Right from the Start: Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism, second edition (Topics in Autism) [Paperback]

Sandra L. Harris (Ph.D.) (Author), Mary Jane Weiss (Ph.D. BCBA) (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2007

Parents of young children (ages 18 months to 5 years) with a diagnosis of autism, face the critical decision of which educational treatment program to choose for their child. To help guide them through this complex decision-making process, parents can turn to the revised and updated edition of RIGHT FROM THE START, which covers programs that use Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, a highly effective treatment based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). New information includes the latest research on the benefits of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, the types of instruction used (naturalistic instruction and other teaching methods that complement ABA), home-based professionals and their credentials, school-based programs, and more. An Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention program consists of concentrated instruction (at least 40 hours a week) and can be based in the child's home, at a center (private or university), or more recently, in public schools. Besides the setting, there are many other variables to consider when evaluating a program, and RIGHT FROM THE START thoroughly explores those, including: age of the child; access to typically developing peers; curriculum; teaching strategies; team member credentials; time demands; family finances; home support services; supervision and accountability; behavior management; control over the child's education; visual and auditory distractions; availability of multidisciplinary team. Many preschoolers who receive Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention make good progress and may go on to be included with their typically developing peers in elementary school. Comprehensive in its coverage and full of personal insight, RIGHT FROM THE START is an essential primer to help families explore the options and select the educational treatment program that best suits them and their child's needs. The many professionals who work closely with these families can also benefit from reading

Editorial Reviews

Review

[The authors] continue to skillfully guide parents through the complex process of understanding the differences among ABA programs and selecting the right program based on the individual needs of the child and the family. --Autism Asperger Digest, September 2007

With autism diagnoses at an all-time high, this updated second edition will be invaluable to parents searching for relevant information. Harris and Weiss, both directors of the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, know firsthand the importance of early intervention in autism. The current research they provide highlights the effectiveness of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, an autism treatment program based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for preschoolers with autism. Deciding to use ABA with a child requires research and reflection; this book will assist parents in creating and implementing an ABA program in their home and in selecting instructors and professional consultants. It will also help them evaluate public school programs and the pros and cons of a home-based vs. a center-based program. Most helpful are the personal anecdotes from parents detailing their experiences with autism and ABA. Any parent of a newly diagnosed toddler or preschooler would benefit from the information here when considering his or her child's treatment program. Highly recommended for public libraries, even those owning the first edition. --Library Journal, April 1, 2007

From the Publisher

A Review...

"This 'Guide for Parents and Professionals' constitutes an excellent overview of and introduction to early behavioral intervention. Well-written in a friendly style, this book avoids the harsh rhetoric often accompanying discussions of behavioral intervention for children with autism. The authors are strong advocates for their approach, but they also admit that this method does not work well for all children with autism. Unlike many other writers on this subject, they accept flexibility and individualized planning and programming, and they advocate inclusion with nondisabled peers as early as possible. Not all educators would accept the assumption that intervention methods must be supported by rigorous research, but most would agree that there must be some demonstrated efficacy. All in all, this book is a very useful, humane beginning for parents and early childhood teachers." --Newsline (The Federation for Children with Special Needs), Fall 1998 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; 2 edition (March 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890627801
• ISBN-13: 978-1890627805
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you are new to Autism & ABA - this is a good book, January 27, 2003

By 

Lisa Ackerman (Newport Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Right from the Start: Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism (Topics in Autism) (Paperback)

BUT, if you know about ABA and have read "The Me Book" from Lovaas or "Let me hear your voice" from Maurice - this book is not for you.

So let me talk to you if you are a newbie to autism. This book is GREAT because it explains in ENGLISH the basics on ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) treatment for autism. It reviews case studies on choices, how to get started, funding, and other extremely important topics for newbies.

It is a great book that I give to new parents with children affected with autism ALL THE TIME.

But remember: if you are an advanced person been doing the autism and ABA journey for awhile, this book is NOT for you.

...

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book and realize you're not alone, September 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Right from the Start: Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism (Topics in Autism) (Paperback)

I wish I'd had this book so much earlier. I cried as I read the parents' stories and experiences--they sound just like the talks my husband and I have and our worries, hopes, and dreams for our son. This is a wonderful book of insight and advice for getting started receiving services and assuring you that you can make progress in reaching your child! Strongly recommended.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This should be Required Reading !, April 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Right from the Start: Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism (Topics in Autism) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book! One of the best I've read(and that covers quite a few!).Excellent advice for Parents just starting out in the maze of Autism treatments and also wonderful for professionals.Lots of practical advice"If someone promises you huge gains,run fast in the other direction"."Be a questioning critical consumer".Lots of excellent advice on choosing a program and fabulous comments from parents which capture the whole essence of dealing with Autism.This book tells us what we all know that the best thing for our children is to 'get in their faces' with early intensive behavioural intervention.Good luck fellow Parents!