Autism

From The Critics

Reviewer: Louise Thibodaux, MA, OTR/L,FAOTA(University of Alabama)
Description: This is a comprehensive synthesis of research on autism relevant to the sensorimotor treatment of children and adults. This is the first time such a synthesis has been made available to psychologists, occupational therapists, educators, and others who coordinate interventions for this population.
Purpose: The literature on autism is extensive and varied. The purpose of this book is to bring together in a single source current literature of interest to professionals working with clients and their families. Building on a synthesis of existing resources, the author explores a theoretical framework for treatment. Both the research on autism and the framework for treatment are covered in detail.
Audience: This book is appropriate for experienced practitioners whose background is in psychosocial development and sensorimotor behavior. The work is of particular interest to psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and special educators. Well-known experts from these fields have contributed to the book. Study questions at the end of each chapter make it useful as a text in upper level college courses.
Features: The book is well-organized and well-referenced. The author does not presuppose familiarity with the underlying constructs of treatment. Chapters are grouped into five sections. In Section 1 contributors describe autism as a pervasive disorder of sensory processing. In Section 2 the foundations of a sensorimotor treatment approach are presented. The concepts of evaluation and treatment are explored in Section 3. In Section 4 contributors introduce techniques and technologies to improve function, and in Section 5 there are four chapters written from the personal perspective.
Assessment: This original book extends the work of Fisher and Bundy (1991) and Dunn (1997) by providing both synthesis and application of research to this complex and fascinating developmental disorder. The author is fair-handed in offering the latest research while at the same time acknowledging that a single "cure" for autism has yet to be found.

Louise Thibodaux

This is a comprehensive synthesis of research on autism relevant to the sensorimotor treatment of children and adults. This is the first time such a synthesis has been made available to psychologists, occupational therapists, educators, and others who coordinate interventions for this population. The literature on autism is extensive and varied. The purpose of this book is to bring together in a single source current literature of interest to professionals working with clients and their families. Building on a synthesis of existing resources, the author explores a theoretical framework for treatment. Both the research on autism and the framework for treatment are covered in detail. This book is appropriate for experienced practitioners whose background is in psychosocial development and sensorimotor behavior. The work is of particular interest to psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and special educators. Well-known experts from these fields have contributed to the book. Study questions at the end of each chapter make it useful as a text in upper level college courses. The book is well-organized and well-referenced. The author does not presuppose familiarity with the underlying constructs of treatment. Chapters are grouped into five sections. In Section 1 contributors describe autism as a pervasive disorder of sensory processing. In Section 2 the foundations of a sensorimotor treatment approach are presented. The concepts of evaluation and treatment are explored in Section 3. In Section 4 contributors introduce techniques and technologies to improve function, and in Section 5 there are four chapters written from the personal perspective. This originalbook extends the work of Fisher and Bundy (1991) and Dunn (1997) by providing both synthesis and application of research to this complex and fascinating developmental disorder. The author is fair-handed in offering the latest research while at the same time acknowledging that a single "cure" for autism has yet to be found.

Booknews

Compiles theoretical and empirical literature on the sensory and motor deficits of autism along with treatment applications of the sensorimotor approach. Emphasis is placed on considering sensorimotor differences as part of a comprehensive management plan that includes communication, social, cognitive, and behavioral strategies. Reviews the literature on the incidence and management of sensory and motor dysfunction in autism, gives ideas for assessment and intervention using the sensorimotor approach, and explains contributions from neuropsychology, sensory processing, and attachment theory. Huebner teaches occupational therapy at Eastern Kentucky University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

4 Stars! from Doody