Let's Talk: Navigating Communication Services and Supports for Your Young Child with Autism

This is a book for professionals to share with families of young children (0 - 5 years) who have been or are in the process of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The authors help families 1) navigate a child's ASD diagnosis and treatment options, 2) understand the range of early intervention professionals and their respective roles, and 3) learn that communication is a critical aspect of diagnosis and intervention. Communication is often a parent’s number-one concern when a young child is diagnosed with autism. With so many interventions available, how can families be sure they’re choosing the best option for their child? Share this accessible book with parents, and give them the practical knowledge they need to evaluate communication therapies and treatments—and make sound decisions rooted in evidence-based practice. A parent-friendly resource from trusted experts on autism and communication, this book covers everything from autism fundamentals to the specifics of developing an individualized treatment plan for children birth to 5. With the research-based knowledge and real-world guidance in these pages, parents will be well-informed advocates ready to provide the best support for their children on the spectrum. Help Parents: arm themselves with essential knowledge about autism and how it’s diagnosed understand the range of social communication behaviors they might see in their child learn the how and why of developmental assessments choose evidence-based treatments and interventions that address their child’s specific communication needs support their child’s development of key skills, such as motor imitation, joint attention, play, and spontaneous communication make the most of available educational services, including IEPs and IFSPs partner effectively with SLPs, OTs, special educators, and paraprofessionals navigate the complex emotions associated with a child’s autism diagnosis

About the Author :
Rhea Paul, Ph.D., has published more than 90 journal articles, 40 book chapters, and 8 books. Her research on language development in toddlers with delayed language acquisition was funded by the National Institutes of Health. She has also held grants from the Meyer Memorial Trust, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Foundation, the Medical Research Foundation, and the National Association for Autism Research. Donia Fahim, Ph.D., MRCSLT, has worked as an international consultant for twenty years. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc. and developer of the first dual language ASD public school program in New York City. She is a certified member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, has served as Clinical Director and founding member of the Egyptian Society for Developing Skills of Special Needs Children, and has received awards from the Saudi Ministry of Health for her contributions to parent training for families of children with ASD. She has also worked as a Global Master Trainer in Early Childhood Development in Emergency for UNICEF.

Review :
"Uniquely promotes integration of Applied Behavior Analysis and SLP strategies in supporting communication by students with autism â ] The authors deserve high marks for effectively translating their speech-language research expertise into accessible language applicable to families' daily lives." --Travis Thompson, Ph.D., LP