Thursday, September 10, 2009

Review and Giveaway: The Autism Checklist by Paula Kluth, Ph.D. with John Shouse


I have spent a great deal of my time and energy the past 8.5 years learning about autism. I know so much about it that I have trouble condensing information for people who don't eat, breathe and sleep with autism the way I do. We constantly interact with people who interact with my daughter but know little to nothing about autism, from the figure skating coach to babysitters to Sunday School Teachers. I, like most parents in my situation, need a resource, something we can give to or recommend to teachers, coaches, church volunteers, even friends, family and neighbors.

One book that many of us buy in bulk to give away is, "You're Going to Love This Kid," by Paula Kluth PhD. It's about inclusion in a school setting.

I've seen Dr. Kluth present three times, and she always amazes me! Kluth is one of the most understanding professionals in terms of understanding the blessings and the challenges that come with autism and describing those characteristics to people who teach or live with an individual on the autism spectrum. She can step into the shoes of a student on the autism spectrum and understand behaviors that other professionals label as "non-compliant" or "maladaptive" or "manipulative", interpret the behaviors for the rest of us. She is able to teach us about what she sees through their eyes so that we can be better parents and teachers to our kids.

She creatively addresses challenges and supports students on the autism spectrum and shares her successes with the world.

I've known of John Shouse for several years, having "met" him (online) when I was a chapter leader for my local ASA chapter. He has a child on the autism spectrum and is an incredible resource and advocate for families like mine in Tennessee.

Kluth and Shouse have teamed up to write, "The Autism Checklist: Practical References for Parents and Teachers" and when I read about the book before it was released, my expectations were high.

I was not disappointed. (Two thumbs up!) You'll need a highlighter and your sticky notes to mark pages, if you're like me. This is one you're going to want to order in bulk, so you have one to keep and some to loan or give to teachers, church staff, coaches, and others who interact with your family member who is on the autism spectrum. You might even make it required reading for anyone who interacts with your child!

What's inside? The book is filled with practical tips and strategies that can be implemented immediately. Do's, don't's, some answers to "why does he do that?", with idea after idea for setting an individual up for success.

The book is organized for easy access to specific information, offering five broad categories (Basic Info, Parents, Teachers, Helpful Strategies for Home and School, Resources) and within each category are short sections that are simple to search in terms of finding specific information and that are easily read in a few minutes. The table of contents is here if you'd like to take a peek; some chapter excerpts are available here. Most of the classroom tips and strategies are applicable to homeschoolers. I like the fact that Kluth and Shouse include a lot of information on sensory challenges and movement differences in autism, two topics that are sometimes shortchanged in books about autism.

The resource section is impressive. There are products, organizations and web sites that are new to me (and I thought I knew them all!).

The book is definitely one to recommend or to own to loan to individuals who work with your child, especially those who are brand new to autism.

Here's ordering info:

The Autism Checklist: A Practical Reference for Parents and Teachers ($15.95)
Paula Kluth
ISBN: 978-0-470-43408-6
Paperback
256 pages
September 2009, Jossey-Bass

GIVEAWAY for US Readers: I have one copy of The Autism Checklist: A Practical Reference for Parents and Teachers to give away to a reader. Leave a comment on this post indicating you'd like to enter. I'll do the drawing Friday, 18 Sep 09. Be sure to leave me a way to contact you. ;)

31 comments:

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Penny said...

Note from Penny: Terri's comment removed in order to avoid displaying a telephone number.

Martha said...

Please enter my name in the drawing. You can contact me at my email: rnmspurgeon@sbcglobal.net and I will get back with you with my address - if I win. :)

Autismland Penny said...

Hey, enter me!!! PLEASE!!!!! You already know how to find me! lol

Lisa C. said...

I'd love to win this book! Please enter me in the giveaway! Thanks!

Fellow Crew Member,
Lisa @ www.homesteadblogger.com/wyldhousehomestead

Theresa said...

I'd love to win a copy of this book! Please enter me into the contest.
Should I win you can reach me at temans@gmail.com

Thanks, it definately looks like a must read, hope i win :)

Theresa

Anonymous said...

