Code 9035

Outsmarting Explosive Behavior - A Visual System of Support and Intervention for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Judy Endow, MSW; Foreword by Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D.

$39.95

ISBN 9781934575444

This revolutionary program is designed to help decrease - and in some cases eliminate - explosive behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders. Tantrums and meltdowns are among the greatest challenges presented by ASD, often leaving parents and educators searching for answers. Outsmarting Explosive Behavior is a visual program, laid out as a fold-out poster, that can be individualized for each user. Four train cars represent the four stages of explosive behavior: Starting Out, Picking up Steam, Point of No Return, and Explosion. By using visuals to appeal to children with ASD, this program makes it easy to help them identify their current state and take steps to decrease the chances of a meltdown.

This comprehensive program includes poster-size visual, how-to handbook and student workbook.

ADVANCE PRAISE

"This book will be a wonderful asset to the autism community and anyone else dealing with meltdown behavior issues. Judy is a genius at positive problem solving. The concept of working together to 'outsmart' the explosive behavior is wonderfully positive and eliminates the need or temptation to assign blame. The description of the train model is highly detailed and concise, yet simple to understand. Lots of concrete examples illustrate how explosive behaviors can be analyzed and outsmarted by using the train model, including details about the recovery and re-engagement process after the explosive behavior. Judy has made a major positive difference in my life and the life of my son. I am so glad her books will give her wonderful advice a wider audience."

- Nancy Alar, president of the Autism Society of Wisconsin

"Judy has done an outstanding job of visualizing the explosion process through her conceptualization of a runaway train. Parents, teachers, and child care workers will find this model helpful in designing effective interventions for individuals with explosive behavior."

- Dr. Mary Macht, president of Macht Village Program, a community-based program for children with severe emotional disturbance

"Judy Endow has developed an excellent positive behavior intervention for children whose behavior troubles families and professionals who support them. Her model builds on strengths shared by many children with autism spectrum disorders and offers an opportunity for children and adults alike to learn to understand the true meaning of explosive behaviors and work as a team to outsmart them. Judy's personal experiences and the candor with which she shares them lend an extraordinary measure of credibility and compassion to all of her work, including this outstanding resource for parents and schools alike."

- Marge Resan, school administration consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

"The premise behind Judy Endow's latest book is simple but brilliant: If children on the autism spectrum determine what causes their explosive behavior, they'll discover how to control it. Outsmarting Explosive Behavior provides a win-win visual activity for the reader and his support person, and the book is a must have for all who work with autistic children."

- Elaine Marie Larson, author of I Am Utterly Unique, The Kaleidoscope Kid, and The Chameleon Kid; grandmother of 9-year-old with Asperger Syndrome

"Years ago, when my son was 2, with as yet undiagnosed Asperger Syndrome, I would watch him move his Brio® train cars on the track, slowly waiting for the moment the magnets attracted each other, moving the cars together with a click. He would do this over and over for hours. The train model Judy Endow uses in Outsmarting Explosive Behavior reminds my son and me of those Brio trains. The positive interventions help him prevent the train cars' magnets from clicking together, whereas the negative interventions attract the next car or stage, leading to a meltdown. He gets it! The logical framework of Outsmarting Explosive Behavior allows my son to be involved, not blamed, in identifying his characteristics to help himself. I have tried many other behavior interventions before. This is the only one that fully engages my son, helping him identify his own triggers as well as allowing him to take ownership for himself. Brilliant."

- Leslie Blasco, mom of an 8-year-old with Asperger Syndrome

Judy Endow, MSW, maintains a private practice in Madison, Wisconsin, providing consultation for families, school districts and other agencies. Besides having autism herself, she is the parent of three now grown sons, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. Judy conducts workshops and presentations on a variety of autism-related issues, is part of the Wisconsin DPI Statewide Autism Training Team, and a board member of the Autism Society of America, Wisconsin Chapter. Her first book, Making Lemonade, Hints for Autism's Helpers (CBR Press, 2006), shows how Judy has used the lemons of her autism to "make lemonade" in her own life. Judy is also the author of Paper Words, Discovering and Living with My Autism, and a DVD, The Power of Words: How We Talk About People with Autism Spectrum Disorders Matters! (AAPC, 2009). She brings a great depth of understanding and compassion to all the work she does.