Empowering Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder : Critical Decision-making for Quality Outcomes

"This book presents an international research-based framework that has empowered parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to become critical decision makers to actively guide their child's learning and self-advocacy. Parents can use this framework to identify their child's vision and dreams, and to work with educators and service providers to establish specific learning goals and to implement effective interventions and programs that enable their child to achieve those goals and realise their vision for the future. The book begins by reviewing available research on evidence-based practice for children with ASD and outlining the Cycle of Learning decision-making framework for parents and professionals. Throughout the remainder of the book, case studies are presented to illustrate the ways in which different parents have successfully utilised this framework to develop effective plans for their child and to advocate for learning and education programs for both their child and other children with ASD in school and community settings. In addition, it highlights concrete examples of how parents have used the framework to empower their children with ASD to develop their self-awareness and self-determination, and to be able to self-advocate as they move through adolescence and into adult life."--Provided by publisher Front Matter....Pages i-xii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Effective Practice and Decision-Making for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder....Pages 3-7 Defining the Problem....Pages 9-26 Evidence-Based Practice and Autism Spectrum Disorder....Pages 27-52 The Cycle of Learning: A Framework for Decision-Making....Pages 53-83 Front Matter....Pages 85-85 Empowering Parents to Create Education Plans for Their Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder....Pages 87-91 Empowering Parents to Create a Vision for Their Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder....Pages 93-109 Developing Education Plans Within Curriculum Frameworks: Creating Profiles and Goals....Pages 111-134 Facilitating Self-Determination Through Education Planning....Pages 135-154 Developing Effective Transition Plans....Pages 155-182 Front Matter....Pages 183-183 Systems Advocacy: Facilitating Change at the Systems Level....Pages 185-187 Parent Advocacy with Schools: A Success Story....Pages 189-204 Creating a Community of Practice....Pages 205-218 Empowering Parents to Become Informed Advocates and Decision-Makers....Pages 219-233 Understanding Law and Policy to Gain the Best Educational Opportunities for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder....Pages 235-250 Finding the Common Thread: Bringing It all Together....Pages 251-254 Chapter 6: Empowering Parents to Create a Vision for Their Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 What Does the Research Tell Us? -- 6.3 What Can Be Done? -- 6.3.1 Cara's Story -- 6.3.2 Lisa's Story -- 6.4 Why Does This Work? Developing a Vision, Priorities and Profile -- 6.5 Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 7: Developing Education Plans Within Curriculum Frameworks: Creating Profiles and Goals -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 What Does the Research Tell Us? -- 7.3 What Can Be Done? Laurel's Story -- 7.4 Why Does This Work? Implications for Practice -- 7.5 Conclusion Foreword -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- Part I Parents, Effective Practice, and Critical Decision-Making: What do we know -- Chapter 1: Effective Practice and Decision-Making for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder -- References -- Chapter 2: Defining the Problem -- 2.1 Introduction: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder -- 2.2 Challenges Reported by Parents -- 2.2.1 Impact of ASD: Stress Levels -- 2.2.2 Engaging with Education Programs -- 2.2.3 Planning and Decision-Making -- 2.3 Parent Issues, Confidence and Need for Training - A Recent Study -- 2.4 Conclusion 4.2 What Is the Cycle of Learning? -- 4.3 Developing a Future Vision for Children with ASD -- 4.4 Assessing Strengths, Needs and Interests -- 4.5 Setting Goals -- 4.6 Implementing Strategies and Instruction -- 4.7 Evaluating Learning and Outcomes -- 4.8 Pulling It All Together: Using the Cycle of Learning Across Contexts and Environments -- 4.9 Conclusion -- References -- Part II Empowering Parents to Guide their Child's Learning -- Chapter 5: Empowering Parents to Create Education Plans for Their Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder -- References