Recommended Resources
Speechmark have a fascinating catalogue of resource material that is particularly valuable with regard to the pragmatic areas of language and social skills. There are also resources on emotion management, especially the manual Draw on your Emotions. The web address is www.speechmark.net.
Another source of books is the Autism–Asperger publishing company and their web address is www.asperger.net
Resources at Hand (LINK) is a Brisbane based specialty company which has a large selection of Autism and Asperger books, games, DVDs and puppets. The company is run by Lorraine who has 10 years experience in the Autism/Asperger resources field. They offer Australia wide postage and international postage upon request - www.resourcesathand.com.au
When Asperger's Syndrome was first identified in the 1940's, Hans Asperger noted that these kids often have an associated "overall motor clumsiness" that can result in Dysgraphia (dys=difficulty and graphia=writing) which can make handwriting extremely challenging. This can be especially frustrating for kids with Asperger's (and many kids with other forms of ASD) as they're often very intelligent - but become very discouraged (and sometimes behaviorally challenged) when they are unable to tell us everything they know with paper and pencil in a way that is similar to that of their peers. Handwriting Problem Solutions, LLC is an on-line company established in 2005 by two US Special Educators with over 10 years experience helping kids with Written Output Disorders, including many kids with ASD. Their specialty is teaching students how to complete their schoolwork using Low and High-Tech equipment and software, then helping to implement these supports in the classroom. This allows them to complete finished written products as similar to those of their peers as possible. Please visit their website at www.handwriting-solutions.com for more information about Dysgraphia and to purchase the Resource Guide, "Handwriting Solutions - Equipment, Teaching Strategies & Educational Resource Recommendations for Kids with Written Output Disorders." World-wide Consultation Service (English-speaking) also available.
Improve Your Skills
My name is Daniel, and I'm the creator of Improveyoursocialskills.comImprove Your Social Skills is a comprehensive online guide to social skills. It has over 50 lessons covering social skills topics like conversation, body language, and making friends. It's written to be easy for people with Asperger's to understand and apply.
As an Aspie myself, I made Improve Your Social Skills to be a resource for other people with Asperger's. When I was diagnosed at 13 (ten years ago), I dedicated myself to studying social skills. My study has paid off big-time, and I made Improve Your Social Skills want to take what I've learned and share it with others.
Toilet Training for Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
Toilet training for children with autism or intellectual disabilities has been published as a book to be downloaded instead of as a paper book. This makes it easier to access for many people who have difficulty gaining access to regular books. A downloaded book is easier to manage when it is being used as an instruction manual for toilet training training programs. You can have it on a DVD, in a file on your computer or an ebook reader. You can also easily print the pages you need. I have specifically given you permission to print any parts that you need. The book is also cheaper as a download rather than as a printed and bound paper book.
However, you cannot pick the book up and browse through its pages until you have downloaded it. Therefore, I have put together a short publication containing the cover, full list of contents, the foreword and introduction. The table of contents is very full and covers even the shortest of topics, including parents' questions over the years and examples of children's difficulties and responses to training.
Get the e-book from Sue Bettison's website http://www.learn2do.net/
Meeting the Needs of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Rita Jordan and Glenys Jones ; David Fulton Publishing, London (1999) ISBN 1 85346 582 8.
As I read the new book by Rita Jordan and Glenys Jones from Birmingham in the UK, I almost used a whole marker pen to high-light paragraph after paragraph of wisdom and practical strategies for children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.
I recommend this new soft cover book for teachers and parents, not just for the ideas and explanations but also for covering topics such as the management of teacher stress and helping the child become more flexible.
Secret Agent Society Practitioner Training Course
Practitioner training for the Secret Agent Society (SAS) social skills program for children with Asperger’s Disorder will be held for the first time in North America in Toronto (October 17-18) and Los Angeles (November 3-4). SAS is a 12-session multimedia social skills intervention that is supported by internationally acclaimed research. The program includes an award-winning four-level animated computer game, small group child therapy sessions, parent training sessions and teacher handouts. SAS teaches children how to recognize emotions in themselves and others, express their feelings in appropriate ways, talk and play with others, cope with change and prevent and manage bullying.
For more information on Secret Agent Society contact details are:
Web: www.sst-institute.net
mail:
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Phone: +61 7 3236 1212
Fax: +61 7 3878 5510
Postal Address: Social Skills Training Institute, PO Box 1300 Milton QLD 4064, Australia
A Mind of One's Own: A guide to the special difficulties and needs of the more able person with autism or Asperger Syndrome
The third edition of the seminal book by Digby Tantam and Sue Prestwook, published in 1999 by The National Autistic Society in London.
This may be a small booklet but the information is invaluable and now includes aspects such as marriage, getting older and siblings as well as new experience from counselling people with Asperger's Syndrome with emotional disorders. The web address of the National Autistic Society is www.nas.org.uk