Jen Blackwell mentioned the recent released Ziggurat Model and soon to be released CAPS, so I thought I'd include my advance praise for each of these amazing resources. These two systems should be in place in every school in the country---and they already are being used in several states. If you have the opportunity to hear Ruth Aspie, Ph.D and Barry Grossman Ph.D train the ZM in your area, it is well worth your time. You can check their schedule and see if they are in your area on their website
www.texasautism.com and/or at their publisher
www.asperter.net They are AMAZING.
The Ziggurat Model
Comprehensive and well-researched, but also understandable and accessible, the ZM addresses the multi-faceted needs of our kids with AS and HFA in the school setting. Its very premise is that while there are commonalities, the characteristics of autism impact every student differently. This program is ingenious in that it creates an individualized plan and a framework in which to implement it. It is a well-oiled mechanism that smoothes the wrinkle out of the school day for every child. Most importantly however, it is a custom fit for my child, your child, EVERY child. In addition, as a parent it’s exciting to think of the multitude of ways we can further use the information we gain about our kids through, for example, using the UCC (Underlying Characteristics Checklist). As we grow to understand each child’s individual strengths and challenges, it creates an atmosphere for them to become self-aware and to learn self-management skills. The ZM is not merely a support system, but a celebration about what is unique about our kids on the spectrum and a springboard for their future.
CAPS
Every fall educational time is lost as parents face new teachers and staff who are not familiar with our children’s needs and how to meet them. CAPS provides a clear plan that goes with our kids so we don’t have to perpetually reinvent the wheel with each new educational team. What supports does my child need? How and when are they implemented? Who is responsible for maintaining his daily program? With CAPS not only are the answers to those questions clear, but the way it is organized allows for consistency across classes and through transition from one grade to another. CAPS saves time, money, and energy for parents, staff and teachers, but most importantly it ensures our kids’ need for specific supports at school are met. As a parent this program greatly eases my mind.
ZM is already available from the Autism Asperger Publishing Company at asperger.net and CAPS is being released shortly.
Kristi Sakai
Author