Right from the start - Sandra L Harris

Parents of young children -- ages 18 months to 5 years -- recently diagnosed with 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". This second edition covers programs that use Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention, a highly effective treatment based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). New information includes the latest research on the benefits of Early Intensive Behavioural 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 Behavioural Intervention program consists of concentrated instruction (at least 40 hours a week) and can be based in the child's home, at a centre (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. 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 this book.