Product Description
In The Fabric of Autism: Weaving the Threads into a Cogent Theory, Judith Bluestone combines her personal autistic experience with acedemic research and over 40 years of clinical practice to craft a unique and compelling view of the phenomenon called autism. Bluestone's book is both a significant clinical work and a moving memoir that illuminates the humanity beneath the brewildering facade of autism. Infused with rare and hard won insights into the etiology of autistic behaviors, this book weaves the various threads of autism into a sensible theory while simultaneously offering practical tools for strengthening the interactive systems of the body-brain-mind-spirit.The Fabric of Autism takes it's readers on a riveting journey into the world of individuals whoselives are influenced by ASD, most of whom have achieved significant improvements in their communication, general functioning and quality of life with the help of HANDLE- Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency. The Fabric of Autism shows us that compassion, understanding and intuition can co-exisit with neuroscience, as it provides a new view and appreciation of the complex neurological dysfunction labeled autism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

The Fabric of Autism
The theory of why autistic individuals behave the way they do, presented in this book, makes a lot of sense to me.I have a nine-year-old with autism and have recently started the HANDLE (Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency) program with him that was recommended in the book.He is making significant improvements!I love the fact that this book was written by a woman who actually struggled with autistic characteristics herself.This gave her insights into the autistic body and mind that most authors of books on autism have never experienced and don't understand.

Our child is mostly non verbal.We have started many therapy programs with him and seen him make some gains at first but then he gets stuck.According to HANDLE theory, this happens because most autism therapies start too high on the neurodevelopmental ladder.How can you learn to talk when all your mental energy is going into just figuring out where your body is in space, for example.

If the paragraph above describes your child, I would highly recommend this book.

I cannot recommend it highly enough for ASD and SI disorders
I am a Speech-Language Pathologist, who specialized in working with children with speech disorders,related to autistic spectrum and sensory integration disorders.This book is any amazing view for parents and individuals within the spectrum, of sensory disorders. Because Bluestone, herself, had sensory and spectrum deficits, she explains it form the inside out.an excellent resource. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

judith Bluestone
Awesome book.Well written and very informative.We also recommend the handle program as well, good stuff

more than just a book
I read the book quite some time ago and don't remember much of the details.All I know is that it convinced me to give the Handle approach a chance - to give my son a chance in life.We are in the fifth month of a Handle program directly under the author Judith Bluestone.
My son has changed so drastically within the last five months.I am very faithful to the exercises because I see the results which include being able to hear and see at the same time, being able to smell, being able to process sequences of sounds, being able to follow more than two commands, being able to use fingers on one hand without the other hand moving, becoming more social etc etc etc(My son is six years old).
The book comes with exercises to try so you can get an idea of what a full Handle program would be like.
I would like to add that my husband has a PhD in physics and works for NASA.He is very research orientated but when it comes to the Handle program, he just says "whatever you are doing, just keep going!"

I'm a total convert to the HANDLE method
I'm a parent with a teenage girl who has autism, so immeditately I was drawn to a woman who wrote about her own experiences with autism.Our family has been through almost everything imaginable, in trying to effectively treat it. I was absolutely at my wits end when a therapist went to a HANDLE training, and called me several times while she was there, to enthusiastically endorse this different approach to treating autism. Let me just say that my husband is highly educated and is a Harvard-trained physician, so he's not one to pay much attention to anecdotal or new-age claims. But he's every bit as convinced as I am, that this holistic method has greatly improved the brain functioning of our autistic daughter. It's helped her to such a degree that we don't even do any other interventions anymore! Reading this book was the eye-opener I needed, then actually meeting Judith in person, and working with her, and being guided by her, was the clincher. This method works, and I think it ought to be part of everyone's treatment program! I think my very favorite thing about HANDLE is that it's based on what is called "Gentle Enhancement." It's respectful of the changes that you're asking the body to do, and in doing so, it's easy, enjoyable, methodical, and best of all, it's improved my husband's and my brain functioning too! After years of frantic, forced interventions that frankly didn't work as well as we had hoped they would, we are now in such a beautiful place with our family. It's been over a year since we first began the exercises, and the change in our family is nothing short of amazing! We're so calm and unusually happy, because of the changes we only saw happen after trying the HANDLE method. I only wish we hadn't waited so long before we finally tried it! ... Read more

Product Description
Bryna Siegel gives parents of autistic children what they need most: hope. Her first book, The World of the Autistic Child, became an instant classic, illuminating the inaccessible minds of afflicted children. Now she offers an equally insightful, thoroughly practical guide to treating the learning disabilities associated with this heartbreaking disorder.

