Autism & You

Diana Friedlander, EdD is an elementary special education teacher in Ridgefield, CT. She is also an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU), Danbury, CT. where she teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs. Dr. Friedlander has taught students with autism for over 40 years in both private and public schools where she has been an advocate for the successful inclusion of students with special needs into the general education classroom. Her research investigated differences and similarities in learning styles of students with autism and their typical peers. A life-long student, Dr. Friedlander has just begun fencing, something she has always wanted to learn. Karen Burke, CSJ, EdD is an Emeritus Professor at Western Connecticut State University(WCSU) in Danbury, Connecticut. She recently completed 10 years as a WCSU Instructional Leadership Doctoral Program Professor, recipient of the 2009 Connecticut State University Trustees Faculty Research Award. She is a former early childhood and middle school educator, and elementary school administrator. During the past 20 years, Dr. Burke dedicated her time researching the different styles of learning. She was co-creator of the Learning Style: The Clue to You (LS:CY) Assessment which helps determine individual's learning preferences and effects of using instructional strategies responsive to students' learning-style strengths. Her research has extended to conference presentations, professional development programs, and educational outreach in the United States and over 40 other countries in Central America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Although Karen has traveled the globe lecturing on innovative teaching and learning techniques, the most important lessons she has learned are in global awareness and understanding. As globalization changes the way we live, learn, and work; international education becomes important. "As a global citizen, she gets to see how similar we are to all people, how our cares and concerns and worries are all very similar. And the more we realize we are alike, the easier it will be to accept our differences."These insights and research projects subsequently lead to more than 40 publications in educational journals and edited books.

Chapter One: So You Have Autism
How It All Began
Understanding Autism
Autism In The Classroom
Chapter Two: You Also Have a Learning Style
Where You Learn Matters
How You Feel About Your Learning Matters
People You Choose To Learn With Matters
How Your Body Feels While You Are Learning Matters
How You Understand Information Matters
Chapter Three: Discovering Your Learning Style: Taking a Test You Can't Fail
What Does the LS:CY! Assessment Test Do?
Preparing to Take the LS:CY!
Discovering Your Learning Style
Understanding of Learning Styles
The Results
Chapter Four: Strategies to Help You Feel More Comfortable While You Are Learning
Sound verses Silence
Bright light verses Soft Light Warm verses Cool Temperatures
Formal Seating verses Informal Seating
Chapter Five: Strategies for Using Hands-On Learning: Tactile Learner Take Notice!
Materials and Directions for Making Tactile Materials
Chapter Six: Strategies for Understanding Ways You Learn Best
Understanding Analytical Learning : Step by Step Learning
Understanding Global Learning: Looking At the Whole Picture Before
Breaking It Down
Chapter Seven: Understanding With Whom You Learn Best and Managing Your Time
Chapter Eight: Putting It All Together