Autism and Enablement: Occupational Therapy Approaches to Promote Independence for Adults with Autism

Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) or a suspected diagnosis often have hidden needs that go unmet by public services. This book describes and analyses the Kent ASC enablement approach, a short-term intervention led by occupational therapy to promote people with ASC becoming more self-aware and self-sufficient outside of public services.Designed to teach adults with ASC strategies for controlling their sensory, motor-processing and social-communication needs and preferences, this person-centred approach gives them greater self-management over their lives. The book also provides an overview of a range of both professional and self-help tools and technologies which can be used by adults with ASC to increase independence and wellbeing. Case-studies demonstrate the transformative effects of enablement on daily life for adults with ASC. The book also provides recommendation for building on the enablement approach. The author focuses on the role of sensory perceptual problems in autism as identified by autistic individuals themselves. She covers the 'unusual' sensory perceptual experiences and sensitivities which are often ignored by professionals, and explores assessment and intervention issues. Completely revised and updated, this book focuses on sensory perceptual problems as identified by individuals on the autism spectrum. Despite frequently being identified by individuals with autism as one of the main problems they face, sensory perceptual issues are still often overlooked by professionals. The author covers the sensory perceptual experiences and sensitivities seen in autism spectrum conditions, and the cognitive differences caused by them. She considers assessment and intervention, and makes practical recommendations for selecting appropriate methods and techniques to eliminate sensory perceptual problems and enhance individual strengths. Brought up-to-date with current research and the latest thinking on autism, this book enables teachers, parents, professionals and individuals with autism fully to understand and address the problematic aspects of the sensory perceptual differences of people with autism spectrum conditions Understand and support executive function in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with this fully-explained, innovative model. Showing how to use an individual's strengths to address executive functioning weaknesses, this approach will also help to build a strong foundation for social and communication skills. Advocating a person-centred approach, the author describes the importance of identifying the individual's preferred style of engagement and communication, and how sensory experiences impact their thoughts, feelings, and actions. She explains how to use this information to identify the individual's strengths and weaknesses across eight key areas which are the building blocks of executive functions: attention; memory; organization; time management; initiative; behavior; goal setting and flexibility. These areas can be used daily to establish predictability and offer a foundation for interpreting, processing and understanding the world with flexibility. Professionals and parents can also use them as the basis of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or to create personalized interventions and support at school or at home. Bringing together a wealth of professional and academic research, alongside personal insights into aging and autism, this edited sourcebook focusses on the challenges faced by individuals who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and are middle aged or older. Bringing together international academics and professionals who are actively researching and working in the field, this pioneering scholarly volume covers the issues faced by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) in mid and later life. Including a range of personal, academic and clinical perspectives, the book considers historical and contemporary perspectives on autism, including diagnosis, developmental outcomes and life course issues. Attention is given to medical, care and psychological issues that arise as people with ASD age, such as declining cognitive function and speech and communication issues. Family, community support, housing, advocacy, and socio-cultural considerations for older adults with ASD are also given careful consideration, and there are chapters on relationship and sexuality issues and on environmental design This book addresses the specific mental health needs of girls and young women with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Looking at the ways autism presents differently in girls than in boys, and the mental health conditions that occur most frequently in girls with ASD, this is the essential guide for clinicians and educators on tailoring interventions and support to meet girls' needs. Describing the current assessment process for autism diagnosis, the book explains why girls are under- or mis-diagnosed, leading to later mental health issues. It outlines the types of intervention that are particularly helpful for working with girls to reduce anxiety, improve social interaction skills, and manage self-harm. The book also covers how to manage eating disorders and feeding difficulties, focusing on working with girls with sensory processing difficulties. There is advice on how to deal with the emotional impact on parents, carers and families, and the challenges they face when negotiating appropriate psychological and educational support. Completely revised and updated, this book focuses on sensory perceptual problems as identified by individuals on the autism spectrum. Despite frequently being identified by individuals with autism as one of the main problems they face, sensory perceptual issues are still often overlooked by professionals. The author covers the sensory perceptual experiences and sensitivities seen in autism spectrum conditions, and the cognitive differences caused by them. She considers assessment and intervention, and makes practical recommendations for selecting appropriate methods and techniques to eliminate sensory perceptual problems and enhance individual strengths. Brought up-to-date with current research and the latest thinking on autism, this book enables teachers, parents, professionals and individuals with autism fully to understand and address the problematic aspects of the sensory perceptual differences of people with autism spectrum conditions. -- Amazon.com Bringing together an international range of personal, research, and clinical perspectives, this pioneering book explores the broad range of issues faced by adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mid and later life. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the book covers historical and contemporary perspectives on aging with ASD, including diagnosis, developmental outcomes, and life course issues. Contributors from disciplines as diverse as genetics, old age psychiatry, speech-language pathology, and environmental design, as well as aging individuals with ASD and their families, explore not only the challenges of growing older with ASD, but also positive ways in which the future for older individuals with ASD may be improved. Health care, housing, rights, social policy, and community support needs are all considered, and emphasis is placed on the importance of relationships, psychological and emotional wellbeing, and inclusion Autism and Enablement - Occupational Therapy Approaches to Promote Independence for Adults with Autism, by Matt Bushell, Sandra Gasson and Ute Vann Contents Foreword by Peter Vermeulen Acknowledgements Introduction - Matt Bushell Chapter 1 - Understanding Autistic SpectrumConditions and their Impact onthe Individual - Matt Bushell Chapter 2 - Identifying the Need for anEnablement Intervention - Ute Vann Chapter 3 - An Occupational Therapy- Led Enablement Intervention - Sandra Gasson Chapter 4 - Specialist Enablement Research Results and Analysis - Ute Vann and Sandra Gasson Chapter 5 - Key Learning and Recommendations - Matt Bushell, Sandra Gasson and Ute Vann Index Preface Introduction 1. The Autism Kaleidoscope 2. Salutogenesis and Sensory Coordination 3. Autistic Languages and Communication 4. Unlocking the Executive Functions through the Autistic Access Points 5. Executive Functions in the Autistic Experience Conclusion Appendix: Pia Hämälänen's Personal Description of her Experience as an Autistic Adult. The fully updated edition of this bestselling book brings the understanding of sensory perceptual issues in autism up to date with current research. It describes sensory perceptual experiences and sensitivities and explains the cognitive differences caused by them. The final chapters are devoted to assessment and different methods of intervention Girls with autism require tailored support for dealing with mental health issues. This book offers interventions specifically for supporting girls with their mental health, by looking at looking at how girls are assessed and diagnosed for autism, and explaining which mental health conditions girls with autism most frequently experience. Bringing together a wealth of professional and academic research, alongside personal insights into aging and autism, this edited sourcebook looks beyond the early years and transition into adulthood with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), to focus instead on the challenges facing individuals with ASDs who are middle aged or older. Outlining eight 'Autism Access Points', this book is a helpful guide to understanding, accessing and strengthening executive function skills in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Supportive and user-friendly, the ideas in this book provide a roadmap to developing essential organisational and planning skills.