The trouble with treating autism, Siegel writes, is that it is a spectrum disorder--a combination of a number of symptoms and causes. To one extent or another, it robs the child of social bonds, language, and intimacy--but the extent varies dramatically in each case. The key is to understand each case of autism as a discrete set of learning disabilities, each of which must be treated individually. Siegel explains how to take an inventory of a child's particular disabilities, breaks down the various kinds unique to autism, discusses our current knowledge about each, and reviews the existing strategies for treating them. There is no simple cure for this multifarious disorder, she writes; instead, an individual program, with a unique array of specific treatments, must be constructed for each child. She gives practical guidance for fashioning such a program, empowering parents to take the lead in their child's treatment. At the same time, she cautions against the proliferating, but questionable, treatments hawked to afflicted families. She knows the panic to do something, anything, to help an autistic child, and she offers parents reassurance and support as well as sensible advice, combining knowledge from experience, theory and research.

For parents, autism in a child is heartbreaking. But it need not be overwhelming. Bryna Siegel offers a new understanding, and a practical, thoughtful approach that will give parents new hope. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Best book out there on autism for professionals and parents already trained in methodology related to autism interventions!!!!
Definitely one of the very best books on autism!!! Every teacher, professional, therapist, and parent of children with autism needs this book in their library!

Successful Book Purchase
I recently ordered the book "Helping Children with Autism Learn: Treatment Approaches for Parents and Professionals" and I received the book in less than a week. I was pleased! Thank you.

Happy Costumer

Best professional book for treating Autism
This book is more practical and has a professional outlook. Most of the books on autism are written by parents and offer an insight into theie plight. Yes, this book can be a bit depressing at times, but it's better to be realistic and find a solution.

May have good educational information but is medically very misleading.
I would NOT recommend this book...it is dangerously misleading in places.

Quote from this book: "Similarly, retrospective statistics for US sample have led
the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Institutes of
Health, the Institute of Medicine, and the World Health Organization
all to conclude that vaccines do not cause autism. The "probable
cause" finger was pointed at thimerisol [SIC! correct spelling is thimerasol], a mercury-
containing preservative in vaccines.However, the kind of mercury in
vaccines is different from the "bad" mercury in contaminated foods.
Mercury is a chemical element, like hydrogen or nitrogen--which might
be bad for you, too--and like them, it needs to be studied in the
form of the specific compound being indited."

I don't know whether she is disingenuous or just simply ignorant.
Comparing a toxic heavy metal to hydrogen or nitrogen?? "BAD
mercury"??? There is no GOOD mercury. Ethyl and methyl mercury are both dangerous neurotoxins. And I will not go into all the flaws in the epidemiological studies.

Here's another one:

"Be aware that some practitioners have offered the idea that a child
who eats a lot of one food is "craving" it for either some good or
some bad reason. There is no evidence to support theories of these
sorts.There is also no evidence to support the idea that children
with autism have more food allergies or are more likely to react to
foods with gluten (like wheat products) or casein(like dairy
products).What "research" there is on these things is available
only on the Internet and in books by parents who feel it "cured"
their child or doctors who have "invented" a new diet. There are no
reports in peer-reviewed scientific journals."

Oh, yes, there are. There are peer-reviewed studies showing that there are many more autistic children with IgA deficiency than the general public, there are studies of opioid peptides from milk and wheat, and there is the newly recognized syndrome of gluten ataxia reported in the medical literature. Gluten ataxia results from antibodies that attack not only the gut but the Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, which affect balance and are also affected in autism.I'd skip this book, and certainly not recommend it to any parent of a newly diagnosed child. It may be useful for some educational considerations comparing ABA and TEACCH and various forms of inclusion, but with the misleading information on medical issues I think this book is dangerous.

My PhD is from Cornell, and I worked in the Department of Nutrition there as a Research Associate for 7 years. Of course, it is hard to find peer-reviewed articles on thimerasol if you cannot spell the word. If you do purchase this book, please ignore any statements regarding medical issues.

