Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adolescents and Adults: Evidence-Based and Promising Interventions

by Matt Tincani PhD (Editor), Andy Bondy PhD (Editor)

Overview

Bringing together leading experts, this book presents effective practices for helping people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to thrive in adulthood. As individuals with ASD mature, their needs change as well. The book reviews the growing research base and describes ways to support adolescents and adults in succeeding in higher education and work, living independently, enjoying leisure activities, navigating meaningful personal relationships, and more. Specific behavioral and instructional interventions--such as functional communication training, positive behavior support, and applied behavior analysis--are discussed. Case examples illustrate practical aspects of applying the strategies in real-world school and community settings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462517343
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	08/22/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	334
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Matt Tincani, PhD, BCBA-D, is Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Temple University. His primary focus is the application of behavioral principles to improve language, academic, social, and play skills of learners with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities, with particular interest in Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior. Other research interests include positive behavior support in school and community settings, scaling-up of behavioral interventions, quality of life of people with disabilities, and single-case designs. Dr. Tincani has served on the editorial boards of several prominent journals in the special education field and is an associate editor of the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2000, Dr. Tincani was previously coordinator of Temple's graduate Applied Behavior Analysis program, in addition to his longstanding affiliation with the Special Education program.

Andy Bondy, PhD, has over 40 years of experience working with children and adults with ASD and related developmental disabilities. For more than a dozen years he served as the director of a statewide public school program for students with autism. He and his wife, Lori Frost, pioneered the development of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Dr. Bondy designed the Pyramid Approach to Education as a comprehensive combination of broad-spectrum behavior analysis and functional communication strategies. He is a cofounder of Pyramid Educational Consultants, in Newark, Delaware, and serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
1. Characteristics of Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders, Brenda Smith Myles, Amy Bixler Coffin, Donna J. Owens, & Courtney Yantes
2. Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Family, Lauren Pepa & Sandra L. Harris
II. Transitioning from Adolescence to Adulthood
3. Effective Secondary Education and Transition for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Michael L. Wehmeyer & Dianne Zager
4. Postsecondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Jane Thierfeld Brown, Lorraine E. Wolf, & Christine Wenzel
III. Instructional and Behavioral Interventions to Promote Quality of Life
5. Behavioral Interventions for Complex Communication and Social Skills in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Angelica Aguirre, John O’Neill, Ruth Anne Rehfeldt, & Valerie Boyer
6. Teaching Functional Communication to Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Russell Lang, Jeff Sigafoos, Larah van der Meer, Amarie Carnett, Vanessa A. Green, Giulio E. Lancioni, & Mark F. O’Reilly
7. Positive Behavior Support for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Matt Tincani & Shannon Crozier
8. Skill-Building Interventions for Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Peter F. Gerhardt, Maria Fernanda Garcia, & Anthony Foglia
9. Sexuality and Relationships for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Jason C. Travers & Peggy Schaeffer Whitby
10. Toward a Balanced Leisure Lifestyle for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Phyllis Coyne & Ann Fullerton
IV. Employment, Independence, Aging, and Policy
11. Meaningful Employment for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Paul Wehman, Pamela Sherron Targett, Carol Schall, & Staci Carr
12. Facilitating Successful Independent Living Skills for Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders, Brenda Smith Myles, Daniel Steere, Cathy Pratt, Ruth Aspy, Barry G. Grossman, & Shawn A. Henry
13. Aging, Estate Planning, and Funding Services for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Carol Markowitz
14. Legal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorders, Beverly L. Frantz & David W. Zellis

Interviews

Clinical psychologists, counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists working with adolescents and adults; school psychologists; also of interest to secondary and postsecondary educators and parent advocates. May serve as a supplemental text in advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level courses.

Editorial Reviews

"Each chapter gives an excellent overview of the theories and interventions currently in use, the evidence to support their use, and potential areas for future research and improvement. Frequent case examples detail these approaches in practice. This is a valuable resource for students contemplating working with people with ASD, practicing professionals, and family and friends of people with ASD. Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.

