Spectrum of Solutions for Clients with Autism

Rachel Bédard, PhD, is in private practice in Fort Collins, CO. A long-standing advocate for those with autism, she primarily works with clients on the spectrum and has previously published two books about autism.Lorna Hecker, PhD, is in private practice in Fort Collins, CO. She is a professor emerita of Purdue University NW and has published numerous books and articles on mental health-related topics and enjoys working with neurodiverse couples.

• Section 1 Individually Focused Treatment: 1. Working with Individuals on the Spectrum. 2. Challenging and Rewarding: Individual Psychotherapy for Adults and Adolescents with Autism 3. Social Skills Treatment for Adolescents and Adults on the Autism Spectrum Section 2 Marriage and Family Life: 4. Taking the Time to Listen: Oliver’s Story 5. The Transformative Power Of The Autism Spectrum Narrative 6. Neurologically-Mixed Marriages and the Audacity of Social ComplianceSection 3 Acknowledging and Including Siblings: 7. Siblings: Unique Concerns, Unique Opportunities 8. The Spectrum of Siblings’ Experiences 9. Addressing the Needs of Siblings in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Section 4 Enhancing Interpersonal Communication with Speech Language Pathology: 10. Improving Quality of Life with Communication Coaching: Redefining Speech and Language Therapy 11. Everybody Communicates!12. My Client Has No Friends: Knowing When Your Client Needs a Good Speech Language PathologistSection 5 Addressing Executive Functioning and Sensory Needs: 13. Executive Functioning Needs. 14. Achieving Health, Well-being, and Participation through Engagement in Occupation. 15. An Occupational Therapist Does What Exactly?Section 6 Navigating Education Holistically: 16. Fall in Love with the Social World 17. Lessons from the Admissions Office 18. Being Prepared and Aware: Helping Individuals with Autism with Post-Secondary Education GoalsSection 7 Preparing for the World of Work: 19. Job Preparation and How to Help People on the Spectrum Have Successful Employment 20. Working Together: Empowering the Autistic Voice 21. Autism Spectrum Job Readiness Challenges and Possibilities Section 8 Addressing Nutrition and Eating Concerns: 22. Why so Picky? Food Selectivity and How It Impacts Eating 23. Feeding and Nutrition in Individuals Diagnosed with Autism 24. Occupational Therapy in the Treatment of Selective EatingSection 9 Finding Solutions for Sleep Concerns: 25. Sleep Challenges for People with Autism 26. Approaching Sleep Problems in Adolescents with Autism 27. Catching Some ZZZs: Helping Individuals Sleep Better Section 10 Acknowledging and Addressing Medical Concerns: 28. The Role of Medication for Children on the Spectrum, from the Perspective of a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist 29. Common Comorbid Conditions with Autism 30. Autism Spectrum from the Inside OutSection 11 Encouraging Health and Wellbeing: 31. I Got Fired from My Primary Care Physician 32. Why Good Hygiene and Grooming? 33. Mentoring Successful Living in a Social-Energetic WorldSection 12 Using Strengths to Drive Skill Growth: 34. Combining Strength-Based Therapy with Behavior Analytic Approaches to Treatment 35. Motivation, Interests and Activation 36. There Are Other Operating Systems Besides Windows: Finding Strengths in Neurodiversity.Section 13 Animal Assisted Interventions: 37. To the Rescue: How Animals Can Assist People Diagnosed with Autism 38. Dogs, and Horses, and Cats, Oh My! Animal-Assisted Interventions for People with Autism 39. Animal Assisted Play Therapy Section 14 Legal and Financial Planning: 40. Options for Adulthood: How to Support Decision-Making and Independence for People with Autism 41. Planning for the Financial Future of Individuals with Autism 42. Financial Planning for Families with Children with AutismSection 15 Moving Towards Adulthood: An Important Developmental Step: 43. Launching into Adulthood: Transitioning with the Youth at the Center 44. Countdowns, Mis-launches, and Birds in Flight 45. The Launching

Endorsement #1:Our understanding of the autistic experience is evolving at breakneck speed, yielding more effective and respectful approaches for supporting autistic individuals. Two great instigators of this acceleration are represented in full force in this important volume: our long overdue acceptance that all autistic children due indeed grow up to be autistic adults, and the emphatic voices of autistic individuals sharing their stories. In Diverse Interventions, Rachel and Lorna are to be congratulated for providing a platform for autistic and neurotypical experts to discuss some of the most crucial topics related to quality of life issues for autistic teens and adults. It is both the depth and breadth of this volume that makes it an essential contribution for service providers, families and autistic individuals.Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, adjunct professor Brown University and author of Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism, and The SCERTS Model.Endorsement #2: The book is a triumph! Highly knowledgeable and experienced editors selected fifteen important topics for autistic adolescents and adults, from sleep and siblings to employment and relationships. Expert autistic and neurotypical clinicians, academics, and authors generously impart their hard won and sophisticated understanding of autism and how to help. I can highly recommend this book to any professionals working with teens and adults with autism, to their families, and to the adults themselves.Michelle Garnett, MPsych(Clin), PhD, MAPS, FCCP, Clinical Psychologist, Minds & Hearts, A Private Clinic for Autism Spectrum Conditions.Endorsement #3:Diverse Interventions for Adolescent and Adult Clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder is about changing perspectives - not people. Assembling a buffet of well-known voices and names yet unfamiliar, Rachel and Lorna deliver a scrumptious blend of academic prowess and keepin'-it-real readability. Diverse and divergent as real community should be, this compilation is both celebration and invitation for all of us on the human spectrum - to be different...together."Jennifer Cook O'Toole, international speaker, self-advocate, author of the bestselling "Asperkids" series and award-winning memoir, "Autism in Heels."