Departments

From the Editor’s Desk

By Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Straight Talk About Autism

Respect Begins with Language— Part two of a two-part article

By Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Synopsis:

Dr. Prizant makes a compelling case for how the language we use to describe behavior in autism impacts our perceptions and even our actions.

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Life Construction Ahead

Back to School Prep: Helping Teachers Tune into Your Child's Self-Regulation

By Teresa Bolick, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Synopsis:

The perfect article for the start of a new school year (or job)! Dr. Bolick explains the types of events that can lead to behavioral dysregulation and describes ways to effectively deal with them.

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Review

A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger Syndrome in School

By Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Synopsis:

Read excerpts from the Foreword by Dr. Diane Twachtman-Cullen on this ground-breaking book.

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You too?! Common Stories from an Uncommon Parent

Eat, Drink, And Be Picky

By Alyson Beytien, M.S.

Synopsis:

If you've ever felt guilty about your child's unusual eating habits, or were told, wait it out because no child will go hungry, this is THE article for you.

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Celebrations of Excellence and Originality

An Interview with Cheryl Vasquez-Cheatham

By Liane Holliday Willey, Ed.D.

Synopsis:

Dr. Liane Holliday Willey gives readers a fascinating glimpse into the life of Cheryl Vasquez-Cheatham, whose current projects include a full-length novel and a documentary film. To read the entire interview Subscribe »

Tips for Translating Research into Practice

Fighting the "Homework Wars"

By Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, M.S., CCC-SLP

Synopsis:

Reinforcements have arrived! Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett has some great (and timely) tips for ways to provide homework supports that can incentivize your child and de-stress the home environment. To read this entire column Subscribe »

 

 

The Cutting Edge

Commentary on DSM-V Recommended Changes: The Diagnostic Wars

By Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Synopsis:

Dr. Diane Twachtman-Cullen provides a brief summary of the opinions of Drs. Tony Attwood, Barry Prizant, and Liane Holliday Willey, and Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, expressed in the summer issue of ASQ. She also weighs in on the controversial recommendation to abandon the diagnostic label, Asperger's Disorder, from DSM-V, and suggests a more reasonable "modest proposal."

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Research Briefs

Synopsis:

This issue features abstracts from the International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR) held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 19, 2010. They cover the relationship between emotional information and body movement; the interaction between gaze direction and facial expression; and the affective responses of mothers. To read this entire column Subscribe »

The World According to Teddy Bears

Weight Loss

By Brendan Keeley

Synopsis:

 An original cartoon designed especially for ASQ by Brendan Keeley, a young UK cartoonist and illustrator with Asperger’s syndrome. To view the cartoon Subscribe »

Research Newsdesk

Synopsis:

You'll read about behavioral intervention that effectively controls tics in many children with Tourette Syndrome, and new genetic discoveries from the second phase of the Autism Genome Project, the results of which were published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature on June 9, 2010. To read this entire column  Subscribe »

Call for Research Subjects

Synopsis:

ASQ welcomes researchers to post information concerning their requirements for participation in their research studies. Recruitment announcements are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and are posted, at no charge, as a service to the research community. To read this entire column  Subscribe »

Article Sample

Using Exercise and Sports to Improve Social and Cognitive Skills in Children with Autism

Four years ago, Jason McElwain, a teenager with autism, became an overnight sensation by scoring 20 points in four minutes of action in a high school basketball game. . . . Regardless of whether children with autism are high functioning like McElwain, or are less advanced cognitively, playing sports can have profound effects on several aspects of their lives. For example, sports can help kids with autism gain confidence, improve social skills, and develop better coordination. Improvements in balance and motor planning skills often go hand in hand with progress in cognitive function, academic achievement, and organizational skills. To read more  Subscribe »

Feature Articles

A Unique Approach to the Development of Reading Skills

By Arnold Miller, Ph.D., Carol Hilliard, M.A.

When phonics and whole-word approaches to reading don't work, it's Symbol Accentuation to the rescue! This article describes how to teach basic early literacy in way that is both meaningful and fun for the child.

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A Multi-Step Screening Strategy for Identifying Children with Autism Spectrum Conditions in the School Setting

By Lee A. Wilkinson, Ph.D., NCSP

Experienced psychologist and author, Dr. Lee A. Wilkinson, describes three first-level screening tools for identifying the presence of more broadly-defined and subtle symptoms associated with higher-functioning ASD.

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Episodic Memory, Experience-Sharing, and Children with ASD

By Linda K. Murphy, M.S., CCC-SLP

Readers will not only understand the critical role that episodic memory plays in making sense of the world, but also how to develop and use it to help children with autism share experiences with others.

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Using Exercise and Sports to Improve Social and Cognitive Skills in Children with Autism

By Mike Frandsen, M.B.A.

Add 10 years of experience with sports for children with disabilities to five years of experience working on academics and social skills with adults and children with ASD, and you have a winning "game plan."

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What to Do When the "Chip off the Old Block" Has a Crack in it: How to Help Your Husband Cope with a Special Needs Child

By Donna Richards

This article, so reminiscent of, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, has some great advice for dads (and moms too!).

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A Magical Night in Jenison

By Lana Slawkowski

You've seen ASQ's lovely "cover girl." Now read about the Fairy Tale that came true, as told by her mom.

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Great Resources for Families and Professionals

The editors of ASQ highlight some outstanding resources that are appropriate for school, home, and clinic. To see the list, Subscribe »