Frameworks for Communication

The material in this book was first produced as part of an action research project carried out at the Early Years Diagnostic Centre in Nottingham (now re-named the Elizabeth Newson Centre).  The approach was based on work developed by the authors as researchers, clinicians and practitioners.

The guidelines were written and re-written in the form of individual booklets, refined through experience and feedback from the families involved in the project.  Originally published as a series of booklets and distributed by the Centre, they are now available in one volume and published by Jessica Kingsley.

This book champions initial intervention with children at an early stage of communication but the many practical ideas and strategies can also be usefully applied to children of school age if they are at an early stage of communication. 

First Steps in Intervention With Your Child With Autism is perfect for parents looking to understand their child better and, in turn, help improve their child’s development and communication.  This will also be a useful reference for all professionals working to support families with a child on the autism spectrum.

Research and other articles written as part of the research project: 

The Pragmatics of Language: remediating the central deficit for autistic 2-3 year olds
Elizabeth Newson, 2000
A published conference paper in which some of the theoretical background of the Frameworks for Communication project is illustrated by video episodes both from an ordinary 11-month pre-verbal child and from children with autism in the course of remediation. 

Developing a Diagnostic and Intervention Package for 2-to 3-year-olds with Autism: outcomes of the Frameworks for Communication approach
Susie Chandler, Phil Christie, Elizabeth Newson, Wendy Prevezer, 2002
This article, published in Autism 2002: the international journal of research and practice, describes the project and its main outcomes (not copiable). 

The Frameworks for Communication Project: outcomes of home based intervention for 2-3 year olds
Elizabeth Newson and Susie Chandler, 2002
A short paper summarising the project outcomes. 

A Diagnostic and Intervention Package for Young Children with Autism: what are the critical components?
Susie Chandler and Phil Christie, 2002
A discussion of another aspect of this project, originally published in the Good Autism Practice Journal. 

The Psychobiology of Pointing
Elizabeth Newson and Phil Christie, 1998
This short conference paper gives a more theoretical background to the booklet ‘Teaching Pointing’.

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