Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
Autism & Asperger's |The Way I See It
Temple Grandin is an internationally respected specialist in designing livestock handling systems, and is the most noted high-functioning person with autism in the world today. She is a tireless speaker worldwide on autism issues, and is th
e author of numerous books on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.
The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships, coauthored with Sean Barron and Veronica Zysk, captured a prestigious Silver Award in the 2006 ForeWord magazine Book of the Year competition.
Her previous book, Animals in Translation (2004) was on the New York Times Bestseller list.
In late 2008 Temple released The Way I See It, a compilation of over 50 of her Digest articles, coupled with new insights she offers about autism and her life. The book was a finalist in the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Awards competition, in the Psychology category. Last year it won a Silver award in the Psychology/Mental Health category in the coveted IPPY Awards (Independent Book Publisher) and was also a finalist in the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards competition (Psychology category, 1 of 5 finalists). Both programs recognize the literary achievements of independent publishers and their authors. Finalists are hand-picked by top practitioners in their field among thousands of entries.
The long awaited movie, Temple Grandin, debuted on HBO February 6, 2010. Directed by Mick Jackson (Live from Baghdad), Claire Daines plays the role of Temple Grandin.
Read more about Temple at www.templegrandin.com
Lindsey Biel, OTR/L
Sensory | Sensory Smarts
Lindsey Biel, M.A., OTR/L is an occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics and the coauthor of Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues. Through her private practice in Manhattan and her work with the NY State early intervention program, she evaluates and treats infants, toddlers, and older children with a variety of diagnoses including sensory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and developmental delays.
Read the AADigest’s special interview with Lindsey! In it she talks about working with sensory sensitive kids with ASD, gives pointers to parents and educators, and talks about the latest edition of her fabulous book. Read the interview here.
Visit her website for lots of great sensory information - even in Spanish! www.sensorysmarts.com
Marge Blanc, M.A., CCC-SLP
Communication | More than Words
Marge Blanc founded the Communication Development Center in Madison, WI ten years ago. Specializing in physically-supported speech and language services for children with ASD, the Center has successfully helped scores of children as they moved through the stages of language acquisition. Marge breaks down the complicated aspects of speech, language and communication into reader-friendly ideas and take-home strategies in every AADigest column.
Read more about Marge and her therapy center at www.communicationdevelopmentcenter.com
Donna Gates
Biodynamics | Healing from Within
Donna Gates, creator of The Body Ecology Way of life and BEDROK (Body Ecology Diet Recovering Our Kids) has a passion for helping parents find dietary ways to help their children in their journey to recover from autism.
A nutritional consultant, author and lecturer, she has helped thousands of people overcome candidiasis and other immune system disorders. Her book, The Body Ecology Diet, was written after years of research to find a cure for her own candida-related health problems. Frustrated with conventional medicine, she embarked on a long course of study into many different healing concepts, including ancient Chinese medicine, macrobiotics, natural hygiene, raw foods and mega-supplement therapy. Incorporating the most beneficial components of each concept into her own system of health and healing, her success inspired her to share it with others.
Much more than a "diet" Body Ecology offers a constantly expanding body of knowledge that focuses on the benefits of establishing and maintaining an inner ecosystem.
Learn more at the Body Ecology website: www.bodyecologydiet.com
Jim Ball, Ed.D., BCBA
Early Intervention | Building for the Future
Dr. Jim Ball, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), has been working in the field of autism for 20+ years in a variety of public and private settings, providing educational, employment and residential services for children and adults with ASD. He is the author of the book, Early Intervention & Autism: Real-Life Questions, Real-Life Answers (Future Horizons, 2008) and numerous published articles addressing behavior, social skills, early intervention, trauma and employment.
Jim’ book, Early Intervention & Autism: Real-life Questions, Real-life Answers, is a finalist (1 of 10, Education category) in the ForeWord Book of the Year awards competition. A jury of readers, librarians and booksellers judge entrees based on editorial excellence, professional production, originality of the narrative, author credentials relative to the book, and the value the book adds to its genre. Being named a finalist is an honor in itself. The book also just captured a 2009 Gold Award in the Parenting category in the Independent Publisher Book Awards program.
And, the awards just kept coming! It also nabbed a NAPPA Gold Award in the 2009 competition – NAPPA’s highest honor! The National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) is the "go-to" source for parents and professionals looking for the best children’s products and resources for parents.
Book Synopsis: In an easy-to-read, question-answer format, Dr. Jim explains what makes children with autism tick, how to get the most out of early intervention services, and how to choose the most effective treatment options. Helpful features include: 10 Common Myths about Children with ASD, 7 Effective Teaching Strategies, 10 Behavior Rules to Live By, and Must-have EI Goals and Objectives for Children with ASD. No matter what your level of “autism expertise,” this is a game plan to start working with children with autism.
Read more about Jim at his website: www.jbautismconsulting.com
Michelle McConnell
Parent to Parent | The Sweet Spot
Michelle and her husband Eric live near Charlotte, NC with their four children. She loves long hikes, vanilla lattes, an open sunroof and laughing out loud. Parenting an 11-year-old diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome is teaching her that life’s “sweet spot” exists somewhere between being fully present in the moment and focusing on the horizon ahead.
Nick Dubin, Psy.D.
Adult Issues | Navigating Toward Success
Nick Dubin has a doctoral degree in psychology and a master's degree in learning disabilities. He was diagnosed with Asperger's in 2004 and is passionate advocate in the field.
Nick has written two books, both published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers: Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety (2009) and Asperger Syndrome and Bullying (2007).
Learn more at his website: www.aspergerwisdom.com.
Jean Duane, the Alternative Cook, offers GFCF cooking instruction on DVD, video stream and in her latest cookbook, Bake Deliciously Gluten and Casein Free. She emphasizes cooking with whole ingredients that are gluten and casein free, low fat and low cholesterol.
Jean contributes a delicious and nutritious GFCF recipe in every issue.
Learn more about Jean at her website: www.alternativecook.com
Sandi Busch is a freelance writer and mother of a son with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Sandi frequently contributes articles, and shares reviews of books and products in our Bookshelf section of the magazine.
*What’s a Newsbite? Check out samples here on the Digest site.