September-October 2010 issue highlights
Bridges Across Impasse: When All Else Fails
Nicholas R.M. Martin, MA
Most if not all parents and educators hope to reach consensus when they attend special education planning meetings. But when disagreements arise and emotions run strong, they often find themselves at impasse, and need practical strategies they can implement now. Read the article here.
Guardianship: Making the Right Decision for Your Child with Autism
Charles J. Massimo
Guardianship is an important decision for all parents, and particularly for those with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It is a common misconception that if parents are alive when their autistic child turns 18, they will automatically remain their child’s guardian. This is not the case.
Collaborative Team Teaching: The ASD Nest Program
Part 1: The Collaborative Mindset
Jacqueline Dowd, Stacy Emspak, Hannah Goldstein, Patricia Mahalko, Donna Mizrahi, Melissa Puglisi, Tamara Restrepo, Jen Toplan, and Dolores Troy-Quinn
Finding an appropriate placement for children on the higher functioning end of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be a very daunting task. One model known as Collaborative Team Teaching may be just the answer, but the success of any CTT model depends on the team’s approach. Each member must possess a mindset that fosters a collaborative relationship.
Positive Reinforcement: The Key to Success
Pat Crissey
Positive reinforcement is powerful, but finding ways to encourage the hard-to-motivate spectrum child can be challenging. By expanding the list of reinforcers or learning how to use the ones you have more effectively, you can overcome these challenges
Treatment Harmony: Defining a Hybrid of Social Interventions for Students with Strong Intelligence and Language Skills
Michelle Garcia Winner and Chris Abildgaard
In the not too distant past we were mainly dealing with children with “classic autism.” Today we have caseloads filled with academically bright ASD students with reasonable to advanced verbal intelligence scores and spontaneous expressive and receptive language abilities. It’s time for a new generation of treatment options for higher functioning students with ASD.
Inspirational Stories
Creative Inspiration! Art Museums and Autism
Saira Vazquez and Natalia Arredondo
Now more than ever, museums are using art to make a difference in people’s lives. Art museums across North America have begun to reach out to children with autism and their families with specialized programming. Read the article here.
Thinking in Numbers
Jerry Newport
"Last November, I entered two words, "mental math," in my Google browser, which led me to the experience of a lifetime: the biannual World Cup of Mental Mathematics."
Featured Book

WHY won't he stay in his seat? WHY does she flap her hands? And WHAT should I do?
As inclusion becomes the norm in general education, teachers are faced with behaviors they have never seen before. See a behavior you don’t understand? Look it up and find solutions!
(Click on the book cover to order directly from Future Horizons)

Our Regular ColumnsEditorial
By Veronica Zysk, Managing Editor
Ten Times Over
[Read the column here.]
Autism & Asperger’s | The Way I See It
By Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
Bottom Up Thinking
Temple Grandin, the movie, captured an Emmy for Outstanding Made for Television Movie! The DVD is now available at major outlets, at Amazon.com, through Future Horizons, and on Netflix. Don't miss it!
Communication | More than Words
By Marge Blanc, M.A., CCC-SLP
First Words: Their Real Significance to Language Development
Early Intervention | Building for the Future
By James Ball, Ed.D., BCBA
Autism: A Whole Famly Condition
Sensory | Sensory Smarts
By Lindsey Biel, OTR/L
Sensory Smarts Goes to School
Read the article here.
[Download the Sensory Checklist here.]
Biodynamics | Healing from Within
By Donna Gates
A System for Health and Healing
Parent to Parent | The Sweet Spot
By Michelle McConnell
What If?
Adult Issues | Nagivating Toward Success
By Nick Dubin, Psy.D.
Your New Best Friend
Newsbites
(What’s a Newsbite? Click here to read samples from current and previous issues.)
1001 Great Ideas
Diet & Nutrition
Life Skills
Soul Food
Parenting Help
Caught our Eye
In the Community
Teaching Tips
New Products
Vocabulary