“I found this book to be extremely thorough and comprehensive. There are many applications for a text like this. I personally would like to buy about 10 copies and hand them out to all of my child’s special and general education teachers, but I also believe that other team members (psychologists, therapists, and parents) can benefit from this comprehensive resource. The book does an excellent job of painting a picture that will help many “see” autism and understand that a comprehensive plan can make a huge difference. I’ve had the privilege of working with the authors and know that their comprehensive view and strategies have helped my child.” - Doris Fisk

“Ruth and Barry have finally done what so many of us have tried to do for years. The Ziggurat Model is truly a framework for understanding how autism affects a given individual, and for planning interventions that follow from that understanding. What’s more, it does so without diminishing the contributions of so many others in the field who have contributed to our current knowledge. The Ziggurat Model is easy to understand, practical, and could potentially impact the education and support of thousands of people on the autism spectrum.” - Daniel Davidson, Ph.D.

“I love this book! In this much-anticipated publication, Aspy and Grossman have done an exceptional job at providing a user-friendly process and framework for designing comprehensive interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. It is a must-have reference for all educators, clinicians, and parents who work and live with children with ASD.” - Amy E. Bixler Coffin, M.S.

“In the past ten years, I have seen three materials that I believe have the potential to advance the progress of children and youth with ASD. One is the Ziggurat Model. Aspy and Grossman understand AS/HFA in a way that most people do not. They have created a simple-to-use, yet comprehensive model to ensure that children’s needs are met throughout the school day. The Ziggurat program is innovative, based on best practices and focused on the child’s needs. I wish that I would have created this model. It is simply brilliant.” - Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D.

“A practical and helpful book that provides a comprehensive approach to intervention for more able individuals with autism and Asperger Syndrome. The book is enhanced by use of cases and diagrams and has a practical orientation. It will be of great benefit to professionals and parents alike.” -Fred R. Volkmar, M.D.

“With the Ziggurat Model of intervention, Drs. Aspy and Grossman have synthesized the research on program planning and functional behavior assessment into a useful and user-friendly decision model leading to the development of truly comprehensive, functionally determined educational and behavior support plans. Highly recommended.” - Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D., President, Organization for Autism Research

The Ziggurat Model

Release 2.0

Ruth Aspy, Ph.D. and Barry G. Grossman, Ph.D.
Foreword by Gary B. Mesibov, Ph.D., Director of Division TEACCH

The Ziggurat Model
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The Ziggurat Model Textbook Edition
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The Ziggurat Model won the Autism Society’s National award for Literary Work of the Year in Education.

The Ziggurat Model is a system for designing comprehensive interventions for all individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

The status quo of intervention is to treat the visible behaviors.  This narrow, band-aid approach fails to address the true need—underlying hidden deficits—and provide for sustained change.  No single solution is sufficient to resolve complex needs.  The Ziggurat Model is a research-centered system that capitalizes on strengths in order to address underlying needs.  It is assessment driven and provides a framework that guides parents and professionals to ensure that complex needs are fully addressed.

There are five tiers of the Ziggurat which are each supported by research.  As such, the model identifies essential areas required in the development of a research supported intervention plan.

Recent trends in special education law emphasize the use of scientifically based research approaches along with a focus on Response to Intervention (RTI). Additionally, there is a strong push in our schools for incorporating positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) based on a functional behavioral assessment. The Ziggurat Model is consistent with these practices.

The Ziggurat Model is unique – simple to use and comprehensive. While it is easy to find volumes of information describing specific interventions, it is difficult to find information on how to develop an intervention plan.

Designed to simplify a complex process, parents and professionals will find the framework of the Ziggurat Model to be a useful guide in developing more thorough and effective interventions.

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Use the slideshow below to learn more about the Ziggurat Model.  Scroll, using the arrows, and click on the desired image to open the page.

FBA to Z: Functional Behavior and Intervention Plans for Individuals with ASD

Ruth Aspy, Ph.D., Barry G. Grossman, Ph.D., Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D. and Shawn A. Henry, M.S.

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FBA to Z: Functional Behavior and Intervention Plans for Individuals with ASD presents an alternative approach to conducting FBAs that is more holistic than the traditional FBA and considers not just the surface patterns but also the underlying needs related to autism. This revolutionary approach to the FBA highlights the need to understand an individual’s unique needs and strengths within each phase. Using a case study throughout the book, the authors address the unique characteristics of individuals with ASD within the FBA, ultimately resulting in the development of comprehensive, meaningful, and effective interventions, based on the specific needs of the learner.