How many times have you heard that people with autism lack creativity? That they reject affection or suffer from mental retardation? As the number of children diagnosed with autism surges, researchers and educators are racing to define the amorphous nature of this spectrum disorder and its wide range of symptoms. But in trying to characterize this widely varying group, people often perpetuate a host of limiting and potentially damaging misconceptions in the media, in academic journals and even in textbooks. These myths don’t hold up when examined, and they don’t reflect Jonathan Alderson’s experience working with more than 2,000 children and families over two decades. Provocative and meticulously researched, Challenging the Myths of Autism looks at the most prevalent fallacies, explains how they developed, examines why dispelling them matters and, most importantly, sets out a new understanding that will change the way parents and professionals view autism. With examples from his own practice, Alderson charts a whole new realm of possibilities for treatment and research. Visit the website: www.challengethemyths.com Reviews and Endorsements: "Bringing to bear decades of experience and a fresh open-mindedness rarely found among autism experts, Jonathan Alderson tackles the conventional wisdom that has systematically undervalued our children, terrified parents, and blocked innovation in treatment. If you really want to understand an autistic child, dump your old textbooks and read this book instead."
- Jill Escher, "Autism Tomorrows"
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"This book is a “must read” for professionals and family members and an important necessary step to allow our understanding of autism to progress."
- Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Director, Childhood Communication Services, Adjunct Professor, Center for the Study of Human Development, Brown University
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"Pushing the limits that dominate much of current thinking, this bold book adds to the momentum that keeps the field moving forward. It is certain to be a valuable resource for anyone serious about making a meaningful difference in the lives of people with autism and their families."
- Pamela Wolfberg, Ph.D., San Francisco State University and Autism Institute on Peer Socialization and Play
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"As the father of a teenage girl with autism, I've seen first-hand Jonathan's remarkable work with families around the world. Researchers, educators and parents alike should read Jonathan's forward-thinking book, filled with unique insight and compassion, to see the incredible possibility as our understanding of autism is changing."
- David Patchell-Evans, CEO of GoodLife Fitness and founder of the Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group About the Author: Jonathan Alderson is an autism treatment specialist and founder of the innovative Intensive Multi-Treatment Intervention Program. A graduate of Harvard University, with experience as a Curriculum Specialist Coordinator with Teach For America, he has trained at the Son-Rise Program in Massachusetts, where he worked as program administrator and a senior therapist trainer. Now based in Toronto, Jonathan is a sought-after speaker and instructor who works with children and families around the world. In 2010, Jonathan was nominated as one of The Globe and Mail’s “25 Transformative Canadians.” Find Jonathan on Facebook and Twitter
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