Full Description
The acclaimed approach to helping children with autism, profiled in the award-winning documentary Autism: The Musical This groundbreaking book outlines seven integrated keys for educators and parents to make meaningful connections with children on the autism spectrum. The book is based on the unique approach used by Elaine Hall and Diane Isaacs of The Miracle Project, a musical theater program for children with autism and their peers and siblings. The Miracle Project integrates traditional and creative therapies in an interactive, social dynamic. The book shows how to apply these effective strategies at school and at home to nurture kids' self-expression and social skills.
Elaine Hall and The Miracle Project were profiled in the two-time Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary, Autism: The Musical
Seven Keys reveals the seven-step program that has proven so successful for children in the Miracle Project
After reading Seven Keys teachers and parents will better understand this puzzling disorder and be able to help children with autism draw connections and form more meaningful relationships
Seven Keys to Unlock Autism offers readers strategies for creating a personal skill set to make their encounters with autistic children as successful and rewarding as possible.
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
About the Authors xi
About The Miracle Project xiii
Foreword by Stephen M. Shore xv
Introduction: It Starts with You xvii
The Seven Keys xviii
How to Use This Book xix
The Keys xx
Elaine's Story xxiii
Part One: Autism 101 1
Primer: Autism Through a Different Lens 3
A Brief History 7
Inspirational Stories 11
Autism's Alphabet Soup 13
Part Two: The Seven Keys 19
Key One Set an Intention 21
Key Two Develop Acceptance and Appreciation 37
Diane's Story of Acceptance 51
Key Three Understand Sensory Profi le 59
Key Four Follow the Leader 73
Key Five Include the Child 87
Key Six Practice and Preparation Make Progress 105
Key Seven Live Miracle Minded 121
Conclusion: Opening Doors 131
Part Three: Appendixes 135
Appendix A: The Resource Room: Tools for Using the Seven Keys 137
Primer: Leading Schools of Thought 138
Autism Organizations 139
Films 141
IDEA and IEP 142
Key One Resources 142
Key Two Resources 143
Key Three Resources 144
Key Four Resources 144
Key Five Resources 145
Key Six Resources 145
Key Seven Resources 146
Appendix B: Additional Corners of the Resource Room 149
Environmental Factors 149
Classroom Set-Up 151
Proactive Tools 153
Accommodations 157
Creating Consistency Across All Environments 160
Creating a User-Friendly System 161
Seven Keys to a Smooth IEP 164
The Greatest Untapped Resource: The Parent 167
Index 175
