Autism: Teaching Makes a Difference

This book is ideal for pre-service and in-service teachers required to implement effective evidence-based practices for children and youth with autism, particularly those who also have intellectual disabilities. It provides instructions, sample forms, and other practical tools necessary to improve students' educational outcomes. An overview discusses the educational needs of students with autism as well as key issues including etiological research, behavioral characteristics, diagnostic approaches, and program development and refinement. Subsequent chapters cover teaching methodologies, challenging behavior interventions, curriculum development, and related areas. The book is grounded in the scientifically supported premise that well-planned evidenced-based strategies, accurately implemented, can empower students and help teachers guide students to increasingly independent functioning.