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Autism, AS and related conditions newsletter - September 2009 (US edition). Go to the newsletter archive.

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JKP Autism Newsletter
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Autism, Asperger Syndrome and related conditions newsletter

Welcome to the JKP Autism newsletter, a monthly update of relevant news and events, entertaining interviews and articles.

You can find details on how to contribute or give feedback, as well as opt out of these emails, further down the newsletter.


Exclusive Interview with Linda Miller

Linda Miller

Linda Miller is the author of Practical Behaviour Management Solutions for Children and Teens with Autism: The 5P Approach published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Linda Miller is a chartered educational psychologist and chartered scientist with a specialty in autism and related disorders.


How did you first become interested in working with people with Autism Spectrum conditions?

I’ve been working in this area now for more than 25 years, and my interest began as a teacher in a special school for children with behavior difficulties. I wanted to know more about why some children were having both communication and behavioral problems, and that’s when I first found out about autism. I quickly became hooked by it, and I’ve been working with autism ever since. I progressed from being a classroom teacher to a provision head, then I became a psychologist, developed my specialty in autism, and I am now the Operations Director of the Eagle House Group which specializes in the care of children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Can you tell us more about the 5p Approach which you have developed?

The 5p Approach evolved over several years as a result of my work as a psychologist within schools. I grew increasingly concerned that I was often called in to deal with behavior difficulties after the event, when a better understanding of autism and the reasons for the behavior occurring could have prevented many problems arising in the first place. I felt we needed an approach which looked at behavior from an ASD perspective, which took account of the different types of behavior and the degree of severity, and which provided a consistent framework of intervention techniques. It was also important to establish a system of record keeping which was clear, visual and easy to use. Gradually the 5p Approach evolved, undergoing constant modification as it was used on a daily basis in schools. It is now a tried and tested, comprehensive ‘package’ which starts by addressing the nature and causes of behavioral issues and then provides a pathway leading to a solution.

How has the public perception of autism changed since you began working in the field?

When my interest in ASD began all those years ago, little was known about the nature of the condition and the reasons for the behavioral issues it gave rise to. However in recent years there has been a huge advance in the understanding of autism and in the development of ways to support children and young people with ASD. There is now much more awareness among the public, and in schools a greater recognition of what is needed for the successful placement of an ASD child. But much more still needs to be done.

What do you think is the biggest challenge faced by people with ASD today?

Overcoming others’ lack of understanding of the nature of autism and helping them to develop an understanding of the needs of individuals on the spectrum. That requires an acceptance and valuing of difference and an appreciation of what is needed to create a suitable ASD “friendly” environment. This would go a long way towards enabling those people with ASD to fully achieve their potential, gain independence and ensure their voice is heard.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spending time with my family, gardening, cooking – and reading murder mysteries!

Copyright © Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2009

Practical Behaviour Management Solutions for Children and Teens with Autism

Practical Behaviour Management Solutions for Children and Teens with Autism: The 5P Approach is released this month and is available to order. See the below link for more details.

More details of the book






JKP News

SEN magazine have published an article about transition which features pieces by JKP authors Joanne Steer, Kay Al-Ghani and Clare Lawrence.

Autism Spectrum Quarterly has published articles by JKP authors Liane Holliday Willey, Karen Levine, and Naomi Chedd in it's most recent issue.

JKP titles have been used by Max Mayer as a reference for his new film 'Adam'. JKP titles How to Find Work that Works for People with Asperger Syndrome by Gail Hawkins and Pretending to be Normal by Liane Holliday Willey have even featured in the new film!

Autism in the news - some of the articles in the media this month

The Guardian has published an article about out-of-school clubs for children with Asperger's Syndrome.

BBC News have published a report about a mother seeking more autism support.

The NAS have published a piece about the Governments Green Paper on social care reform and how it could affect those with Autism.


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Email us with your news, events or feedback at news@jkp.com or visit our website for more on our books.

