The Modalities of ISA

A Multi-Modal Approach to Neurodivergent Care: Volume 1: Foundations of ISA Therapy

Non-Fiction - Education
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 02/21/2026
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite

Kristen Peters’ The Modalities of ISA discusses the ISA, or the Integrated Spectrum Analysis Therapy, for neurodivergent individuals, such as those who have autism. The therapy has two main goals. Connection Over Correction emphasizes building a strong, trusting friendship first, rather than just trying to fix a person's behavior. The second goal is Connection Without Expiration, which means using this approach, caring and support for neurodivergent people of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly, throughout their lives. Working with the individual and the family is a Triad Team made up of an autism and behavior expert and a nurse, who collaborate to create a personalized and unified therapy plan. A typical ISA session is a mix of music, art, speech, occupational, and recreational therapies in the same session. By combining these five modalities, therapists build rapport and help neurodivergent people learn new skills through fun activities like drumming, painting, or playing games where it feels like enjoyment rather than routine or hard work.

In The Modalities of ISA, author Kristen Peters introduces a groundbreaking approach to supporting neurodivergent people by prioritizing building trust and friendship (Connection Over Correction) as the most important part, rather than immediate behavioral changes. The book addresses a critical gap in traditional care: the lack of coordination between therapies. It also introduces Connection Without Expiration, which advocates for lifelong support that doesn't end when a child ages out of early intervention. It provides a roadmap for therapists to treat the whole person rather than just a set of symptoms. The author's writing is professional yet deeply compassionate. She balances scientific evidence with stories that show the breakthrough and extraordinary moments of the approach. Therapists, teachers, and parents who want to try new, creative ways to help neurodivergent individuals would benefit most from the book. It's also for those who want to see better and more improved results from ISA’s integrated interdisciplinary program, as opposed to the disconnected and even stressful feeling that comes from fragmented traditional therapy.

Carol Thompson

The Modalities of ISA Therapy: A Multi-Modal Approach to Neurodivergent Care: Volume 1 by Kristen Peters is a comprehensive guide to a multimodal therapeutic model for neurodivergent individuals. The book introduces ISA Therapy, which integrates music, art, speech, occupational, and recreational therapies to create a holistic approach to care. Rooted in the philosophies of "Connection Over Correction" and "Connection Without Expiration," the manual emphasizes building trust and rapport with clients to cultivate meaningful progress. It provides detailed strategies for implementing the ISA approach, including building therapeutic relationships, integrating multiple modalities, and tailoring interventions to individual needs. The book also explores the synergistic effects of combining therapies, highlighting how this integration can accelerate progress and address clients' multifaceted needs. With real-world examples, case vignettes, and practical tools, the manual equips therapists to deliver inclusive, strengths-based care that supports clients across their lifespan.

Kristen Peters writes with clarity and purpose, making an engaging and informative read for professionals in neurodivergent care. The pacing is thoughtful, balancing theoretical foundations with actionable strategies and real-life examples. The inclusion of case vignettes, such as Liam’s story, adds a personal touch and illustrates the transformative impact of the ISA approach. The writing is structured yet flexible, reflecting the dynamic nature of the therapy. Readers will appreciate the practical tools provided, such as session planning sheets and activity guides, which make it easy to translate the concepts into practice. The Modalities of ISA Therapy is ideal for therapists, educators, and caregivers seeking innovative ways to support neurodivergent individuals through creative and collaborative methods. Peters' resource inspires professionals to prioritize connection and creativity in their work, offering a fresh perspective on therapeutic care.

Michelle Gordon

The Modalities of ISA: A Multi-Modal Approach to Neurodivergent Care: Volume 1 by Kristen Peters describes a therapy approach for neurodivergent individuals that combines five different treatments together. This approach is called ISA (Integrated Spectrum Analysis). It combines music, art, speech, occupational, and recreational therapies in a single session rather than separately. Two main concepts drive this approach. First is "Connection Over Correction." This means building trust matters more than fixing problems right away. Second is "Connection Without Expiration." What this simply means is that relationships with clients do not end when formal therapy stops. The book covers the entire process, from the initial evaluation to the structure of daily sessions.

I loved the fact that case studies were included in the book. These were really helpful in making me understand how the whole process works. The author showed people of different ages and different needs, and this made the concepts even clearer. I also had a good picture of how the team approach functions after I read the book. I liked that the author included practical materials and step-by-step instructions. The writing explained a lot of complex therapy ideas in layman's terms, and I appreciated that. The philosophy behind ISA is respecting clients and forming genuine bonds rather than just offering professional services to them. This is something that I valued and respected. I recommend The Modalities of ISA by Kristen Peters to anyone working with neurodivergent clients who want a credible guide that is effective and includes relationships and respect.