Dr. Heather MacKenzie

Reaching and Teaching Children with Special Needs

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The Autistic Child’s Guide to How to Behave

The Autistic Child’s Guide to How to Behave

Introducing spark*: Self-Regulation Program for Awareness and Resilience in Kids

Heather MacKenzie

Paperback (perfect bound): $39.95

2010, 21.6 cm x 27.9 cm /8.5 in x 11 in, 425 pp

ISBN: 978-0-9684466-4-5

Publisher

Wired Fox Publications

The Autistic Child’s Guide to How to Behave introduces spark*, the Self-Regulation Program of Awareness and Resilience in Kids. spark* is an innovative program for teaching self-regulation of behavior, thinking and emotions to young children on the autism spectrum as well as other developmental disabilities such as fetal alcohol and fragile X. This book is for teachers, speech-language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and others interested in helping children optimize their abilities. This child-centered program can be done in individual or group settings.

Based on well-researched theory and extensive clinical experience, the ground-breaking spark*program includes 69 step-by-step lessons for helping the child move from imitation of easy actions through to self-direction and self-control of behavior, thinking and emotions. spark* is a comprehensive, practical and systematic, covering details from pre-assessment through lesson implementation to evaluation of progress. It provides all information and resources needed to run the program successfully. spark* includes detailed lesson focus and goals, materials needed (many are included in the appendices along with reproducible forms), how to structure and introduce the lesson and then practice the skills as well as ways to prompt and solidify learning. Collaboration with families is encouraged throughout; 18 parent newsletters are included which describe what the child is working on and how the family can help support and extend his self-regulation skills. Certificates of completion for each of the three units, declaring “I have spark*”, are provided to help the children celebrate their accomplishments.

Unique features of spark*:

  • Focuses on three important areas of self-regulation: behavioral, cognitive and emotional.
  • Presents enjoyable activities that help each child progress from awareness of simple motor acts to cognitive and emotional self-regulation. Strategies learned in behavioral self-regulation serve as a foundation for other areas.
  • Emphasizes developing resilience and self-advocacy skills in the children so that they can remain self-regulated even in stressful or disruptive situations.
  • Explicitly teaches generalization of each self-regulation skill.
  • Is based on current neurological research and works to enhance attention and executive functioning.
  • Is suitable for preschool-aged children and/or those with lower language or cognitive levels.

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See a sample spark* lesson - follow this link

Excerpt from The Autistic Child’s Guide to How to Behave - follow this link.

For those who already bought The Autistic Child’s Guide to How to Behave, Pre-Assessment and Assessment of Progress forms are available on the Resources page for you to copy and use. Also, each week, we will be adding the spark* Parent Newsletters to the Resources page.

Reviews of The Autistic Child’s Guide:

See what Chris Barson from Positive About Autism™ had to say (link).

The spark* program is an invaluable tool for a busy clinician. The spark* lessons are brilliant!!!! Thorough, clearly outlined, comprehensive in instructions and cueing and easy to follow.

- Carmen Hengeveld, M. S.L.P., R.SLP, S-LP(C), Registered Speech-Language Pathologist, Calgary, Alberta

The spark* model is clearly described – all the way from research-based rationale to step-by-step instructions in the lesson plans. I’d be feeling hopeful and eager to implement these ideas and see what a difference spark* could make in helping my child reach her potential!

- Teeya Scholten, Ph.D., Registered Psychologist, Calgary, Alberta

spark* is a refreshing alternative to more strictly behavioral teaching and treats children with ASC with more respect giving them an opportunity to blossom.

- Karen, Duff, M.A., Speech-Language Pathologist, Victoria, B.C.

I think many parents of children with ASC will find spark* to be life-changing for them.

- Janine Montgomery, Ph.D., Educator, Winnipeg, Manitoba

In order for a child to gain success in life and reach his/her full potential, the whole child needs to be educated. spark* does an excellent job of addressing the child’s needs related to cognitive, behavioral and emotional self-regulation. The lessons are well-planned and well-organized. Educators and support staff will find the lessons very user-friendly.

- Laureen Schellenberg, Special Education Resource Teacher, Winnipeg, Manitoba

spark* is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to teaching the metacognitive skills necessary for self-directed learning and social interaction. It breaks down higher level complex cognitive processes into measurable and achievable increments. spark* trains the independent use and transfer of skills to meaningful contexts at home, at school and in the community. It empowers children with autism to participate more functionally in a variety of daily life situations.

- Susan Greaves, M.A., Speech-Language Pathologist, Edmonton, Alberta

spark* is easily usable by teachers and other professionals. All the material needed to use the program is included. The program always emphasizes praising the child and keeping families involved. This book has condensed an amazing amount of resource material into one very usable book.

- Susan Deike, B.A., B.A. (Journalism), Communication Specialist, Calgary, Alberta

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ATTENTION spark* users: Now that all of the spark* forms and parent newsletters are online in our Resources section, we want to know what can help you most in using our program successfully. Take just a few minutes to complete a short 8-item survey so we can learn more about your needs and experiences. Just follow this link.