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The ECLIPSE Model: Teaching Self-Regulation, Executive Function, Attribution, and Sensory Awareness to Students with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism, and Related Disorders

January 3rd, 2010 No comments »

The ECLIPSE Model: Teaching Self-Regulation, Executive Function, Attribution, and Sensory Awareness to Students with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism, and Related Disorders

by Sherry Moyer

Audience: (i.e. age, profession)
• Teachers
• Professionals

The process of attributing or assessing our circumstances is a neglected area for young people with Asperger Syndrome and other pervasive developmental disabilities, yet it poses severe challenges for them. The ECLIPSE Model targets the global skills needed to improve social competence, such as executive functioning, theory of mind, causal attribution, processing speed, and working memory. Without effective use of these skills on a regular basis, development of other areas of functioning, such as academic, adaptive or activities of daily living, and social and vocational skills will be challenged. This curriculum provides step-by-step lessons for teaching these vital skills in a way that is motivating to young people.

Learn how to order the The ECLIPSE Model: Teaching Self-Regulation, Executive Function, Attribution, and Sensory Awareness to Students with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism, and Related Disorders

Excerpt:

Letter from the Author

Reviews:

“The ECLIPSE Model is a unique, commonsense approach to teaching real-life, everyday skills designed to improve the social and behavioral functioning of learners with Asperger Syndrome and related disorders. The model helps to reframe the development of individual goals into specific skills that will make a measurable and meaningful long-term difference. This book is a thoughtful contribution that parents and professionals should consider essential to their programming!”

- Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D., president and chair, Scientific Council, Organization for Autism Research

“One of the biggest challenges NHS Human Services faced was finding a curriculum for our students with Asperger Syndrome and PDD-NOS. The ECLIPSE Model transforms the latest research into a user-friendly philosophy and lesson plans for teaching vital global skills like self-regulation and causal attribution. Easy to read and implement, The ECLIPSE Model has provided the NHS Human Services staff with everything needed to accommodate and support the diverse needs of our students. It is truly a significant advancement in systematic programming for the autism community!”

- Karen Markle, NHS vice president for Autism Services

“If you started out to write just even the ‘gems’ in The ECLIPSE Model, you would end up copying the whole book. Sherry Moyer has a solid understanding of ASD and the global skills that underlie the behaviors and challenges of individuals on the spectrum. The ECLIPSE Model, replete with practical suggestions, provides a tool for helping those with ASD to build these critical global skills. This book is the perfect resource for those involved in education, treatment, or advocacy for individuals with ASD.”

- Ruth Aspy, Ph.D., and Barry G. Grossman, Ph.D., The Ziggurat Group; authors of Designing Comprehensive Interventions for Individuals with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome: The Ziggurat Model

“Beginning with practical solutions for returning to an internal locus of control, The ECLIPSE Model empowers persons with Asperger Syndrome and related conditions to lead well-regulated, fulfilling, and productive lives. Chockfull of helpful projects and data-gathering tools, this curriculum allows students to gain greater self-awareness in order to master their own ‘operating systems’ for lifelong success. Will the skills acquired from engaging in The ECLIPSE Model be relevant 10 years down the line for those with Asperger Syndrome and related conditions? The answer is a resounding yes!”

- Stephen M. Shore, Ed.D., internationally known author and presenter; assistant professor of Education at Adelphi University; Board of Directors for the Asperger’s Association of New England and the Autism Society of America

“By enhancing underlying cognitive processes, The ECLIPSE Model provides the framework for developing global skills that impact lifelong functioning. Since this approach provides an overarching framework for social problem solving, students work through real-life situations, reducing the need for staged generalization and making activities meaningful to the individual. Students are able to actively participate in their treatment by identifying their goals and monitoring their progress to foster motivation, independence, and self-advocacy. For families and other treatment team members, The ECLIPSE Model is a comprehensive guide that not only provides a framework of skill development, but also all the materials needed to implement the program.”