Yet another excellent book by Bryna Siegel!
I read, "the world of the Autistic Child" a few years ago and it was just the best book on Autism out there.So informative, and such an interesting read.So I was extremely excited when this book was released. I immediately purchased it.You will not be dissapointed!! If you read "the world..." and enjoyed it then you will definately appreciate this book as well.I did however find the previous book more interesting, maybe because I was still "new" to the Autism world.Now after years of reads, and research, well there just isnt much "new" info out there that I haven't already read.Having said that..I still very highly recommend this book to add to anyones collection of books on Autism. ... Read more

Product Description
Once you've determined the purpose of a child's or student's seemingly senseless behavior by doing a functional behavior assessment (FBA), the next step is to work on changing or modifying the behavior. Stop That Seemingly Senseless Behavior! follows up on Dr. Glasberg's previous book, Functional Behavior Assessment for People with Autism, with a guide to developing an effective behavior intervention plan to stop undesirable behaviors such as hitting, screaming, or repetitive questioning.

Stop That Seemingly Senseless Behavior! outlines an educational approach for parents, teachers, adult service providers, and aides that not only quickly reduces the problem behavior but also teaches the individual with autism new skills to get his needs met. It covers:

Review of what an FBA is

How behavior is learned and unlearned

Preventing challenging behavior

Replacement behaviors

Reinforcement techniques

Pros & cons of reinforcement vs. punishment

Interventions tailored to the function of the problem behavior

Collecting and graphing data

Writing behavior intervention plans

Troubleshooting

Positive Behavior Supports

Full of case studies and Keep it Simple tips, plus forms, figures, and graphs, Stop That Seemingly Senseless Behavior! offers families and professionals proven strategies to change a person's challenging behavior, helping him to have a more productive and inclusive future.

An example from the book of an FBA-based intervention:
Marie's problem behavior was swearing. An FBA revealed that Marie's swearing functioned to obtain attention from a preferred teacher. Her behavioral intervention allowed her five fewer swear words per day in order to obtain her reinforcer: 15 minutes of special time with her preferred teacher. In order to increase her chances of success, once Marie was only swearing 20 times per day, the allowed swears were reduced by only one each day. The teachers used a token board to help her visualize how many "swears" she had left. After two months, Marie was down to zero swearing incidents per day, and maintained this decreased level one year later. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must get for anyone who deals with autism on a frequent basis
Autism is a mystery to many, understanding it being truly difficult. "Stop That Seemingly Senseless Behavior: FBA-Based Interventions for People with Autism" is a guide for parents and adults who deal with autistic children, seeking to help them better understand autism and the erratic behavior that comes along with it. With suggestions and advice for dealing with these outbursts and how to deal with them the right way when dealing with autism, "Stop That Seemingly Senseless Behavior" is a must get for anyone who deals with autism on a frequent basis. ... Read more

Product Description
Given the daily challenges of raising a child with autism, it’s easy for parents to lose themselves and for their overall quality of life to plummet. Susan Senator interweaves the voices of autism parents, researchers, and professionals to offer guidance and encouragement on how to find happiness and fulfillment in the midst of the struggles of raising an autistic child. Topics include: how to handle feelings of despair and hopelessness; finding fun, even during turbulent times; caring for your marriage; and finding a balance between accepting your child as he or she is and seeking new treatments.

To learn  more about the author, visit her website at susansenator.com. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

help for mothers of autistic children
I bought this book for my daughter - my grandson is autistic. Mothers of special needs kids need psychological support and most importantly some recognition that the quality of their own lives is important. My son has Aspergers syndrome so I know how difficult it is to maintain a positive outlook on life and a little relief from the inevitable guilt that comes with trying to be happy while raising a special needs child.(this was probably worse in the 60's and 70's than it is today) The title of the book is encouraging in itself.Parents of autistic children need all the help they can get, not only for the child but for themselves.

Parents will find this an inspirational read filled with practical facts
The Autism Mom's Survival Guide (for Dads, Too!) tells how to create a happy family life while raising a child with autism. The experiences of autistic parents, researchers and professionals are revealed in a survey on how to find satisfaction after an autism diagnosis and comes from a mother of three boys, the oldest of whom has autism. Parents will find this an inspirational read filled with practical facts.

great read....
Having become a huge fan of Susan Senator after reading her first book "Making Peace with Autism"...I was anxiously awaiting the release of this book, and, once again, as an autism parent I have been touched and educated. If you have a child with autism, are friends with or related to a family that has an autistic child, or do any sort of work with autistic children, this is a book you need to get. Raising a family offers many challenges, and those are certainly multiplied when you have an autistic child. This book provides a window into the lives of autism parents and strategies that have helped them cope. Do yourself a favor and get this book, and if you haven't read Susan's first book, pick that up as well. Susan has a wonderful writing style which I absolutely love...she certainly tells it like it is, and her honesty is quite refreshing.

