Award-Winning Book on Autism Available for CEU Credits

The award-winning book, A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Schools, is now available as a CEU course from Ce-Classes.com. Ce-Classes.com provides a wide array of CEU courses including some specially developed courses to meet specific state re-licensing requirements. CEU courses and Live Seminars are approved for psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, nurses, therapists and other health care professionals to receive CEU Credits by national and state boards.

Course details are available at:  http://bit.ly/MWyRes

Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Schools: A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention provides school psychologists, support professionals, and parents with a step-by-step guide to screening, assessment, and intervention for children with this complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Written by Dr. Lee A. Wilkinson, a practicing school psychologist with extensive experience in the assessment of ASD, this authoritative, yet accessible book fills a critical void in the practice literature. Grounded in the latest research, special features include illustrative case examples and an index to 50 evidence-based best practice recommendations.

The book consists of seven chapters. Chapter 1 begins with the two case vignettes and a discussion of the challenges facing educators. The reader is then provided with an overview of Asperger syndrome and the autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Chapter 2 focuses on the screening and identification of children in need of further assessment. Instruments are reviewed and a multi-step screening process described. Chapter 3 addresses evidence-based assessment practices, including individual instruments and a developmentally-based procedure. In Chapter 4, the case examples are presented to illustrate best practice in the assessment of ASD. Chapter 5 focuses on intervention practices and describes current scientifically-based interventions and treatments for ASD. Chapter 6 provides information on the identification of special educational needs and specialized services. Chapter 7 concludes with a discussion of the current status of the field and future directions for research.

Autism Spectrum Quarterly calls the book “a landmark contribution destined to become a classic in the field of autism spectrum disorders” and comments, “Dr. Wilkinson has made an enormous contribution to the field by comprehensively and systematically illuminating not only what needs to be done, but also how to go about doing it. The book is exquisitely and meticulously organized, making it an easy-to-access reference guide as well as a comprehensive text book and training manual."

The Canadian Journal of School Psychology remarks, "Overall, this book presents readers with an excellent overview of autism and Asperger syndrome. The author has expertly formatted the book and each chapter so that the reader is provided with an excellent resource of recent and relevant information pertaining to screening, formal assessment, and interventions with individuals in this population. The use of two case studies helps to highlight some of the information presented throughout the book. Many school-based professionals will be able to make use of this excellent resource".

According to the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders "This book provides a complete source for parents, educators, researchers and clinicians seeking information related to assessment and interventions available for individuals (mostly children) diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The main reason the book stands out is the application of all the discussed concepts in the two case examples of Jeremy and Sally. Dr. Wilkinson presents a detail and person-centered approach to the stages and issues that needs to be addressed while conducting an assessment and planning interventions for individuals diagnosed with ASD. Educators and clinicians can make use of the detailed case examples as those may be applicable to their work environment."

Dr. Wilkinson’s book was named the Winner in the Education/Academic category of the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and honored as an Award-Winning Finalist in the Education/Academic category of the "Best Books 2010 Awards” sponsored by USA Book News.

A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Schools is available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers, ISBN: 978-1-84905-811-7 and can be ordered directly from the publisher at http://www.jkp.com/ and all major booksellers, including http://www.amazon.com. Dr. Wilkinson is also the editor of a recent volume in the APA School Psychology Book Series, Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Evidence-Based Assessment and Intervention in Schools and author of the new book, Overcoming Anxiety and Depression on the Autism Spectrum: A Self-Help Guide Using CBT.