Exceptional Minds across the Autism Spectrum

Pathways to Success in School and Beyond

Corinne Levitt

In this extraordinary book about embracing the strength-based understanding of learning, Corinne Levitt brings together her own forty years of experience in teaching and integrates research and best practices from the fields of autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, psycholinguistics, neuroplasticity, sensory concerns, and cognitive development.

Exceptional Minds across the Autism Spectrum offers real-life examples of lives affected by ASD and showcases the voices and experiences of Levitt’s students and their families. You will read about the practical and inexpensive techniques and strategies Levitt has developed, along with profiles of leaders in autism education who have shaped the field as it is today.

Exceptional Minds provides a powerful new way of thinking about autism and education, giving the reader the tools to see past student deficits and recognize the potential to learn and thrive.

All net proceeds from this book will be donated to various autism charities and initiatives.

Reviews

“A dedicated teacher looks back on a long career working with students with autism. She presents a positive history of educators and leaders who improved our understanding of autism. There is also a great emphasis on developing a child’s strengths and not becoming locked into labels.”

Temple Grandin author of The Autistic Brain and Thinking in Pictures

“This is an exceptional book about exceptional minds by an exceptional teacher. It insightfully shares forty years of practical day-to-day experience working in the trenches of the classroom, not the ivory tower. Those classrooms have been elementary and secondary, special education and regular with all ages and disabilities. It properly promotes strength-based education which focuses on needs, not labels. It advises how to ‘teach to the talent’ and how to use handicaps or deficits as teaching opportunities. As a side benefit it provides the history and evolution of autism spectrum disorder in as succinct a manner as any I have ever seen. If I were to recommend one book on strength-based education to an established or beginning teacher in any public or private elementary or secondary classroom with special needs children with a variety of learning or other disabilities, this would be the book.”

Darold A. Treffert MD The Treffert Center for Exceptional Minds

After many years of working as a high school English teacher and special educator, Corinne Levitt decided to change direction and work primarily with adolescents with special needs and developmental differences. She wrote this book in recognition of the need to promote the important role an enriched educational experience can have on the lives of students who stand to benefit the most from best educational practices. Her background in learning disabilities, psycholinguistics, and the arts enabled her to “teach to the talent” while encouraging her students to discover and explore their potential. Now in retirement, she is a member of the VIVA Youth Singers and performs alongside many of her former students who encouraged her to discover her voice. Corinne has four adult children and four grandchildren, and lives with her husband in Toronto, Canada, where she was born and raised.

ISBN 978-1-7770589-0-6
$21.00 CAD • $15.95 USD
Published April 2, 2020

5.5 × 8.5 • 270 Pages
Paperback, ebook