1st Edition
Improving Academic Executive Functioning for Autistic Middle Schoolers The Achieving Independence and Mastery in School (AIMS) Clinician Workbook
1. Using the AIMS Intervention Manual 2. Overview of the Achieving Independence and Mastery in School (AIMS) Intervention for Leaders Session 1: Understanding Executive Functioning and How it Impacts Academic Strengths and Challenges Session 2: ABCs of Problem Solving Session 3: Using a Problem-Solving Plan Session 4: Developing a Homework System Session 5: Backpack and Binder Organization Systems Session 6: Using a Planner for Homework Assignments Session 7: Building Effective Study Strategies Session 8: Moving Forward After AIMS
Biography
Amie Duncan is a clinical psychologist in the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She has been working with autistic children, adolescents, and young adults for over 20 years.
Leanne Tamm is a clinical psychologist in the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She specializes in ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, reading disorders, and children born prematurely.
“Achieving Independence and Mastery in School (AIMS) is a well-designed, evidence-based intervention that targets the executive functioning challenges most commonly experienced by autistic youth. It offers clear, practical strategies grounded in neurodiversity-affirming principles, designed to build confidence and self-advocacy around school success. This manual is an essential resource for clinicians and educators supporting autistic students in therapeutic and academic environments.”
Deanna Dow, PhD, Founder & Clinical Director, Spectrum Psych LA
“Autistic adolescents experience significant difficulties in school because of executive functioning problems. Achieving Independence and Mastery in Schools fills a critical gap by offering the rare program developed specifically for autistic youth and rigorously tested in multiple studies. AIMS allows clinicians to support parents and autistic children in working with each other, to learn, practice, and master practical skills that are proven to help autistic students in school.”
Alex Holdaway, PhD, Research Psychologist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
“Providers can deliver the AIMS curriculum with fairly little preparation, and see results. This program was built to address the organizational challenges that so often prevent autistic young people from reaching their goals. There are very few programs that are this comprehensive and clear.”
Susan W. White, Ph.D., ABPP, Doddridge Saxon Chairholder in Clinical Psychology and Director of the Center for Youth Development and Intervention, the University of Alabama