- Delilah Wilcox, MS, BCBA, clinical director, NHS Autism School, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

“The ECLIPSE Model provides an excellent overview of the global skills necessary for success. Parents and professionals will find this practical, easy-to-use resource a must-have for their libraries. The interventions are straightforward, ensuring ease of implementation. The Strategic Bombs are a great teaching tool that can be integrated into many day-to-day situations.”

- Debbie Irish, manager of Training Services, Geneva Centre for Autism, Toronto, Ontario

“The ECLIPSE Model is of incredible importance for teaching individuals on the autism spectrum APPROPRIATELY and SUCCESSFULLY! This book marks a seminal point in education – if I could, I would send a copy to every special education director in the country. Never have I learned so many important tips, procedures, and concepts so easily.”

- Susan J. Moreno, president, MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome

Learn how to order the The ECLIPSE Model: Teaching Self-Regulation, Executive Function, Attribution, and Sensory Awareness to Students with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism, and Related Disorders

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Posted in Asperger Syndrome, Autism Classroom Projects, Autism Education, Autism and Emotions, Guides, New Autism Teaching Tools, Sensory Overload, Teaching Materials

Tags: Asperger Syndrome autism homework Autism Resources ECLIPSE Model New Autism Teaching Tools teaching autism Teaching Materials

What Does Happy Look Like?

December 6th, 2009 1 comment »

What Does Happy Look Like? by Joseph and Silvana Karim

Support I Teach Autism – Purchase What Does Happy Look Like?

by Joseph and Silvana Karim HERE

November 2009
Ages: 5-8
Audience: Parents, Teachers, Counselors

Emotions are difficult for most children to understand, but they pose a particular challenge for children with autism spectrum disorders due to their literal and concrete way of thinking and learning. Help for young children now comes in the form of this charming picture book, which presents examples of the basic emotions, happy, sad, mad, etc., in environments and situations that are familiar to children and, therefore, are easier to understand. Fun activities at the back of the book make this a truly interactive instructional experience. ISBN 978-1-934575-54-3

Excerpt:

In the following excerpt, Joseph and Silvana introduce the reader to the book and suggest how to use the story to help young readers come to grips with basic emotions.

Excerpt Page

This book is likely to be brought out and read repeatedly as situations arise that require the child to revisit the meaning of feelings.

Book Reviews

“Before children can effectively deal with their emotions, they need to understand and be able to accurately label those emotions. Joseph and Silvana Karim have created a visually appealing book with relevant and engaging illustrations. The book uses color and experiential metaphors to creatively help children understand five basic emotions. With the added activities in the back of the book, this is a must-have resource for parents and educators working with young children.”

- Kari Dunn Buron, autism education specialist; author of When My Worries Get Too Big!

“What Does Happy Look Like? is a great point of entry for talking about emotions and feelings with young children on the autism spectrum. The book takes abstract concepts, like angry and afraid, and simplifies them in an easy-to-read format supported by engaging illustrations. Readers will especially find the colors associated with each emotion a helpful tool in the teaching process. As an added bonus, activities at the back of the book are designed to further explore the topics introduced in the story. This is a must-have for every preschool classroom.”

- Teresa A. Cardon, M.A. CCC-SLP; author of Let’s Talk Emotions: Helping Children with Social Cognitive Deficits, Including AS, HFA, and NVLD, Learn to Understand and Express Empathy; Emotions Initiations and Interactions: Early Intervention Techniques for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders; and Top Ten Tips: A Survival Guide for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum

“This charmingly illustrated picture book engages children while helping them identify emotions. The focus on matching colors to different feelings, combined with the association of universally familiar experiences, makes this a wonderful teaching tool.”

