Exclusive Interview with Linda Woodcock
Linda Woodcock is the co-author author of the title Managing Family Meltdown:
The Low Arousal Approach and Autism published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Linda Woodcock is the National Lead on Parent and Family Training for The Studio III Group, an organization specializing in non-aversive behaviour management. Linda also has a son on the autism spectrum with challenging behaviours.
As a parent of a child with autism, what do you think are the main challenges faced by parents with children on the spectrum?
There are so many challenges, first of all coming to terms with the diagnosis, we often spend so much time and energy trying to get news that we really don't want to hear and then we wish we could put back the clock as when the diagnosis is given our lives change forever. The next stage is wading throught the complexity of what autism is and how it affects our children, (this is a continuous process) We are then expected to become experts in the education, social care and benefits system and so the fight begins. Looking back now I am able to see the positives but in the early years life was just one long rollercoaster ride and all we could do was hold on tight!!
Your new book is based upon the “the low arousal approach” can you please tell us a bit about this approach and how it can help to manage meltdowns?
The low arousal approach is based on three assumptions firstly that most individuals who are distressed are extremely aroused at the time, therefore we should avoid doing anything to make it worse. Secondly, a large proportion of distressed behaviours are usually preceded by demands or requests and we should therefore reduce these as much as possible and finally most communication is non verbal and so we should be aware of the signals we communcate to our children when they (and us) are upset.
Can you tell us about your work with the Studio III group and the work they do?
Studio 3 is a training and clinical service, which was founded 15 years ago by our Director Dr Andy McDonnell, Clincial Psychologist. We offer training to staff and families in Positive Behaviour Management, we also work with individuals who challenge services and offer Psychological assessments and help staff to devise support plans using the low arousal approach. We are based in the UK but work in many other countries including Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and South Africa.
How do you think the public perception of autism has changed over the last ten years?
The public perception of autism has changed greatly over the last ten years, with more children accessing mainstream education they have become more visible, and autism is no longer percieved to be just about the isolated self absorbed silent child, however I don't think their general understanding has greatly increased. Any parent will tell you that a large part of their energy is spent on educating the public, teachers, medical professionals and wider family about their child and their needs.
What are you currently reading in your spare time?
Well I have just finished The Time Travellers Wife which was beautiful, but as I am about to start the second year of my Masters degree I will be reading the rather large text book which has just been delivered to my door! Colin Robson, Real World Research. I don't expect I'll have time for any light reading this year.
Copyright © Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2010
Managing Family Meltdown
The Low Arousal Approach and Autism is available to order. See the below link for more details.
More details of the book
JKP News
February 18th is International Asperger Day, and we are pleased to announce that JKP authors Tony Attwood and Kathy Hoopmann have been chosen as the guest speakers at the 2010 International Asperger Day Conference in Brisbane, Australia. This event is organised by Asperger Services Australia to celebrate the birth of Hans Asperger (1906-1980), who published the first definition of Asperger syndrome in 1944. 'IAD is a wonderful time to celebrate the unique individuals we are privileged to have in our communities,' says Hoopmann. 'The world would be a much blander place without the insight Aspies bring into our lives.'
Autism in the news - some of the articles in the media this month
The Times has published a story about about autism and Asperger's Syndrome being underdiagnosed in women.
The NAS has featured a piece on Picturehouse Cinemas holding autism-friendly film screenings.
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This month's author feature on The Autism Spectrum in the 21st Century: exploring psychology, biology and practice by JKP author Ilona Roth
Ilona Roth is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Open University and Chair of the new Level 1 OU course ‘Understanding the autism spectrum’ which, like the JKP book, is aimed at anyone wishing to find out more about the autism spectrum. Over 1100 students are studying the first presentation of the course.
The Autism Spectrum in the 21st Century:
exploring psychology, biology and practice
International Asperger’s Day falls on February 18th. This event, which aims to highlight the significance of Asperger syndrome for both society and individuals, also illustrates one of the many challenges to the newcomer trying to understand the autism spectrum. Such a person might reasonably assume that Asperger syndrome is a condition in its own right. Indeed, its diagnostically separable status within the spectrum is currently enshrined in both the DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10 diagnostic classification systems.
