Wendy Lawson

The Passionate Mind (eBook, ePUB)

How People with Autism Learn
Illustrator: Simone, Lisa

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In her new book, Wendy Lawson examines traditional theories about the autism spectrum (AS) and reveals their gaps and shortcomings. Showing that a completely different way of thinking about AS is needed, she sets forward the theory of Single Attention and Associated Cognition in Autism (SAACA), an approach that explains autism in terms of the unique learning style of AS individuals.

The SAACA approach suggests that whereas neurotypical people can easily shift their attention from one task to another, those on the autism spectrum tend to use just one sense at a time, leading to a deep, intense attention. From the perspective of this new approach, Wendy describes practical outcomes for individuals, families, and places of education and employment, and shows that when the unique learning style of AS is understood, valued, and accommodated, AS individuals can be empowered to achieve their fullest potential.

This is a fascinating read for anyone with a personal or professional interest in the autism spectrum, including clinical practitioners, educators, researchers, individuals on the spectrum and their families, teachers, occupational therapists, and other professionals.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Seitenzahl: 224
• Erscheinungstermin: 15. März 2011
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9780857003133
• Artikelnr.: 38400353

Autorenporträt

Dr. Wendy Lawson, a psychologist, qualified counsellor and social worker has operated her own private practice for many years. Wendy was awarded fourth place as 'Victorian Australian of the year' in 2008. Originally diagnosed as being intellectually disabled, then in her teens as being schizophrenic, and finally in 1994, Wendy was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. The mother of four children, Wendy has been married, separated and divorced, has experienced the death of one of her teenage sons, lost friends and status due to being openly gay, faced ill health and recently is coming to terms with the fact that she is aging! Wendy's youngest son is also on the autism spectrum.

Inhaltsangabe

Acknowledgements. Foreword by Professor Rita Jordan. 1.Introduction. The
reasons for writing this book. The power of words. Brain configuration.
What to expect in this text. The role of attention and interest. 2. The
Autism Spectrum: Where we are we now?. Introduction. What does autism
spectrum look like? Gender. Autism spectrum strengths. Learning style.
Sensory differences. 3. Cognitive theories of autism spectrum.
Introduction. Cognition and cognitive theory. Considering theory in autism
spectrum. Attention and interest. 4. Cognitive theory: Theory of mind.
Introduction. Definition. Foundations for theory of mind. Components of
theory of mind. Application to child development. Development of theory of
mind. Difficulties with a rigid view of theory of mind development. The
most noted test of theory of mind. Theory of mind research over time.
Questions concerning theory of mind theory. Other potential questions.
Summary. 5. Cognitive theory: Executive functioning. Introduction.
Definition. Foundations for executive functioning. Components of executive
functioning. Application to child development. Development of executive
functioning. Research over time. Executive functioning and theory of mind.
Questions concerning executive functioning and the autism spectrum. Other
questions and limitations. Summary. 6. Cognitive theory: Weak central
coherence. Introduction. Definition. Foundations for weak central coherence
theory . Components of weak central coherence theory. Application in the
neurotypical and autism spectrum population. Research over time.
Limitations of weak central coherence theory. Summary. 7. Cognitive theory:
Enhanced perceptual functioning. Introduction. Definition. Foundations for
enhanced perceptual functioning theory. Components of enhanced perceptual
functioning. Research over time. Comparison with other cognitive theories.
Limitations of enhanced perceptual functioning theory. Summary. 8. An
alternative cognitive theory: single attention and associated cognition in
autism. Introduction. Definitions. Monotropism as a foundation for SAACA.
Attention. Attention and Brain Configuration. Monotropism and the sensory
system. Monotropism and interest. Attention, motivation and interest. Triad
of impairments or product of monotropic attention? Processing style.
Monotropism and learning style. Complex cognitive skills coupled with
interest and attention. Cognitive components of SAACA. Monotropism and
literality. Monotropism and thinking in closed concepts. Monotropism:
context and scale. Monotropism: timing, sequencing and predicting.
Monotropism and non social priorities. Summary. 9. The relevance of SAACA.
Introduction. Everyday experiences for autism spectrum individuals. When
things change. The concept of time. SAACA's explanation of why autism
spectrum and neurotypical perception are different. Case studies. Autism
spectrum comprehension. Problems with autism spectrum comprehension. (if
using a neurotypical lens). What might it mean when an expectation is not
fulfilled? Problem solving ideas using SAACA. Tom's story - An extended
case study. Why does Tom have difficulties? Can we help Tom cope with
change? When and how do we execute an intervention for Tom? What about
generalising Tom's learning? Reasoning behind using IT, visuals and
structure. Neurotypical parenting. Summary. 10. Looking to the future. A
different learning style. Completing tasks. Normality. It's in everyone's
interest. Experiments to refute or support SAACA. Limitations of SAACA.
List of publications. References. Appendix A. Appendix B. Appendix C.
Appendix D. Appendix E. Index.