The Miller Method: Developing the Capacities of Children on the Autism Spectrum [Hardcover]

Arnold Miller (Author), Kristina Chretien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1843107228 | ISBN-13: 978-1843107224 | Edition: 1

This informative and practical guide to the Miller Method[registered] presents an entirely new and dynamic perspective on advancing the body organization, social, and communicative skills of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Taking a cognitive developmental systems approach that uses elevation to build body awareness and focus the children on people and objects, the Miller Method[registered] works on the premise that children with ASDs learn more effectively when their whole bodies are physically and repetitively involved in a learning process or 'system'; a completely different approach from the more traditional schoolroom arrangement in which children learn while sitting at a desk. Chapters outline the underlying principles of the Miller Method[registered] and its practical application, and cover major issues such as communication skills and social play, and day-to-day behavioural issues including tantrums, aggression, and toilet training. A chapter on research outcomes demonstrates the efficacy of the method in practice. This practical resource is essential reading for parents and professionals living and working with children with ASDs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Arnold Miller, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, is Executive Director of the Language and Cognitive Development Center of Boston as well as Affiliate Professor of Psychology, Clark University. Kristina Chretien works as cognitive-developmental therapist at the Language and Cognitive Development Center of Boston.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (February 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843107228
• ISBN-13: 978-1843107224
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,377,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and Applicable to the Classroom, December 29, 2009

By 

Alan E. Mushen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Miller Method: Developing the Capacities of Children on the Autism Spectrum (Hardcover)

Arnold Miller and Kristina Chretien have written a book that is extremely useful for educating individuals with autism spectrum disorders in home and school settings. This informative and practical guide to the Miller Method presents an entirely new and dynamic perspective on advancing the body organization, social, and communicative skills of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Working on the premise that children with ASDs learn more effectively when their whole bodies are involved, The Miller Method covers major issues such as communication skills and social play, as well as day-to-day behavioral issues including tantrums, aggression and toilet training. Part of Miller's method includes guiding the child on to The Elevated Square, a device that gets the child off the floor and markedly diminishes toe-walking, hand flapping and aimless wandering. By creating a highly defined reality that requires the child's rapt attention to traverse it, the Elevated Square helps counter some of the significant challenges these children confront. Another feature of the method entails the carefully gauged disruption of everyday routines. This may include deliberately "messing up" the classroom so that the children experience putting it together and learning that they can cope with disorder and change.

As a special educator for over twenty years in the public school system, i would highly recommend this practical resource as essential reading for parents and professionals living and working with children who have autism spectrum disorders.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Compliance!!!, July 31, 2009

By 

Stephen M. Shore "Tumbalaika" (Newton, MA United States, Author of Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Miller Method: Developing the Capacities of Children on the Autism Spectrum (Hardcover)

Working with the characteristics of autism rather than against, Dr. Miller's groundbreaking book explains how children with autism perceive their world and is chock full of easy to implement interventions addressing their challenges.

As a professor of special education at Adelphi University focusing on educating children with autism and being on the autism spectrum this book has my highest recommendation for anyone seeking to learn more about helping children with autism.