Product Description
Like other twice-exceptional children, gifted children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are sometimes forced to choose between addressing the concerns of one exceptionality over another, but this is occurring less and less as dedicated teachers and informed parents collaborate to create environments and programming that supports the child’s individual profile of abilities. Gifted Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders describes instructional and behavior manage… More >>
Gifted Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Tags: autism, autism spectrum disorders, children, children with autism, children with autism spectrum disorders, Disorders, environments, exceptionality, gifted, gifted children, parents, Spectrum
#1 by Annoyed on February 22, 2010 - 8:46 am
This very slim volume (I read it in 30 minutes) is a guide for supporting kids with ASD in a general education classroom. Although the word “gifted” is used over and over again, there is very little actual information about the “gifts” that often come with ASD. In fact, the book dwells mostly on what ASD kids can’t do rather than what they can do. At least twice the book mentions that a school’s gifted program may not be right for some gifted kids with ASD. I would have preferred the book describe ways in which a gifted child with ASD could be included in a school’s gifted program, or otherwise supported in school for his giftedness, not just his ASD.
If it were my book, I’d create a new edition to include an entire chapter for G/T teachers, explaining what “twice exceptional” means, and why kids with ASD should be allowed to participate in gifted programs in school. Some gifted teachers incorrectly believe that gifted kids with ASD simply have one or two specific areas of interest, and do not or cannot actually expand on this. In that way, some G/T teacher believe that ASD kids are not truly gifted. This book does nothing to correct this misconception.
Overall this is a quick read for a general ed teacher who will have an ASD student in his/her class, and who has very little understanding of autism in the classroom. Very basic information, but probably helpful for someone who knows little or nothing on the subject. This book is of little help, though, if you’re looking for ways for a gifted ASD child to be accommodated in a school’s G/T program.
Rating: 3 / 5
#2 by Deborah F. Miller on February 22, 2010 - 9:09 am
This book is the latest in a series of books offered through Prufrock Press’ Practical Strategies in Autism Education. Gifted Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is a guide for teachers, parents, and others who are interested in learning about the unique needs and concerns involved with the twice-exceptional child who is identified as a gifted child with autism spectrum disorder. Two critical issues discussed by the authors are that autism spectrum disorders are considered one of the most rapidly growing disabilities in America and that “gifted children with autism spectrum disorders are sometimes forced to choose between addressing the concerns of one exceptionality over another” (Karnes & Stephens, 2009, p. 4). Since there is extremely limited research regarding these unique twice-exceptional children, the reader will be particularly interested to find information from a comparative study of children with autistic spectrum disorders and giftedness, children with only autistic spectrum disorder, and other types of twice-exceptional children.
This book is organized in a manner that walks the reader through the process from assessment, educational strategies and interventions, on to educational placement decisions. Along the way very specific strategies and examples are discussed regarding such topics as sensory integration problems, social skills, social communication, stress management, and peer inclusion. The author outlines the similarities between these twice-exceptional children and gifted children without autism spectrum disorders, while giving teachers and parents specific examples and recommendations on how to deal with their unique needs. The author also includes sample charts, checklists, and sample lesson plans that help to more specifically and visually outline how to meet the individual needs of these children.
Although this book is brief in nature the reader with find its contents very worthy. It is filled with valuable information that focuses on a current educational issue that is and will continue to be demanding of attention in school districts across the nation. The goal the authors set out to achieve with this book was to give detailed explanatory information on the unique needs of these twice-exceptional children, while providing helpful techniques and strategies for teachers and parents to assist these children in becoming as successful as possible in all aspects of life. This reader believes that they met their goal and can only hope that more books on this subject will follow.
Rating: 5 / 5