I would like to enter for the drawing. I love Paula Kluth books and recommend her to all my son's teachers. She puts forth common sense when dealing with autistic children. Melivia Mutch
onetwomutch@e-mich.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy of this book. I am new to the world of autism as we only found out a year ago regarding our son. My email address is bikerssister@yahoo.com

Thank you,
Teri

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy of this book. I am new to the world of autism as we only found out a year ago regarding our son. My email address is bikerssister@yahoo.com

Thank you,
Teri

Unknown said...

I remember reading her book, "You're Gonna Love this Kid", and I loved it! She is so respectful of our children...please enter me in the drawing. THANKS!

poohder said...

Golly, count me in! Rhonda
poohder2005@yahoo.com

purple squirrel said...

Penny~

Fellow TOS member here... (Lis in MA)
I'd love to get this to "preread", and then share with those I know that have kids "on the spectrum"....
http://acornsnuggetsofgold.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Thanks, Penny, for not putting my phone number up. Please enter my name in your drawing. You can contact me at deejaytjo@gmail.com. Thank you.

Kathleen said...

Hi! Please enter me! my email is jahelppi@mtu.edu! Thanks!
Kathleen

Unknown said...

Hello, please submit my name for the "Giveaway". I am from Puerto Rico and these resources are not available. We are in need of such information and help. cmira003@gmail.com. Thank you.

Marie, from Puerto Rico

Anonymous said...

Hi, I would like to be entered. eriveras@optonline.net Thanks!

Susan Tamaoki said...

Please add my name to the drawing. You can reach me at tamaoki_s@yahoo.com. I'm looking for something like this that I can share with teachers.

Susan Tamaoki said...

Please add my name to the drawing. You can reach me at tamaoki_s@yahoo.com. I'm looking for something like this that I can share with teachers.

Anonymous said...

Penny,

Please enter me for your drawing. With my son starting at a new school that is not quite used to the center program being there, let alone any kind of inclusion with gen ed, I am sure a copy could come in handy at school!

Thanks.

Cindy L
ccorwin611@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Penny, please enter me in the drawing. This sounds like a great book and I really like Paula Kluth, too. I am sure many of us will be buying it, if we do not win it. Thanks for having the drawing. You can contact me at mmherzen@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Penny,
I would love to have a copy of this book. Please enter my name in the drawning.

My email address is dreamer23275@yahoo.com

Penny said...

Thank you for offering this giveaway!My name is Katherine, and I would like to be "entered" in the drawing. My email is katychano@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Please add me to the book giveaway! I would really like to enjoy it and pass it on! Contact me: a.rohde@sbcglobal.net

Sweetpetunia said...

Hi Penny, I sure do miss you and everyone on the Crew. Would you enter me please? I have one relative in particular that really needs to read this book.

Thanks!

Julie

sweet petunia jk at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Hi! I would love to learn more to use in my career as a teacher eager to learn more about Autism!
nikkidoodledandy@yahoo.com

MaKenzie said...

My 11 year old daughter just began fifth grade--a grade behind her peers. Adopted from Ukraine at age 2.5 years, we were told that she just had "developmental delays" and that time would--hopefully--bridge the gap. As the years ticked on, my daughter has reached many milestones, but I truly feel she is on the autism spectrum. Most anyone familiar with autism would agree--in fact, there's a specific type of autism that I feel describes my child's behaviors: institutional autism. Regardless, because of some testing completed by a teacher that knew my child for less than 3 months, the school system does not consider her on the autism spectrum. Using the same scale, my rating showed "highly probable". I believe both her teachers and I would greatly benefit from this book. Please enter me into your drawing? We'd be honored!
Warmly,
makelena@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Hi, I have three children with autism. I would love to have this book. Please think of me to win. You can email me at isigenea@aol.com

Thanks!!!

Good luck to everyone.

Anonymous said...

HI!! I would love to entered in the Book Giveaway. We have three Kiddos and the Middle one was dx'ed on the Autism Spectrum 2yrs ago. We can use all the resources We can find to help others figure out what to do when a situation occurs that is out of the "normal" range.
Thanks so much!
Stephanie
My email is shopgirl2u2000 @ yahoo . com

Anonymous said...

Hello I would like to be entered in the contest!
ancient.historylover at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. Thank you 3tomisek@comcast.net

Christa B said...

Thank you for offering this give-away! Please enter me in the drawing. It looks like from your review that it is a great book. My email is: bburrows@centurytel.net

Christa Burrows

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