More than just a guide
First a disclaimer:I am not the parent of an autistic child.

This new work by Susan Senator, although intended to be of assistance to the parent of autisic children, can be appreciated by anyone.This book is more than just a parenting guide.This book is more than just the story of a parent with an unusual child.This is the story of the personal growth of a remarkable young woman.It is the story of not only accepting the hardships of a particular problem, but of embracing your plight and appreciating all that it is: both good and bad. It is certainly a book that can be appreciated by anyone who is willing to give it a try.

It is also the work of a very gifted writer.Susan Senator takes us into her family to explore how she (and the rest of the family) tackled the everyday adventures of the autistic child.She moves us when she tells us about getting her son a tuxedo for his first "prom" and she intrigues us with her use of belly dancing as an emotional escape.My favorite part is the comparison between the children's game of Candyland with being a parent of an autistic child.

This one is worth a few hours.It is much more than a simple parenting guide.

A great perspective
I am not an autism parent.I have some connections to autism through some family members, but that connection is distant enough that I do not need a survival guide. Nevertheless, I found this book extremely interesting and a most enjoyable read.Susan Senator has an amazing talent to find the single flower in a field of weeds, the one funny moment in a day of disasters.She is honest, real and, in very many ways, inspiring.The epilogue alone is worth the price of the book.I know, who reads the epilogue?Read this one.It is a delight.

This book is a wonderful and enjoyable look into the world of the parent of an autistic child.It is also a wonderful and enjoyable look into the world of remarkable parent.It will be worthwhile reading even if you have absolutely no connection to autism. ... Read more

Product Description
Growing up isn't easy, and the trials and tribulations of being a teenager can be particularly confusing for girls with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). This book covers all the concerns commonly faced by girls with ASDs and their parents, from periods and puberty to worries over friendships and fitting in .
Taking a good look at these adolescent issues, and many more, within the context of specific areas of difficulty for girls with ASDs, the authors provide families with the knowledge and advice they need to help their daughters and the whole family through the teenage years. This book addresses core issues such as cognition, communication, behavior, sensory sensitivities, and social difficulties; it gives candid and realistic advice on a wide range of important teenage topics.
Providing professional perspectives alongside personal experiences from mothers, daughters and educators, this is a unique and comprehensive resource for families and their daughters with ASDs, as well as the teachers and professionals who work with them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Horrible generalizations
I am a 20 year olf female with Asperger's. I bought this book because I thought it might help me understand what is "wrong" with me. Instead it made me uneasy. I don't like how the book goes into gender differences. It is misleading because it makes crazy generaliztions about us, like autistic girls are different from autistic males. I know this is not necessarily true. I aso think ASDs are way overdiagnosed, girls that are merely "shy" are getting labeled because society no longer has any tolerance for introverted personalities, ecspecially in women.
I was diagnosed when I was 9. My mom brought me to see the doctors because she insisted something was "wrong" with me. I went though a lot of testing, and my IQ was 135+...so they told my parents I could go without special help because my IQ was so high, I would be like all the other girls...they couldn't have been more wrong. I was a tomboy, and there was nothing feminine about me. I was NOT "shy," I just hated to talk. When my peers pissed me off at school I would OFTEN get physicaly violent with them. And on top of that I WANTED to be alone all the time, I prefered to play by myself. As I got older I still had absolutely no interest in people or relationships. I liked "boy" things like war, legos, science. Sometimes people would buy me baby dolls for birthdays and such. And I hated them. It felt "unnatural" to me. Babies still make me uneasy.
This book is blatantly sexist and that's what worries me. It puts us all in the same group, that autistic women are just like normal girls, they just have some social difficulty. This is so untrue. I wonder if my mom read this, because I have been fighting her attempts to gender-condition me my whole life. I am still extremely introverted and peopla hate me for it. I am sick of the social expectations that are put on me because I am girl. I am expected to be sweet, caring, talkative, empathetic but I am none of those things. I don't care about them either, I don't want to be like them, it feels unnatural. I would rather spend my energies learning things like math, science. I still have communication troubles, nothing comes out right... I have just started to "know" empathy, but have and never will "feel" it like a normal person.
Despite what this book says there is no substantial evidence for gender differences in our brains. How would you explain boys that are more feminine? This book only serves to reinforce the mold that I have tried so hard to break free from. When I was a teenager I went into a depression because I was not allowed to be myself or pursue my "masculine" interests.
I just had to say something, because if a mother or caregiver reads this book, and decides to try to turn thier "tomboy" around, into a giry girl, it should be a crime. Let your girl be a tomboy if she is, if she says she doesn't want to get married, don't fight her. Let her be who she is and she will be great.
I need to warn parents you could unknowingly put your daughter through a lot of unnecessary pain..

