Book Review: Learning as we Grow: Enriching Education for Students With Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders

This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Autism. Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by severe deficits in social interaction and communication and by abnormal behavior patterns, such as the repetition of specific movements or a tendency to focus on certain objects. Nicole Beurkens is the Official Guide to Autism.

Learning as we Grow: Enriching Education for Students With Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders, by Nicole Beurkens, is a valuable resource for people interested in Autism, and it is available through Amazon.com.

As a teacher, my goal is to help students reach the highest level of independence possible. I have struggled for years feeling like I was working around my students' obstacles rather than really addressing them. This book provides information on the core areas that require attention in order to help students with neurdevelopmental disorders learn and thrive. The practical strategies and examples provide a road map to start immediately implementing the information in the classroom. I know that I am a better guide for my students, and have a better partnership with their parents, as a result of this resource. --Betty Jo Brege, Special Education Teacher

It's about time! As a parent, I have struggled to communicate to others the basic premises and practices of remediation for autism. Not only have the authors accomplished this, but they have done so in a language that all of us can understand. Beyond educating and informing, this book also enlightens, encourages, and gives practical advice for putting theory into action. Not only will I read and reference it often, I will recommend it to many others. --Joanna DeWolf, Parent

More than just a collection of good teaching strategies, this book is firmly rooted in developmental principles that help us look deeper at the foundations that must be in place in order for children to benefit from our instruction. Learning as we Grow reminds us that our ultimate goal is to help our children become competent at navigating the complexities fo the real world, whether these children are developing typically or have neurodevelopmental challenges. This is indeed a tall order; but the authors show us not only what we need to do differently, but also how to get started and why these strategies work. They have created and invaluable resource that is both substantive and accessible. Beneficial for educators, parents, consultants, and other professionals, Learning as we Grow hits the mark! --Jodi Cobb, MA C.A.S., RDI Program Certified Consultant