Understanding and Responding to Autism: The SPELL framework (3rd edition) 3/e

Dr Julie Beadle-Brown is a researcher, consultant and professor in Intellectual and Developmental Disability. Richard Mills is an experienced autism advisor, who has chaired numerous research groups, helped to develop NICE guidance and authored multiple scientific papers, chapters and articles on autism. Ruth Moyse is an experienced trainer and facilitator and is Head of Training and Co-production at AT-Autism. Her research interest is the education of autistic children, and autistic mental health and wellbeing. Joe Powell is Chief Executive of All Wales People First. He is autistic, with first-hand experience of living in learning disability services. Dr. Zahilah Filzah is the Director and Consultant Paediatrician at Space A Autism Support Centre in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. She is also an Associate Consultant at AT-Autism and a Licensed SPELL Advanced Trainer.

Introduction Part 1: Understanding Autism Terminology Neurodiversity Cause, prevalence and diagnosis Characteristics of autism Social communication differences and difficulties Intense interests and repetitive/self- stimulating behaviours (stimming) The sensory world of autism Other features & strengths of autism Underlying mechanisms Stress and anxiety Personal experiences Part 2: Supporting autistic children and adults The SPELL framework Structure Positive approaches, attitudes and expectations Empathy Good communication support SPELL audit References and further reading