brought remarkable results for many children. Using a conversational style that allows readers to look over her shoulder during sessions, Densmore explains her approach to inspiring social contact, Narrative Play. A child moves through four stages in this approach, finally combining language, play and narrative skills to interact with others. The work includes interviews with parents of children with autism, and will be of wide interest to professionals, teachers, parents, and family members who can use this approach to help a child move into the social world. This work, and the theory it promulgates will also interest students of psychology, special education, pediatrics, neurology, and speech.