Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adolescents and Adults Evidence-Based and Promising Interventions

Bringing together leading experts, this book presents effective practices for helping people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to thrive in adulthood. As individuals with ASD mature, their needs change as well. The book reviews the growing research base and describes ways to support adolescents and adults in succeeding in higher education and work, living independently, enjoying leisure activities, navigating meaningful personal relationships, and more. Specific behavioral and instructional interventions--such as functional communication training, positive behavior support, and applied behavior analysis--are discussed. Case examples illustrate practical aspects of applying the strategies in real-world school and community settings.

I. Introduction 1. Characteristics of Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders, Brenda Smith Myles, Amy Bixler Coffin, Donna J. Owens, & Courtney Yantes 2. Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Family, Lauren Pepa & Sandra L. Harris II. Transitioning from Adolescence to Adulthood 3. Effective Secondary Education and Transition for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Michael L. Wehmeyer & Dianne Zager 4. Postsecondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Jane Thierfeld Brown, Lorraine E. Wolf, & Christine Wenzel III. Instructional and Behavioral Interventions to Promote Quality of Life 5. Behavioral Interventions for Complex Communication and Social Skills in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Angelica Aguirre, John ONeill, Ruth Anne Rehfeldt, & Valerie Boyer 6. Teaching Functional Communication to Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Russell Lang, Jeff Sigafoos, Larah van der Meer, Amarie Carnett, Vanessa A. Green, Giulio E. Lancioni, & Mark F. OReilly 7. Positive Behavior Support for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Matt Tincani & Shannon Crozier 8. Skill-Building Interventions for Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Peter F. Gerhardt, Maria Fernanda Garcia, & Anthony Foglia 9. Sexuality and Relationships for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Jason C. Travers & Peggy Schaeffer Whitby 10. Toward a Balanced Leisure Lifestyle for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Phyllis Coyne & Ann Fullerton IV. Employment, Independence, Aging, and Policy 11. Meaningful Employment for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Paul Wehman, Pamela Sherron Targett, Carol Schall, & Staci Carr 12. Facilitating Successful Independent Living Skills for Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders, Brenda Smith Myles, Daniel Steere, Cathy Pratt, Ruth Aspy, Barry G. Grossman, & Shawn A. Henry 13. Aging, Estate Planning, and Funding Services for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Carol Markowitz 14. Legal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorders, Beverly L. Frantz & David W. Zellis

Matt Tincani, PhD, BCBA-D, is Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Temple University. His primary focus is the application of behavioral principles to improve language, academic, social, and play skills of learners with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities, with particular interest in Skinners analysis of verbal behavior. Other research interests include positive behavior support in school and community settings, scaling-up of behavioral interventions, quality of life of people with disabilities, and single-case designs. Dr. Tincani has served on the editorial boards of several prominent journals in the special education field and is an associate editor of the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2000, Dr. Tincani was previously coordinator of Temple's graduate Applied Behavior Analysis program, in addition to his longstanding affiliation with the Special Education program. Andy Bondy, PhD, has over 40 years of experience working with children and adults with ASD and related developmental disabilities. For more than a dozen years he served as the director of a statewide public school program for students with autism. He and his wife, Lori Frost, pioneered the development of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Dr. Bondy designed the Pyramid Approach to Education as a comprehensive combination of broad-spectrum behavior analysis and functional communication strategies. He is a cofounder of Pyramid Educational Consultants, in Newark, Delaware, and serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.