The Ziggurat Model: A Framework for Designing Comprehensive Interventions for Individuals with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome (Paperback)

by Ruth Aspy (Author), Barry Grossman (Author), Gary B. Mesibov (Foreword) "Autism has been described as a distinct culture..." (more)
Key Phrases: difficulty tolerating mistakes, resists handwriting, component skill deficits, Ziggurat Model, Intervention Ziggurat, Notes Follow-Up (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Ziggurat Model is a valuable resource for public school professionals who must remain in compliance with federal and state guidelines. Specifically, recent trends in special education law emphasize the use of scientifically based research approaches along with a focus on Response to Intervention (RTI). Additionally, there is a strong push for incorporating positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) based on a functional behavioral assessment. The Ziggurat Model is consistent with these practices. The Ziggurat Model is unique. While it is easy to find volumes of information describing specific interventions, it is difficult to find information on how to develop an intervention plan. This book presents a process and framework for designing comprehensive interventions for individuals of all ages with autism spectrum disorders. The Ziggurat Model was designed to simplify a complex process. Parents and professionals will find the framework of the Ziggurat Model to be a guide in developing more thorough and effective interventions. The book includes assessment tools, case scenarios, and many interventions that were developed with their needs in mind. The Ziggurat Model foreword is written by Dr. Gary Mesibov, Director of Division TEACCH.

About the Author
Ruth Aspy, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and author. She specializes in assessment and intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Aspy is co-creator of the Ziggurat Model and speaks nationally on this and other topics. She has experience in both clinical and school settings. Barry G. Grossman, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who specializes in assessment and intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. He provides assessment and consultation services in the public schools as well as staff development. Dr. Grossman is an author and speaks nationally. He co-created the Ziggurat Model, which has been adopted at district- and statewide levels.

Product Details

• Paperback: 331 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Publishing Company; 2nd Revised edition edition (January 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931282366
• ISBN-13: 978-1931282369
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #600,225 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ziggurat Model: An Observant Person's Perspective, March 12, 2007

By	William Guess - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I own my own copy of this fabulous, very hands-on approach to understanding what in the world autism and Asperger syndrome even mean. I am a Mom very integrated into a world of other families through relationships with other parents and their children. My main interaction comes from dealing with children through being a childcare provider through my church. Our church is on the larger side--taking care of around 1,000 children a week. We regularly are called on to provide childcare for children who have been recognized as falling into "autistic" and "Asperger's" categories. As someone who wants to provide excellent care for each child who comes into our classrooms, it is becoming more and more necessary to understand what it means to be "autistic" and to have "Asperger's syndrome." Some parents are able to suggest some things that can make their child's stay easier for him/her, but others simply leave their child with no instructions. The way that Ruth Aspy and Barry Grossman have designed their diagnostic and interventive model of understanding and then appropriately interacting with these children is so practical. Just this morning, another mother in our Mom's group at church put a request out on our Mom's website asking for help in understanding what "autistic" means because her sibling had just had a 4-year-old child diagnosed with this disorder, and the family is just dismayed and confused about what it all means. This is a situation I've heard about over and over. The need for a practical understanding of the underlying causes, and appropriate interventions for giving each person a way to have the greatest chance to experience life at its fullest, is what The Ziggurat Model addresses so effectively. Thank you, Ruth and Barry, for providing for those of us who haven't known what we ought, to be able to have the knowledge to care as optimally as we can, for those we want to love, as well as we can.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ziggurat Model: An In-depth and Comprehensive Approach, March 9, 2007

By	Susan B. Jamieson "retired special education ... (Lewisville, TX, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am so excited to see the release of The Ziggurat Model! This book is clearly the result of a combination of a thorough knowledge of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a deep understanding of the complexity of the problem-solving that is needed to craft truly effective interventions, and the passion of the authors to assist educators, parents, caretakers, and service providers in finding answers about how to better meet the needs of individuals on the spectrum. Having worked for over 30 years as a special education professional with a wide variety of children with ASD, my observation is that the students face some of the greatest challenges of any disability group in receiving and benefiting from their instruction and in benefiting from the day-to-day opportunities of the world around them. The professionals, paraprofessionals, and parents face equal challenges in knowing how and learning how to meet the needs of this group of individuals. The Ziggurat Model provides a well-conceived and systematic approach to problem-solving the learning challenges we face with this ever-growing population in the schools (currently 1 in every 150 children).

Being a very practical and "do-able" approach, parents and professionals can work together to apply the Ziggurat Model to any student (client) on the spectrum to design interventions that have a high potential for success. The framework utilizes specific individual characteristics and key information relating to the student's disability, learning preferences, and needs to address critical factors and determine instructional/intervention needs.

I love the clear way the text is laid out, the thoroughness with which autism spectrum disorders are described and explained, and how the descriptions are linked to the accepted DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) criteria. The use of the iceberg model to explain the characteristics of the disorder helps build the logic for the way the Ziggurat has been designed. The five critical levels provide a brilliant way to lay out the salient factors that lead to the conclusions about what to do next. The visual model is easy to follow, logical, and comprehensive in scope. The assessment tools, worksheets, vignettes and applications provide rich support for the technical explanations, making the model come alive, and showing its broad applicability.

Kudos to the authors for an incredibly valuable labor of love, dedicated to a group of individuals who need and deserve all the love and support that they can get! Well done!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ziggurat Model: A Necessity for Parents, Teachers, Professionals, March 16, 2007

By	Penny C. Woods "Educational Diagnostician/For... (Lewisville, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Brilliant! Finally someone has developed an approach that allows you to design individualized interventions for students with HFA/AS addressing all areas of need. This book provides tools to assess underlying characteristics and move forward to create individualized interventions to address specific behaviors or a general program. I love how the Ziggurat Model focuses on proactive strategies and positive approaches to intervention. Dr. Aspy and Dr. Grossman also incorporate proven strategies from the field of Autism at each level of the Intervention Ziggurat, summarizing research support for the strategies. The beauty of this book is that it provides a way to look at a student's needs and make decisions about designing appropriate interventions. I wish I had had this resource when I was in the classroom. I feel it would have helped me to be a better teacher by being able to design a more appropriate, more comprehensive program for my students with HFA/AS. Thank you, Dr. Aspy and Dr. Grossman, for the time and dedication it has taken to develop this approach and share it with other professionals. I truly believe the Ziggurat Model will make a difference in the lives of all children with HFA/AS whose teachers and parents choose to embrace it!