Publications

Learning the R.O.P.E.S. for Improved Executive Function
By:  Patricia Schetter, MA

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NEWLY REVISED Including a CD! This valuable user-friendly book has been a great resource to both professionals and parents since 2004 and now offers even more. Learning the R.O.P.E.S. for Improved Executive Function has a new look, size, and CD which includes all the forms and assessment tool to fully implements the strategies. The book continues to provide the reader with the same great content including: an understanding of executive dysfunction in children with high functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome, as well as addressing the behavior excesses and deficits typically associated with these disorders; step by step instruction on teaching the skills necessary for overcoming many deficits of executive functioning deficits including: recall, organization and planning, prioritizing and goals setting, evaluation and critical thinking skills, and self management; and how to provide the necessary structure and support while these skills are being acquired. The book is still full of useful worksheets and graphic organizers, that are uniquely designed to capitalize on the visual strengths of children with high functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome to assist them in learning how to "think through" complex situations using these visual maps and structures as their guide. Many case studies cited provide the reader with "real life" examples of the successful implementation of the strategies presented from primary grades through adulthood. Educators have commented that the strategies are also very helpful to learners who have ADD, ADHD, learning disabilities, and the typical student who struggles with organization.

For those who already own this Learning the R.O.P.E.S. for Improved Executive Function the CD may be purchased separately. See the Products section of this website.

Cost:  $45.00 + shipping and handling

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School Participation Checklist:  A Tool for Measuring Basic Student Classroom Behavior
By:  Kandis Lighthall M.A.

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NEWLY REVISED Including a CD! This useful tool provides educators with the ability to assess student classroom behaviors required of any student in a general education setting. It allows the I.E.P. team to identify specific areas and behaviors requiring support and intervention in order for the student with special needs to have a successful inclusive experience. By comparing the student with special needs to another "average" student (matched for gender and age), who being educated in the general education setting, the I.E.P. team is better able to compare the student's specialized needs to those of the other students in the classroom. Often times IEP team members become more accepting of a student's needs when they see that "typical learners" exhibit some of the same needs and behaviors as the student with special needs. As a result, many are often more willing to implement classroom wide strategies of support that will affect all learners.

The School Participation Checklist can also be used to track ongoing progress over the year and to assess behaviors in a variety of settings. This tool may be used with any student, preschool through twelfth grade, who is included in or being considered for inclusion in a general education setting. The new CD provides all the forms necessary to complete a full assessment in two reproducible formats. All forms may be printed out and completed by hand or be completed in a simple fill-in format that even does the math.

Those who own the School Participation Checklist may buy the CD separately. See the Products Section of the website.

Cost:  $20.00 + shipping and handling

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What Makes School Great?  FRIENDS!  Activities to Build Autism Awareness and Develop Friendships
By:  Kandis Lighthall M.A.
Revised and Expanded 6/08

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NEWLY REVISED! Peer awareness and support are evidence based strategies for promoting pro-social behavior in students with ASD. This resource began as a small manual that provided educators with a tried and true strategy for increasing peer awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorders. The manual has been revised and grown into a book that not only provides a framework for peers to develop plans for supporting their classmate with ASD, but also many other new ideas and activities for learning the student's strengths and interests which provides a foundation for friendship. The revised manual What Makes School Great? FRIENDS! is appropriate for use by staff working with students from preschool through high school. The manual offers a reproducible planning form, is loaded with many case examples for every activity and age group, plus ideas for teachers and parents to make their own personalized awareness books.

Cost:  $15.00 + shipping and handling

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I Have A Friend With Autism:  Activity Book
Developed By:  Kandis Lighthall

This activity book is designed to allow young children (kindergarten – 3rd grades) to learn about autism through written language and art (drawing and coloring). The activity book is a guided story which structures input from the children about their classmate with an autism spectrum disorder. The activity book helps the students begin to recognize common strengths and interests, as well as, ways they can support their friend with autism in areas that are difficult. At the conclusion of the guided story each student becomes the author and illustrator of their own book about their friend with autism. This book may accompany the What Makes School Great? FRIENDS! activity or can stand alone as a meaningful way to increase peer awareness and support.

Cost:  $1.50 + shipping and handling

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Autism Program Development and Review Protocol (APDAR protocol)
By:  Patricia Schetter, MA

This resource provides a step by step guideline for effectively setting up, monitoring and evaluating your autism program.  Based on the recommendations of the National Research Council (2001) and the collaborative workgroup of key stakeholders in the state of California (Best Practices, 1997), this protocol provides a way of determining program strengths and needs and a way to measure program outcomes.  An invaluable resource for Program Specialists, Administrators and Teachers or anyone in a position of monitoring program quality indicators and outcomes.

Cost:  $25.00 + shipping and handling

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R.E.A.D.Y. for Inclusion
By:  Kandis Lighthall, MA

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NEWLY REVISED Including a CD! Successful inclusive education does not occur just because a student is placed in a general education classroom with typical peers. Success in an inclusive placement requires through preparation and on-going support. The ideas presented in this book are based on the author's career long experience implementing inclusive education, and her knowledge and understanding of ASD. This resource provides an educational team with all of the necessary components to assess and implement an effective inclusive educational program. The manual provides a step by step process for assessing and implementing successful inclusive education for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Informal assessment tools are included to evaluate student behavior, the learning environment, and necessary levels of staffing support. The book also includes suggestions for appropriate accommodations, modifications, as well as peer awareness and training strategies.

The revision of READY for Inclusion expanded the manual to include a chapter designed to assist a school or district in developing a shared vision of inclusive education and create an action plan to support staff through professional development training. Each chapter has an extensive reference list to support the reader in expanding their knowledge. All the forms discussed in every chapter are included in a CD and may be reproduced for educational use. Those who own READY for Inclusion may buy the CD separately. See the Products Section of the website.

Cost:  $45.00 + shipping and handling

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White Board Words and Thoughts Idea Booklet
By:  Patricia Schetter and Kandis Lighthall

Front

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This NEW publication provides educators and parents with ideas for making transient words and hidden thoughts visual, concrete, and 3-diemnsional for individuals with ASD. The authors present many, easy to implement, methods using specially designed white boards to teach requesting, commenting, feelings, and perspective taking. The reader will find activities for every age group from primary grades through high school.

This booklet may be purchased alone or as part of the White Board Words and Thoughts Deluxe Kit which also includes the three specially designed white boards and other extras to use these strategies. See the Products Section of the website for more details on the Deluxe Kit.

Cost:  $5.00 + shipping and handling

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