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Expert author Elizabeth Ives Field combines over four decades of working in the autism field to provide functional, in-depth teaching strategies for children on the spectrum who struggle with communication. Incorporating descriptions of composite children at different developmental stages, this book sets out individual goals and therapy approaches for children who may have no speech, moderately functional speech or echolalia, as well as for highly verbal individuals who may not always use appropriate language.
Covering a wide range of interventions that address communication and the related areas of independence and social behaviour, the purpose of each goal is to make progress toward the child's maximum potential. This book sets out skills that are developmentally appropriate and that will be immediately useful to help children express themselves more effectively and build relationships with others.
"It was a pleasure to read Elizabeth's book 'Building Communication and Independence for Children Across the Autism Spectrum'. It is clear that her knowledge of the difficulties that children with autism encounter is vast and she is confident in sharing it pragmatically and methodically with parents/carers and professionals. Elizabeth not only outlines areas of need, she provides the reader with practical and achievable goals in precise detail. I could relate to all of the children whom she used in her case studies and I found myself mentally applying her goals to those on my own past and present caseload. This book is functional and easy to read which has been written with passion and purpose to make a constructive difference to the lives of so many children with autism. "
- Jacqui Rochester, Autism Practitioner BPhil SpEd Autism (Children)
"All too often, books meant to offer strategies to support autistic children's complex communication and behavior challenges end up too banal or too academic. This book stands above the crowd because it reads a bit like a conversation between two people sharing tea and the best thoughts about how to effectually support a child with a plethora of individual needs and abilities. Simply put, this book is the real deal! "
- Liane Holliday Willey, EdD. Author of Pretending to be Normal and Safety Skills for Asperger Women
" In this book, Field generously shares a lifetime of clinical wisdom. Through well-crafted and highly readable case studies, she guides readers through a wide-ranging set of authentic situations they are sure to encounter in the service of individuals all along the autism spectrum. Field delivers a rich, hybrid blend of intervention procedures that are clearly explained, firmly rooted in evidence, and exquisitely practical."
- Dr Lillian Stiegler, professor of communication sciences and disorders
