Date: 12/5/00 Subject: Resource for Parents and Professionals
My name is Carolyn Murray-Slutsky. I am an occupational therapist with more than 20 years of experience. I am also a co-owner of MP Rehabilitative Services, a private pediatric practice in South Florida, which treats a large number of children with autism spectrum disorders. My partner Betty Paris (PT) and I have recently published a book entitled Exploring the Spectrum of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Intervention Strategies.. This book is a great resource for parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals, and we hope you might bring it to the attention of your listserv members.
Betty and I lecture and present treatment workshops for therapists and educators throughout the United States. During the past decade, however, we were struck by the lack of knowledge by "professionals" with regard to material that our workshops covered. At the same time, so many parents of children in our private practice were approaching us seeking an easy-to-follow resource that could answer their questions and help them understand and help their children. While there are no cookbook answers for autism, our book is based on successes in our clinic and the feedback that we have received from parents, physicians, neurologists, teachers and behaviorists who have reported positive differences in their children since following the techniques and sample activities we set forth.
Exploring the Spectrum of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (2000, Therapy Skill Builders), provides an integrative holistic approach to autistic spectrum disorders, taking into account the complex interrelationship between a child's behaviors, sensory processing, motor control, speech-language and functional skills. It identifies common problems encountered, and supplies easy-to-follow intervention strategies incorporating occupational, physical and speech therapy techniques, including neuro-developmental and sensory integrative treatment. Information in the book is presented in a "layering" method; that is, a concept is introduced in general terms, then gradual layers of explanation are given until the concept is explained in full detail. As the chapters progress, the individual concepts build upon each other, thereby enabling parents and other lay persons to gain a solid understanding of material, including the complex medical and neurological terminology that so often proves overwhelming.
"Exploring the Spectrum of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders is available through Amazon.com Exploring the Spectrum of Autism and Pervasive Develop, Barnes and Noble, and Therapy Skill Builders (www.tpcweb.com).
Sincerely, Carolyn Murray-Slutsky, M.S., OTR