Choice Reviews

"Tincani and Bondy—who collectively have some 60 years of experience in the field of autism—bring together in one place the wisdom of experts from a broad range of disciplines that touch the lives of adults with ASD. The book meets its goal of providing clarity about ways to build skills for employment, independent living, and other areas that help one live a happy life. The case studies are a rich source of practical information that will be of great utility to readers. Anyone who works with adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum will find this book invaluable."—V. Mark Durand, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida St. Petersburg

"At last! A one-stop shop for those interested in the issues affecting adolescents and adults with ASD. As someone who has worked with this population for over 45 years, I know how truly important these issues are to individuals and families. This volume provides state-of-the-art knowledge from many of the field's leading researchers and practitioners. Coverage includes life transitions, community involvement, services, education, social relationships, recreation, aging, and more. I am impressed by the accessibility of the volume; the chapters are well organized and clearly written. This book is a 'must have' for clinicians, educators, and students entering the field."—Laura Schreibman, PhD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Research Professor, Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego

"Adults and adolescents with ASD have received far less attention than children, making this book especially needed and valuable. That the book accentuates evidence-based treatments and interventions makes it all the more useful. Instructors looking for a practitioner-friendly text for ASD adult-focused classes (e.g., transition planning for adults) will find excellent content here. Practitioners interested in up-to-date information and strategies for guiding postschool and adult planning will also be pleased with this resource."—Richard L. Simpson, EdD, Department of Special Education, University of Kansas

From the Publisher

The chapters cover a continuum of topics, beginning with the overarching introductory chapters, then progressing across developmental periods ranging from secondary education to late adulthood. Each chapter is well annotated with extensive references. Key points in each chapter are highlighted with well-constructed tables and charts that help reinforce important points….Clinical vignettes are included that enhance the text and illustrate the individual interventions described by the authors….The coordination among the various chapter authors is evident….The book is well organized, flows cohesively, and is well referenced.”

Journal of Psychiatric Practice

Reviewer: Michael S. Goldsby, PhD, CCRP (Family Psychiatry of The Woodlands)
Description: Timely and relevant, this book presents new ideas and successful strategies from experts in the field for helping individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to successfully navigate the school, work, and living transition from adolescence to young adulthood. It offers unique and insightful research-based guidelines about strategies to help adolescents with ASD lead productive and happy lives during and after their transition into adulthood.
Purpose: The authors state that the purpose is to provide a comprehensive overview of evidence-based and promising practices for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders who need help with transition planning into adulthood, specifically with building skill sets for future employment and independent living, if desired, as well as post high school education.
Audience: The audience most likely to benefit most from this book is mental health professionals such as counselors, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers who work with the autistic patient population. In addition, academic and clinical instructors, as well as graduate students in psychology and associated disciplines will find this book quite helpful.
Features: The book addresses three main topics: transitioning from adolescence to adulthood; instructional and behavioral interventions to promote quality of life; and employment, independence, aging, and policy. Experts contribute their research findings, intervention techniques, and clinical experience administering these interventions. Case studies in every chapter help to illustrate how young adults with ASD benefit from the application of specific strategies.
Assessment: The authors, renowned researchers and clinicians, present what can easily be called a pioneering book that casts light on issues involved in the transition from adolescence to young adulthood for people with autism spectrum disorders. Volumes have been written on research and interventions, both academic and legal, on behalf of children with ASD, but the same cannot be said about life after high school for the ASD population - until now. With a half million autistic children expected to enter young adulthood in the next 10 years, this timely volume leads the way in preparing clinical practitioners and family members with evidence-based and promising interventions to support young adults with ASD through that transition. I highly recommend this book as the must-have reference for anyone in the mental health professions, graduate students in psychology and social science disciplines, as well as family members of loved ones with ASD. Highly acclaimed, this book has quickly become the premier reference for understanding the needs of young adults with ASD, and the evidence-based and promising interventions that address those needs such that the transition into adulthood is successful.

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