The acclaimed approach to helping children with autism, profiled in the award-winning documentary Autism: The Musical This groundbreaking book outlines seven integrated keys for educators and parents to make meaningful connections with children on the autism spectrum. The book is based on the unique approach used by Elaine Hall and Diane Isaacs of The Miracle Project, a musical theater program for children with autism and their peers and siblings. The Miracle Project integrates traditional and creative therapies in an interactive, social dynamic. The book shows how to apply these effective strategies at school and at home to nurture kids' self-expression and social skills. Elaine Hall and The Miracle Project were profiled in the two-time Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary, Autism: The Musical Seven Keys reveals the seven-step program that has proven so successful for children in the Miracle Project After reading Seven Keys teachers and parents will better understand this puzzling disorder and be able to help children with autism draw connections and form more meaningful relationships Seven Keys to Unlock Autism offers readers strategies for creating a personal skill set to make their encounters with autistic children as successful and rewarding as possible.

The acclaimed approach to helping children with autism, profiledin the award-winning documentary Autism: The MusicalThis groundbreaking book outlines seven integrated keys foreducators and parents to make meaningful connections with childrenon the autism spectrum. The book is based on the unique approachused by Elaine Hall and Diane Isaacs of The Miracle Project, amusical theater program for children with autism and their peersand siblings. The Miracle Project integrates traditional andcreative therapies in an interactive, social dynamic. The bookshows how to apply these effective strategies at school and at hometo nurture kids' self-expression and social skills.* Elaine Hall and The Miracle Project were profiled in thetwo-time Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary, Autism: TheMusical* Seven Keys reveals the seven-step program that hasproven so successful for children in the Miracle Project* After reading Seven Keys teachers and parents willbetter understand this puzzling disorder and be able to helpchildren with autism draw connections and form more meaningfulrelationshipsSeven Keys to Unlock Autism offers readersstrategies for creating a personal skill set to make theirencounters with autistic children as successful and rewarding aspossible.

Acknowledgments ixAbout the Authors xiAbout The Miracle Project xiiiForeword by Stephen M. Shore xvIntroduction: It Starts with You xviiThe Seven Keys xviiiHow to Use This Book xixThe Keys xxElaine's Story xxiiiPart One: Autism 101 1Primer: Autism Through a Different Lens 3A Brief History 7Inspirational Stories 11Autism's Alphabet Soup 13Part Two: The Seven Keys 19Key One Set an Intention 21Key Two Develop Acceptance and Appreciation 37Diane's Story of Acceptance 51Key Three Understand Sensory Profi le 59Key Four Follow the Leader 73Key Five Include the Child 87Key Six Practice and Preparation Make Progress 105Key Seven Live Miracle Minded 121Conclusion: Opening Doors 131Part Three: Appendixes 135Appendix A: The Resource Room: Tools for Using the Seven Keys 137Primer: Leading Schools of Thought 138Autism Organizations 139Films 141IDEA and IEP 142Key One Resources 142Key Two Resources 143Key Three Resources 144Key Four Resources 144Key Five Resources 145Key Six Resources 145Key Seven Resources 146Appendix B: Additional Corners of the Resource Room 149Environmental Factors 149Classroom Set-Up 151Proactive Tools 153Accommodations 157Creating Consistency Across All Environments 160Creating a User-Friendly System 161Seven Keys to a Smooth IEP 164The Greatest Untapped Resource: The Parent 167Index 175