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This month's author feature on Asperger Syndrome and employment by JKP author Sarah Hendrickx


Statistics show that the majority of adults with Asperger syndrome do not hold down full-time jobs and struggle finding and retaining work. However, there any also a number of people who find employment which suits their skills, minimizes their difficulties and allows them to flourish. In my research for this book, I was interested to not only highlight the areas in which people with Asperger syndrome frequently struggled, but also where they blossomed. By doing so, I hoped to be able to identify common success factors for employment for people with Asperger syndrome, which could be replicated by others. We may know what doesn’t work, but in order to move forward, we need to know what does.

The difficult areas are not always task-related, as this is a person who can be highly competent and accurate in their work, but may be related to the peripheral but inescapable aspects of employment; the journey to work, break-times, relationships, politics and social interaction. For me, this is one of the most mis-understood aspects of Asperger syndrome by many people, the understanding that just because someone is highly academically qualified, that this does not equate to an ability to deal with a customer complaint, multi-task or cope with rush hour public transport: ‘Of course, he can get on a bus, he’s got a degree’. They are not on the same scale or use the same bits of the brain.

Consequently, the people who seemed to experience the greatest success in employment were those who had found a job which wasn’t too stressful and allowed them to do something they loved – and as a general rule, didn’t involve too many people!

Copyright © Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2009

Asperger Syndrome and Employment
What People with Asperger Syndrome Really Really Want

Sarah Hendrickx is the author of Asperger Syndrome and Employment: What People with Asperger Syndrome Really Really Want.

More details of the book


Content links

JKP Autism books

Getting to Grips with Asperger Syndrome

Practical Behaviour Management Solutions for Children and Teens with Autism:
The 5P Approach
Linda Miller

Click for more details


Getting to Grips with Asperger Syndrome

Getting to Grips with Asperger Syndrome:
Understanding Adults on the Autism Spectrum
Carol Hagland

Click for more details


Working with Adults with Asperger Syndrome

Working with Adults with Asperger Syndrome
A Practical Toolkit
Carol Hagland and Zillah Webb

Click for more details


22 Things a Woman Must Know

22 Things a Woman Must Know:
If She Loves a Man with Asperger's Syndrome
Rudy Simone

Click for more details


Can the World Afford Autistic Spectrum Disorder?

Can the World Afford Autistic Spectrum Disorder?
Nonverbal Communication, Asperger Syndrome and the Interbrain
Digby Tantam

Click for more details


The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome:
Tony Attwood

Click for more details


First Steps in Intervention with Your Child with Autism

First Steps in Intervention with Your Child with Autism:
Frameworks for Communication
Phil Christie, Elizabeth Newson, Wendy Prevezer and Susie Chandler
Illustrated by Pamela Venus

Click for more details


Group Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Group Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders :
A Focus on Social Competency and Social Skills
Albert J. Cotugno

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The Imprinted Brain

The Imprinted Brain:
How Genes Set the Balance Between Autism and Psychosis
Christopher Badcock

Click for more details


Authentic Dialogue with Persons who are Developmentally Disabled

Authentic Dialogue with Persons who are Developmentally Disabled:
Sad Without Tears
Jennifer Hill

Click for more details


Useful Dates for your Calendar

What Where When Link
Growing Up with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder Conference University of Surrey, Guildford Saturday 3rd October, 10.00am - 4.30pm Conference info
CHADD Cleveland, Ohio 9th-10th October 2009 Conference info
Whole Health Learning for Autism and Related Disorders, International Conference 2009 LVS Ascot, London Road, Ascot, Berkshire Weekend Conference: 23rd, 24th, 25th October 2009 Conference info
Autism One & Autism Canada Conference Toronto, Ontario October 31-November 1, 2009 Conference info
National Autism Conference Weston, Florida November 12-15, 2009 Conference info
Autism Awareness Centre and the Linwood School Conference Bournemouth, UK 23rd-24th November 2009 Conference info
OCALI Conference and Exposition Columbus, Ohio November 17-19, 2009 Conference info

Email us with your news, events or feedback at news@jkp.com or visit our website for more on our books.

Please feel free to forward this message on to anyone who might be interested, or want to join our mailing list.