The JASPER Model for Children with Autism: Promoting Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation

by Connie Kasari, Amanda C. Gulsrud PhD, Stephanie Y. Shire, Christina Strawbridge

Overview

This full-color clinician's manual is the authoritative guide to implementing the Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation (JASPER) intervention. With a strong evidence base, JASPER provides a clear, flexible structure to bolster early skills core to social communication development. The authors show how to assess 1- to 8-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), set treatment targets, choose engaging play materials, tailor JASPER strategies to each individual, and troubleshoot common challenges. In a convenient large-size format, the manual features case examples, learning exercises, and reproducible clinical tools. At the companion website, clinicians can download and print the reproducible materials as well as a supplemental annotated bibliography.

Cited as an evidence-based practice by the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462547593
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	10/04/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	360
Sales rank:	993,533
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Connie Kasari, PhD, is Distinguished Professor of Human Development and Psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry in the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Kasari is a founding member of the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment. Her research aims to develop novel, tested interventions implemented in community settings. Recent projects include targeted treatments for early social communication development in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers at risk for or diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and for peer relationships in school-age children with ASD. She has led many multisite federally funded projects investigating the efficacy of interventions for children with ASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Kasari is on the science advisory board of the Autism Speaks Foundation and regularly presents to academic and practitioner audiences locally, nationally, and internationally.

Amanda C. Gulsrud, PhD, is Associate Clinical Professor in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Clinical Director of the multidisciplinary UCLA Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental Clinic. Dr. Gulsrud is a clinical psychologist who specializes in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the development of behavioral interventions across the lifespan. Her research focuses on the early identification and treatment of infants and toddlers with ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders, using the JASPER intervention. She has played an integral role in the development and adaptation of JASPER for infants and toddlers, has worked closely with the team testing JASPER’s effectiveness across a variety of settings, and is a collaborator on several current research trials using JASPER.

Stephanie Y. Shire, PhD, is Assistant Professor in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education in the College of Education at the University of Oregon. Her research interests focus on the development, adaptation, and real-world effectiveness of intervention programs for children with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders, examined through community partnerships in both low- and high-resource settings. She is interested in the use of effectiveness–implementation hybrid designs to examine community practitioners’ adoption of intervention strategies as well as children’s development. Dr. Shire has played an integral role in the development and dissemination of the JASPER intervention. She has worked on studies focusing on classroom adaptation and deployment, JASPER for children who have minimal verbal language, and community implementation and training, including remote training strategies. She conducts JASPER training nationally and internationally.

Christina Strawbridge is Research Associate in the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Strawbridge joined the Kasari Lab in 2012, and spends most of her time writing about JASPER, in the form of training materials, clinicians’ manuals, and websites. She played a key role in translating the in-person training program into systemized written instruction and headed up the writing and development of The JASPER Model for Children with Autism.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction to JASPER
1. What Is JASPER?
2. Core Domains
II. Setting Targets
3. SPACE Administration
4. Identifying Mastered and Target Skills
III. Preparing for Session
5. Introduction to JASPER Routines
6. Assembling JASPER Routines
7. Preparing a JASPER Environment
8. Setting the Foundation for Engagement and Regulation
IV. Play
9. Imitating and Modeling Play
10. Establishing the Base
11. Expanding Routines
V. Communication
12. Core Communication Strategies
13. Programming for Gestures and Language
14. Incorporating a Speech-Generating Device
VI. Troubleshooting
15. Supporting Engagement
16. Supporting Regulation
17. Supporting Productive Play in the Context of RRBs
VII. Conclusion
18. Putting It All Together
Appendix A. Strategies Checklist
Appendix B. Exercise Answers
Appendix C. Caity’s Toy Box
References
Index
 

Editorial Reviews

"Having closely followed the research on JASPER from its earliest stages, I am delighted that Kasari and her colleagues have now brought together all they have learned about how to implement their creative and engaging intervention for children with autism. JASPER has been shown in a large number of gold-standard clinical trials to be highly effective in promoting social communication and cognitive and language skills. The book provides a comprehensive overview of JASPER's guiding developmental framework and describes how to implement intervention strategies tailored to the specific profiles of individual children. The clear writing and fun illustrations capture the engaging nature of JASPER, which is grounded in easy-to-implement play-based interactions. This volume will earn a place of honor on every practitioner’s bookshelf!"—Helen Tager-Flusberg, PhD, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University

