The Miller Method (R): Developing the Capacities of Children on the Autism Spectrum

This informative and practical guide to the Miller Method® presents an entirely new and dynamic perspective on advancing the body organization, social, and communicative skills of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Working on the premise that children with ASDs learn more effectively when their whole bodies are involved, The Miller Method® covers major issues such as communication skills and social play, as well as day-to-day behavioral issues including tantrums, aggression and toilet training. Part of Miller's method includes guiding the child on to The Elevated Square, a device that gets the child off the floor and markedly diminishes toe-walking, hand flapping and aimless wandering. By creating a highly defined reality that requires the child's rapt attention to traverse it, the Elevated Square helps counter some of the significant challenges these children confront. Another feature of the method entails the carefully gauged disruption of everyday routines. This may include deliberately "messing up" the classroom so that the children experience putting it together and learning that they can cope with disorder and change.

This practical resource is essential reading for parents and professionals living and working with children with ASDs.

Arnold Miller, Ph.D., was a clinical psychologist and Executive Director of the Language and Cognitive Development Center of Newton, Massachusetts. He was also Affiliate Professor of Psychology at Clark University, Massachusetts. Kristina Chrétien, M.S. works as cognitive-developmental therapist at the Language and Cognitive Development Center of Newton.