Seven Keys to Unlock Autism

Acknowledgments ix About the Authors xi About The Miracle Project xiii Foreword by Stephen M. Shore xv Introduction: It Starts with You xvii The Seven Keys xviii How to Use This Book xix The Keys xx Elaine's Story xxiii Part One: Autism 101 1 Primer: Autism Through a Different Lens 3 A Brief History 7 Inspirational Stories 11 Autism's Alphabet Soup 13 Part Two: The Seven Keys 19 Key One Set an Intention 21 Key Two Develop Acceptance and Appreciation 37 Diane's Story of Acceptance 51 Key Three Understand Sensory Profile 59 Key Four Follow the Leader 73 Key Five Include the Child 87 Key Six Practice and Preparation Make Progress 105 Key Seven Live Miracle Minded 121 Conclusion: Opening Doors 131 Part Three: Appendixes 135 Appendix A: The Resource Room: Tools for Using the Seven Keys 137 Primer: Leading Schools of Thought 138 Autism Organizations 139 Films 141 IDEA and IEP 142 Key One Resources 142 Key Two Resources 143 Key Three Resources 144 Key Four Resources 144 Key Five Resources 145 Key Six Resources 145 Key Seven Resources 146 Appendix B: Additional Corners of the Resource Room 149 Environmental Factors 149 Classroom Set-Up 151 Proactive Tools 153 Accommodations 157 Creating Consistency Across All Environments 160 Creating a User-Friendly System 161 Seven Keys to a Smooth IEP 164 The Greatest Untapped Resource: The Parent 167 Index 175