Main description:

This manual is the companion guide to Uniquely Normal: Tapping the Reservoir of Normalcy to Treat Autism. It is a guide you in using the Bernstein Cognitive Method for Autism (BCMA, or Bernstein Method for short). Rob teaches us the commonsense approach and uses everyday situations to help children with autism progress with language, socialization, and organization. You don't need a graduate school education to use this method; you have all the knowledge and skills you need. You already know how to do everything necessary to make a difference for your child.

Contents:

IntroductionActivities for Focusing Thinking and Organizing Thoughts

Candle and beaker: Thinking about cause and effect.
Rings on a post: Self-correction; big and small.
Helium balloons: Solving a problem together; planning; sequential thinking; expressing choices.
Magic tricks: Organizing thinking; verbal self-direction; verbal expression.

Activities for Eliciting and Organizing Language Put words into the child's mind.

Have the child fill in words as you read aloud.
Have the child fill in words as you speak.
Have the child fill in words as you sing with the child. Use movement to elicit language. Therapeutic car ride.

Activities for Developing Flexibility

Seeing things from another person's point of view.
Accepting another person's feelings and differences.
Overcoming perseveration.
Waiting to take turns Overcoming inflexibility, in highly verbal children/ young adults

Conclusion