Groupwork for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Ages 5-11: An Integrated Approach

Advocating a multi-disciplinary approach to working with children on the autism spectrum, this book includes theoretical background to ASD focusing on the underlying impairments and their impact on sensory processing, motor development, play, language and communication skills, social skills, emotional development and behaviour. Each developmental area is intrinsically linked and progress in one aspect of development is dependent on progress in another so a multi-disciplinary approach is essential. This book enables users to: assess individual needs; organise groups (including group members, venue and transport); set individual group targets; plan group sessions (examples of activities for each developmental area are provided); and, evaluate progress. It also offers ideas for developing good teamwork, including peer review. The book will help develop children’s skills in seven key areas of development: language and communication; socialisation; play; sensory; motor; behaviour; and, emotional. Case studies, working examples, photocopiable checklists, assessment forms and session sheets are provided for group facilitators to: assess individual needs; set individual targets; create personalised programmes; plan and run group sessions; evaluate progress; and, carry out peer reviews. Forty photocopiable activities, differentiated according to the developmental area being targeted as well as the developmental level of the child, are also included in this book.