Seeing Autism through Parents’ Feedback, Sketchnotes, Technology, and Evidence-based Practices (Educational Communications and Technology: Issues and Innovations)

Seeing Autism is a comprehensive but easy-to-understand guidebook for caretakers, parents, educators, counselors, therapists, and researchers on various aspects of rearing and supporting children with autism spectrum disorder. It provides textual and visual information on technology tools, symptoms, diagnosis, auditory, sensory, visual, physical, and educational issues, as well as strategies and practices to help children on the Autism Spectrum reach their potential. 

Seeing Autism uniquely capitalizes on sketchnotes, a visual thinking tool, to communicate information and practices. Sketchnotes provide a unique space that can help the reader think differently, generate a variety of ideas, explore alternatives, and develop constructive points for expressing ideas and developing visual communication aids. This book will assist parents, educators, and professionals in schools (counselors, school psychologists, librarians) who work with childrendiagnosed with ASD; it will help readers increase their knowledge of autism and gain an appreciation for evidence-based practices and forms of technology that can be used to support learners on the autism spectrum. 

 “This book is a call to arms and is as much a resource for the family friend as it is for the provider coming to the home. In the book Seeing Autism, Dr. Demetria Ennis-Cole helps individuals gain an incredible perspective and learn the struggles, challenges and joys of families rearing children, teens and adults on the spectrum.  This book covers the entire spectrum and is a fantastic mix of research, parent perspective, and even sketchnotes for visual learners. The material is well-balanced and is a great resource to support individuals on the spectrum at home, in the community or in the classroom." 

Brad McGarry

Father, Speaker, Author and Director of the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst University

Demetria Ennis-Cole, Professor in the Department of Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas, has degrees in Computer Science and Curriculum & Instruction (emphasis area: Computer Education). She worked in industry as a Programmer for International Business Machines, and spent 6 years at Louisiana State University as a Computer Analyst before accepting a faculty position with The University of North Texas.

Xue Yang is a designer, trainer, and university faculty member who develops and delivers instruction on visual culture and media literacy through the Educational Technology Department of Shanghai International Studies University.

Lin Lin is an Associate Professor of Learning Technologies at The University of North Texas. Lin’s research looks into interactions between the mind, brain, and technology in complex learning environments. She has conducted research on 1) media multitasking; 2) learning in online, blended, and virtual/augmented reality environments. Lin has published over 30 refereed articles in journals including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) of USA, Pediatrics, Educational Technology Research and Development (ETR&D), and Computers and Education in addition to a dozen book chapters and over 60 conference papers. Lin is currently co-editing two books, one focusing on the constructive articulation between learning sciences and instructional technology communities, and another focusing on innovative instructional design approaches. Lin serves as the Associate Director of Texas Center for Educational Technology (TCET), and Co-Director of a Joint-Lab on Big Data, Little Devices, and Life-long Learning. She is Associate Editor for the International Journal of Smart Technology and Learning (IJSmartTL) as well an editorial board member of several other peer-reviewed journals. Lin received her doctoral degree in Instructional Technology and Media at Teachers College, Columbia University.