It took many years for Hans Asperger’s work, first published in 1944, to have the influence it has today. Leo Kanner had published his own seminal paper in 1943, coining the term ‘autistic aloneness’ to describe a syndrome-a relatively specific clinical disorder with a characteristic set of symptoms. The unrecognised link between the work of these two men finally came to light when Lorna Wing brought Asperger’s work to wide attention in the 1980s. This vital step in the transition from autism considered as a syndrome, to the 21st century concept of an autism spectrum has transformed clinical thinking and public understanding. The diagnosis of Asperger syndrome provides relief to countless individuals whose relatively ‘mild’ autistic traits would previously have been interpreted as eccentricity, bad behaviour or the like. And, of course, a broad diagnostic spectrum is one factor contributing to the greatly raised prevalence estimates for autism as a whole.
Yet just when the concept of Asperger has become so firmly established in both clinical practice and public understanding, the latest report from the DSM-V Neurodevelopmental Disorders Work Group signals the likelihood that Asperger syndrome, and other diagnostic ‘sub-types’ within the spectrum will be replaced by a single label, ‘autism spectrum disorder’, individuals being differentiated according to the severity of their symptoms. The rationale for this change is understandable-for instance the need for greater reliability and consistency in diagnoses between different clinicians, places and times. But the consequences will be manifold: to those for whom the label ‘Asperger syndrome’ is a badge of identity, the change may be unwelcome. For others, it may bring greater recognition of the difficulties experienced even at the ‘high-functioning’ end of the spectrum.
Charting the unfolding concept of the autism spectrum is just one of the many themes developed in ‘The Autism Spectrum in the 21st century: exploring psychology, biology and practice’ to provide a lively, accessible and up to date introduction to the autism field. The book caters, especially, for people approaching the field for the first time, who may otherwise struggle to identify reliable sources from the vast array of books, newspaper articles and internet sites, and may fail to get to grips with often complex theories and research findings. The intended audience includes teachers, health and social work professionals, parents, and individuals on the spectrum who would like to find out more about their own condition. Beyond this are students of psychological, biological and health sciences, and many others who just want to know more about this fascinating topic.
This book, which I have written with colleagues from the Open University, The Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University, and the National Autistic Society, covers the core topics, from psychological and biological explanations of why autism occurs, to diagnosis, intervention, education, family life and societal issues. The approach is not just to inform readers about a topic, but to equip them with the tools to analyse and evaluate material for themselves, via step-by-step guides to the key methods and approaches used by researchers and practitioners. We employ the Open University’s tried and trusted interactive study techniques, including key terms in bold, accompanied by definitions in an online glossary, section by section summaries, and self-assessment questions for readers to test their own understanding.
Last but not least, while our book draws extensively upon sources offering authoritative ‘outside’ perspectives on autism, we interpolate these with the first-hand accounts of people on the spectrum, whose ‘inside’ perspectives do so much to challenge, enrich and enhance our understanding.
Copyright © Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2010
Ilona Roth is the author of the new JKP title The Autism Spectrum in the 21st Century: Exploring Psychology, Biology and Practice®. See the below link for more details.
More details of the book
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Content links
JKP Autism books
Managing Family Meltdown:
The Low Arousal Approach and Autism
Linda Woodcock and Andrea Page
Click for more details
Understanding Intensive Interaction:
Context and Concepts for Professionals and Families
Graham Firth, Ruth Berry and Cath Irvine
Click for more details
The Adolescent and Adult Neuro-diversity Handbook:
Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Related Conditions
Sarah Hendrickx
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Successful School Change and Transition for the Child with Asperger Syndrome:
A Guide for Parents
Clare Lawrence
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The One and Only Sam:
A Story Explaining Idioms for Children with Asperger Syndrome and Other Communication Difficulties
Aileen Stalker
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Yoga Therapy for Every Special Child
:
Meeting Needs in a Natural Setting
Nancy Williams
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Motivate to Communicate!:
300 Games and Activities for Your Child with Autism
Simone Griffin and Dianne Sandler
Click for more details
A Spectrum of Light:
Inspirational Interviews with Families Affected by Autism
Francesca Bierens
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Autism and its Medical Management:
A Guide for Parents and Professionals
Michael Chez
Click for more details
Practical Behaviour Management Solutions for Children and Teens with Autism:
The 5P Approach
Linda Miller
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Getting to Grips with Asperger Syndrome:
Understanding Adults on the Autism Spectrum
Carol Hagland
Click for more details
Working with Adults with Asperger Syndrome
A Practical Toolkit
Carol Hagland and Zillah Webb
Click for more details
Can the World Afford Autistic Spectrum Disorder?
Nonverbal Communication, Asperger Syndrome and the Interbrain
Digby Tantam
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The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome:
Tony Attwood
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