"The JASPER treatment model is one of the most significant advances in early intervention for autism over the past 30 years. With clinical insight and careful research, the authors grounded JASPER in an understanding of early child development and the characteristics of autism that create learning and social communication challenges. They impeccably gathered evidence to appraise the model's effectiveness and its feasibility for use at home or in schools, by interventionists, teachers, or parents. The JASPER manual can significantly inform and benefit any clinician, educator, or student dedicated to evidence-based best practices in early intervention for children with autism."—Peter Mundy, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Education and Lisa Capps Professor of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Education in Psychiatry, University of California, Davis

"The dissemination of research-based interventions, such as the JASPER model, to early learning environments is a pressing need for improving the developmental outcomes of children with autism. Early interventionists, toddler and preschool teachers, special educators, and other professionals will find this book accessible, informative, and effective in learning how to implement JASPER with the children and families they serve."—Wendy Machalicek, PhD, BCBA-D, Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences, University of Oregon

"This essential book presents a groundbreaking intervention in an easy-to-read format. Children learn through play and connection, which are central to JASPER. Learning the fundamentals of JASPER and using these strategies within the public health system in Newfoundland and Labrador has had a significant positive impact on the children of our province, improving outcomes and allowing them to experience the joy of playing and learning."—Lisa Baker Worthman, MEd, Department of Health and Community Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

From the Publisher

A carefully constructed, well-organized, and eminently practical book detailing intervention practices of one of the most extensively researched Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) models.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Reviewer: Charla Waxman, MBA, EdD (Lake Behavioral Hospital)
Description: This book is designed as a manual that provides information on how to implement the Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation (JASPER) autism intervention program. Readers will learn how to improve communication skill development for children ages 1-8 identified as living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Learning exercises and clinical tools help readers navigate the challenges of ASD. Illustrations and scenarios drive home the usefulness of the material. Valuable reproducible materials can be downloaded from the JASPER website to further enhance clinician success.
Purpose: The overarching purpose of this guide is to impact the world of children with ASD in a way that helps them develop some life-enhancing core competencies. The condition of ASD may inherently create relationship difficulties and the JASPER method aims to help mitigate those challenges. Regulation and modulation and behavioral and emotional strategies are addressed to help children with ASD engage in socially acceptable ways. Readers will learn how to assess and intervene in ASD challenges by implementing strategies of JASPER.
Audience: The JASPER Model is an early intervention strategic framework for children with ASD. The research and clinical trials for this program have spanned years, in fact, decades, of study, all for the benefit of children. The JASPER method, according to Peter Mundy, PhD, University of California, "can significantly inform and benefit any clinician, educator or student dedicated to evidence-based best practices in early intervention for children with ASD." In my opinion, parents of children with ASD will also benefit from understanding JASPER processes and interventions.
Features: The best way to gain an understanding of the JASPER Model is to acquaint oneself with the first two chapters of the manual. These two chapters detail what sessions look like, session objectives, and the specifics of how to deliver the program with fidelity. The four domains that will be key to social growth and communication include: Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation (JASPER). Layers of support and the JASPER roadmap help readers fully understand program layout. Exercises, case examples, and checklists help practitioners prepare for successful JASPER intervention.
Assessment: There is no question about the complexity of autism and the behaviors linked to ASD. The spectrum of behaviors and challenges are immense. The list of hardships ranges from mutism to perseveration to hyper-movement and disinterest — all making communication and social engagement difficult at best. This book is a hope-filled, strategic review of "what-to-do" to assist the ASD child. Easy-to-read scenarios to ponder and step-by-step responses are all here for clinicians and educators to help move children with ASD forward and unlock doors to success. The only missing link is a follow-up book specifically for parents! This information WILL make a difference for professionals and the children they serve. Read this book and have a breakthrough!

Doody's Review Service