MSI Press Blog

As autism awareness month winds down, for relatives and teachers of children with autism, as well as those who work with them, we have collected a list of blogs that might be helpful. Here is the list, with links (we have checked them, but if you find some that do not work, please do let us know).  Some of these blogs identify other blogs, so search, search! If you have a blog related to autism not mentioned here, send the URL to editor@msipress.com, and we will add it to the list below. Age of Autism Atypical Familia, with resources Autism Adventures Autism Site Blog Autism Speaks Autism with a Side of Fries : Living the Life with a Son on the spectrum, who proves that a side of fries makes anything better Autistic Mama : Parenting an autistic child? She can help! Awesomism Mom Bacon and Juice Boxes Embracing Imperfect Faith, Hope, and Love...with Austism Finding Coopers's Voice: The Secret World of Autism Friendship Circle Full Spectrum Ma

  Excerpt from Choice and Structure for Children with Autism (McNeil) -  Chapter 1 Introduction Choice & Structure for Children with Autism is about identifying and celebrating the role of structure in supporting autistic children. We want children with autism to do more than exist—not just live, but confidently engage in home life. We desire for them to do more than survive. We hold out hope that they grow to the best of their individual potentials. Research and experience have shown autism advocates that structure is a great tool to that end. Children with autism absolutely thrive within high levels of structure. In the following chapters, I hope to show how that structure does not need to be rigid, overbearing, or difficult.   Many Long Days at Home Our regular routines of school and work during the week and predictable weekend activities help all of us maintain balance. We know the schedule, we plan for the expectations, and we live these routines comfortably. What happens wh

Communication No running, No jumping, No talking, No shoes – No shirt – No service.   Speaking in this style of negative phrasing is as common and ingrained as answering the telephone with “Hello.”   To the majority of society, the message is direct, concise, and typically easily understood.    Unfortunately, children with autism struggle with deciphering statements requesting the negation of an action. While it is not impossible for these children to learn some regularly used negative statements, it takes more effort and exposure to the exact phrasing to produce understanding. If we look carefully at the information provided by current researchers and practitioners of autism we could pinpoint some of the children’s receptive communication difficulties.   Autism causes deficits to varying degrees in the ability to understand verbal sounds and attach meaning to them.    Further, if the children do understand the individual spoken words, they may not be able to full

  excerpt from Choice and Structure for Children with Autism COMPREHENSION AND COMMUNICATION   Cues: Children with autism need clear and predictable cues to help them know what to do, when to do things, where to go, or what to get. Basically, they need cues to assist their comprehension of your requests. You may or may not be aware of it, but you are already using predictable cues with your children to let them know what expectations you have. A cue is anything that is done, said, shown, or positioned to signal an expectation to act, refrain from acting, or indicate that there will be upcoming information. A cue can be as obvious as standing in front of your child with a ball and asking, “Do you want to play basketball?” A cue can also be as subtle as raising an eyebrow and taking a deep breath before answering a request for another chocolate bar. With this breath, most children already know the answer is, “No.” Children with autism, by nature of the diagnosis, do not pick up on su

Colette McNeil published a helpful article on apps and other tools for parents of children with autism in the September issue of Autism Parenting Magazine . The title is "Personal Communication Supports for Nonverbal Children with Autism." The article focuses on specific tools and support for communicating with nonverbal children. To ready the article, you will need to subscribe to Autism Parenting Magazine , but if you have a child with autism (or are a teacher of one), it should be worth it. Colette is the author of two books on autism that have been published by MSI Press.  For more information about this book, click HERE . For more information about this book, click HERE . For more posts on Colette, click HERE . For more posts on autism, click HERE .

Written by Colette McNeil to help parents of children with autism through the shelter-at-home days of the ongoing pandemic, this little book is eye-opening and helpful for any day at home with a child with autism. Bound to inspire with new ways of interaction with positive ioutcomes. Colette has many years of experience as a teacher of children with autism and as an aunt of a child with autism. She knows whereof she writes. Check out her other book on autism, Understanding the Challenge of "No" for Children with Autism . See posts by and about Colette and her books HERE .

Why this image? Because when you have a child with autism or any special needs, it is like looking upon a field of bluebonnets and seeing one bright, waving, yellow rose standing within and apart from the sea of blue at the same time. Today's story is about one such yellow rose, Sean Cunningham, shared here from a newspaper article written at the time of Sean's graduation from college. I, the managing editor of MSI Press, know this story to be true because as a child, Sean attended school with my son, came to our house for play dates, and stayed in touch over the years. His achievement may be considered remarkable, but it does point to possibilities by other young adults with autism. And here is the story: An Autistic Student Makes History http://www.wusa9news.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=39706 Sean Sokler has full spectrum autism. He uses a machine to communicate, twists his shirt incessantly, and often stares off into space. But inside the nervous exter

  Colette McNeil Colette McNeil aspires to develop confidence in individuals with autism by expanding the perspectives of their parents, families, teachers, and caregivers. Experience: Colette McNeil has worked with children and adults with disabilities for 30 years.  She spent 20 of those years teaching students with autism and related disorders ages 3-22. Additionally, Colette has a close relationship with her nephew with autism who is in his 20’s Education: Ms. McNeil holds a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology. Further, she is a prolific reader of Positive Psychology literature and embeds her learning into her daily interactions and coaching-consultation practices. Business: Through her business  Shared Perspectives Support , Colette McNeil provides private coaching-consultation services to families struggling with Autism and developmental disorders in the Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties of California, USA.\  Colette has published two books with MSI Press: Understanding