The Oak Hill Method

How do you help a student with autism who is not thriving in school and feels isolated, disconnected, frustrated, misunderstood, and unable to learn? In The Oak Hill Method: Connecting to Students with Autism, you will hear directly from expert teachers and clinicians who have been working with students with autism in the highly successful program at Oak Hill School. Oak Hill School uses a wide range of evidence-based strategies that center around building relationships, truly knowing the individual, and customizing educational programs. Through a series of case-based chapters and specific examples, the reader will learn effective and practical strategies to welcome a student to a new environment, build trusting relationships, and develop a broad range of skills including self-awareness, self-advocacy, emotional and sensory regulation, and social communication that will allow for personal and academic growth both in school and in their future.

This practical book allows the reader to hear directly from teachers with extensive experience connecting with and supporting the growth of students with autism. Each chapter is centered around a case that describes a common, challenging situation that occurred in the classroom. The teachers share their process of carefully assessing the student, uncovering the different causes of the behavior, and using their creative, relationship-based strategies to help the student move in a positive direction. The book uses simple, clear language that is designed to be accessible to a wide range of readers including other experienced teachers, educators who may be just beginning to teach students with autism, and parents and caregivers who want to learn more about caring, thoughtful techniques that can be used at home.  

Stephen Bent, M.D., is a Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco with expertise in conducting randomized controlled trials related to the safety and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine. He also conducts cohort studies and clinical trials in children with developmental disorders including autism, dyslexia, and ADHD to identify risk factors and interventions that improve outcomes.