The acclaimed approach to helping children with autism, profiled
in the award-winning documentary Autism: The Musical
This groundbreaking book outlines seven integrated keys for
educators and parents to make meaningful connections with children
on the autism spectrum. The book is based on the unique approach
used by Elaine Hall and Diane Isaacs of The Miracle Project, a
musical theater program for children with autism and their peers
and siblings. The Miracle Project integrates traditional and
creative therapies in an interactive, social dynamic. The book
shows how to apply these effective strategies at school and at home
to nurture kids’ self-expression and social skills.
* Elaine Hall and The Miracle Project were profiled in the
two-time Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary, Autism: The
Musical
* Seven Keys reveals the seven-step program that has
proven so successful for children in the Miracle Project
* After reading Seven Keys teachers and parents will
better understand this puzzling disorder and be able to help
children with autism draw connections and form more meaningful
relationships
Seven Keys to Unlock Autism offers readers
strategies for creating a personal skill set to make their
encounters with autistic children as successful and rewarding as
possible.
Cuprins
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 Profi le 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
Despre autor
ELAINE HALL (‘Coach E’) is the founder of The Miracle Project. When traditional therapies failed to help her autistic son, she sought out creative people–actors, writers, and teachers–to work with him. The methods Elaine developed to reach kids with autism resulted in The Miracle Project and were profiled in the HBO documentary, Autism: The Musical.
DIANE ISAACS is the cofounder of The Miracle Project. A successful film producer, she is the former president of Green Moon Productions, which she cofounded with Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith. Diane produced The Miracle Project’s benefit album, FLY, with artists including Jack Black, Stephen Stills, and Chaka Khan. She is expanding The Miracle Project nationally and internationally, from India to Ethiopia.