Details

<p>Acknowledgments ix</p> <p>About the Authors xi</p> <p>About The Miracle Project xiii</p> <p>Foreword by <i>Stephen M. Shore </i>xv</p> <p>Introduction: It Starts with You xvii</p> <p>The Seven Keys xviii</p> <p>How to Use This Book xix</p> <p>The Keys xx</p> <p>Elaine’s Story xxiii</p> <p><b>Part One: Autism 101 1</b></p> <p>Primer: Autism Through a Different Lens 3</p> <p>A Brief History 7</p> <p>Inspirational Stories 11</p> <p>Autism’s Alphabet Soup 13</p> <p><b>Part Two: The Seven Keys 19</b></p> <p>Key One Set an Intention 21</p> <p>Key Two Develop Acceptance and Appreciation 37</p> <p>Diane’s Story of Acceptance 51</p> <p>Key Three Understand Sensory Profi le 59</p> <p>Key Four Follow the Leader 73</p> <p>Key Five Include the Child 87</p> <p>Key Six Practice and Preparation Make Progress 105</p> <p>Key Seven Live Miracle Minded 121</p> <p>Conclusion: Opening Doors 131</p> <p><b>Part Three: Appendixes 135</b></p> <p>Appendix A: The Resource Room: Tools for Using the Seven Keys 137</p> <p>Primer: Leading Schools of Thought 138</p> <p>Autism Organizations 139</p> <p>Films 141</p> <p>IDEA and IEP 142</p> <p>Key One Resources 142</p> <p>Key Two Resources 143</p> <p>Key Three Resources 144</p> <p>Key Four Resources 144</p> <p>Key Five Resources 145</p> <p>Key Six Resources 145</p> <p>Key Seven Resources 146</p> <p>Appendix B: Additional Corners of the Resource Room 149</p> <p>Environmental Factors 149</p> <p>Classroom Set-Up 151</p> <p>Proactive Tools 153</p> <p>Accommodations 157</p> <p>Creating Consistency Across All Environments 160</p> <p>Creating a User-Friendly System 161</p> <p>Seven Keys to a Smooth IEP 164</p> <p>The Greatest Untapped Resource: The Parent 167</p> <p>Index 175</p>

"This should be required reading for all teachers. Each of the seven keys are simple to add to not only the classroom but the home." (examiner.com, April 2012)

<p><b>ELAINE HALL</b> ("Coach E") is the founder of The Miracle Project. When traditional therapies failed to help her autistic son, she sought out creative people—actors, writers, and teachers—to work with him. The methods Elaine developed to reach kids with autism resulted in The Miracle Project and were profiled in the HBO documentary, <i>Autism: The Musical.</i> <p><b>DIANE ISAACS</b> is the cofounder of The Miracle Project. A successful film producer, she is the former president of Green Moon Productions, which she cofounded with Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith. Diane produced The Miracle Project's benefit album, <i>FLY,</i> with artists including Jack Black, Stephen Stills, and Chaka Khan. She is expanding The Miracle Project nationally and internationally, from India to Ethiopia.

<p><b>Seven Keys to Unlock Autism</b> <p><i>Seven Keys to Unlock Autism</i> offers educators, parents, and other caregivers specific and actionable techniques to reach "seemingly unreachable" children on the autism spectrum and teach students of all abilities. <p>With the increased number of children diagnosed with autism, this essential resource is needed now more than ever. <i>Seven Keys to Unlock Autism</i> can help anyone develop a personal skill set to better understand and access these often hard-to-reach children. Step-by-step, this engaging book shows how to identify these skills and use them in your daily interactions with kids on the autism spectrum. Using the ideas outlined in the book, teachers and parents can create more meaningful relationships for optimal results in the classroom and at home. <p>The seven keys are based on the unique, world-acclaimed approach used by Elaine Hall and Diane Isaacs of The Miracle Project, a fully inclusive socialization and communication program for children with autism and their typically developing peers and siblings. Featured in the Emmy Award–winning documentary, <i>Autism: The Musical,</i> this proven program seam-lessly integrates traditional and creative therapies in an interactive, dynamic social environment. <p>The seven keys uncover and develop the diverse skills, wisdom, and talents of children on the spectrum. Each key includes a self-led exercise, examples of ways to navigate potential obstacles, "from the trenches" advice from real-world educators, and "Quick Keys" for ongoing daily support. <i>Seven Keys to Unlock</i> Autism is sure to be a trusted companion for rewarding classroom success.

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