New Book Presents Groundbreaking JASPER Intervention

The JASPER Clinician’s Manual is available now! JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation) is a treatment approach based on a combination of developmental and behavioral principles developed by Dr. Connie Kasari at UCLA. It targets the foundations of social communication (joint attention, imitation, play) and uses naturalistic strategies to increase the rate and complexity of social communication. It can be implemented by parents, teachers, clinicians, paraprofessionals, and other related service providers. The intervention works well in conjunction with other behavioral-based therapies and can be naturally incorporated into inclusion and special education classrooms and every day activities in the home. The only required materials are developmentally-appropriate toys or activities. “The JASPER treatment model is one of the most significant advances in early intervention for autism over the past 30 years,” says Dr. Peter Mundy, Distinguished Professor of Education and Lisa Capps Professor of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Education in Psychiatry, University of California, Davis.

This full-color clinician's manual is the authoritative guide to implementing the 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. “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” says Dr. Wendy Machalicek from the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences, University of Oregon.

“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.” Says Dr. Helen Tager-Flusberg of director, principal investigator, and professor at Boston University. She continues, “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!”

The JASPER Model for Children with Autism Promoting Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation, by Connie Kasari, Amanda C. Gulsrud, Stephanie Y. Shire, and Christina Strawbridge, can be ordered from Guilford Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other vendors.