- Mary Schlieder, M.Ed., 2008 Nebraska Teacher of the Year; author of With Open Arms: Creating School Communities of Support for Kids with Social Challenges Using Circle of Friends, Extracurricular Activities and Learning Teams

“Simply adorable. The illustrations and words exploring basic emotions will captivate all children and the adults who love them.”??

- Jennifer Veenendall; author of Arnie and His School Tools – Simple Sensory Solutions That Build Success and Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? Dealing with Sensory Overload

1 comment »

Posted in Autism and Emotions, Books for Students with Autism, Guides, Teaching Materials

Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? Dealing with Sensory Overload

November 1st, 2009 No comments »

We felt this one was a great resource for students with autism, aspergers or any sensory “overload” issues. Give it a look and let us know what you think!

Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? Dealing with Sensory Overload

Why does Izzy Cover her ears? Dealing with sensory overload.

Written and Illustrated by Jennifer Veenendall

Meet Izzy, a feisty first grader, whose behavior is often misunderstood as she tries to cope with sensory overload in her new surroundings. This brightly illustrated book creates an environment that is accepting of students with sensory modulation difficulties, including many on the autism spectrum. It’s a great resource for occupational therapists, teachers, and parents to share with children. Resources for adults at the end of the book include definitions of sensory processing and sensory modulation disorder, suggested discussion questions, and lists of related books and websites.

Sample Page

View Details

Amazon Reviews:

It’s All Too Much, June 1, 2009

By	BeatleBangs1964 (United States) – See all my reviews

George Harrison’s stellar “It’s All Too Much” and the inane classic “Make the World Go Away” which I never liked could easily be the soundtracks for this book.

Izzy is a delightfully plausible character who MIGHT have autism. She plainly has sensory issues, one of which is an aversion for loud noises. They are painful to her, so she will cover her ears regardless of her her environment.

She is a wonderful role model for all children, neurotypical and on the spectrum alike. I wish I’d had this book when I was a child. Show me a person on the spectrum who DOESN’T hate loud noises and surprises and I will show you a buzzard who can dance and a screaming eagle who can sing.

Izzy personifies the sensory overload experience perfectly and George Harrison’s 1968 lyrics “it’s all too much for me to see….it’s all too much for me to take” sum up this story very well.

Overloaded with Awesome Sensory Information to Share with Kids!, May 26, 2009

By	Joanna Keating-Velasco “Joanna” (Orange County, CA) – See all my reviews

From beginning to end, I LOVED this wonderful tool for introducing sensory challenges and solutions to kids at such an important age as early elementary school years. Izzy is a wonderful role model for kids who are challenged by their senses. They can see they are not alone and see how she deals with some of her challenges at school. As important, the book provides a wonderful tool to introduce sensory issues and potential sensory overload to classmates to help them better understand their peers who might be dealing with sensory overload. This book has great potential to bridge a gap between classmates by giving a better understanding of what others might be experiencing with regards to sensory issues.

Kudos to Jennifer Veenendall for delivering to us a wonderfully illustrated and clever story which beautifully tells a story of one child that can be transferred to many, many more.

Joanna Keating-Velasco
A Is for Autism F Is for Friend: A Kid’s Book for Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism
In His Shoes, A Short Journey Through Autism

A highly recommended and educational book for parents and children to share, June 17, 2009

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) – See all my reviews

Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? Dealing with Sensory Overload is the picturebook story of Izzy, an intelligent young girl just starting the first grade. Izzy has sensory processing disorder, which makes her over-responsive to environmental stimuli, including sounds, accidental bumps from other kids, and visual distractions. Her reflexive tendencies to cry, lash out, or cover her ears have caused other kids to accuse her of being mean, or deride her as a “crybaby”. But with help from her parents, her teachers, and an occupational therapist, she is learning how to adjust. She feels calmer and ready to learn, and she’s made a lot of friends! The story is told from Izzy’s point of view, but does not talk down to the reader. A highly recommended and educational book for parents and children to share, especially if the child has sensory processing disorder or knows relatives or friends with it.