A milestone book!
Shana Nichols et al bravely explore the territory that others steer clear of--puberty, periods, relationships, as well as sex, self-confidence and safety and do it in depth...These are often things that parents won't find it easy to talk about but that they should know. This book is for parents and professionals, but also for females on the spectrum, who will find validation and camaraderie in the anecdotes of other girls and teens with Aspergers or HFA. They should also find it interesting and illuminating to see where the concerns of parents and professional are, for, looking at ourselves through neurotypical eyes, we can learn more about ourselves. This book is all about celebrating strengths but also working on deficits with a bold and open eye.

A Genuine Godsend!
"I hope someday you'll join us and the world will live as one." -- John Lennon, 1971

This is one of the best books for girls on the autism spectrum I have ever read.No parent or professional should be without this gem.

This stellar work is replete with a myriad of information ranging from professional as well as personal accounts of working with girls who are on the autism/Asperger's sepctrum.The writing is sharp and crisp; the information presented is direct and very reader friendly.

Statistics have shown that the majority of people with AutismSpectrum Disorders (ASD) are male.It is longpast time that a body of literature for girls and women on the spectrum addresses the issues that they face.Many girls don't attract notice by professionals as being on the spectrum and are often misdiagnosed at worst, undiagnosed at best until adulthood.Coping with unexplained differences and navigating among neurotypical (NT) peers are major challenges for anyone on the spectrum.Dr. Nichols does an excellent job of addressing this.

The best message contained in this book is that girls on the spectrum are NOT to be marginalized.The world is for everybody and not just the NT population.Dr. Nichols, as does Drs. Tony Attwood and Travis Thompson remove at best, reduce at worst the needless stigma attached to the autism spectrum.This book helps instill a strong sense of Autism Pride!

Teaching Toolkit, a guide to help people explain social and developmental changes to girls is included.The 4 P's (Puberty, Periods, Pads and Pelvic Exams)are brilliantly covered, thus making a parent's job of explaining these developmental matters to girls so much easier.

Related topics such as nutrition, general health, physical activity and overall self image are included.Practical suggestions for bra shopping and adjusting to one's own body are well covered in this book.Sexuality is also discussed seriously and intelligently.It makes a parent's job worlds easier.

The crowning touch is the chronicling of a mother and daughter navigating through these tricky terrains by presenting both perspectives, the mother's and the daughter's.No doubt countless families will find this helpful information in a readymade format.

A standing ovation to the author and every reference cited in this book.I think this is truly one of the standout books on autism and helping girls to cope in a confusing world that sadly, is all too often slanted in favor of the NT population.Girls on the spectrum have long deserved a turn at bat and it is books like this that restore my hope and keep me banging on the high frequency different drum on behalf of everyone on the spectrum.I wish I had had this book when I was growing up.

To Dr. Nichols, I say a very deep and heartfelt "THANK YOU!"

Priceless Resource for Parents, Caretakers & Professionals of Teen/Tween Girls on Autism Spectrum
Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum is an amazing resource chock-full of so much information including professional perspectives and personal experience from mothers, daughters and educators, that I consider this a "must have" for anyone interacting with young ladies in the teens/tweens age group who have ASDs. It is phenomenal just how much information is so effectively contained in 350 pages and, yet, it is presented in such "bite-sized" pieces that one doesn't get lost in a sea of information.

The book touches on the differences between boys and girls on the spectrum as well as how girls sometimes "fly under the radar" generally getting diagnosed later than boys. As well, the roller coaster of challenges that the combination of adolescence with autism presents are covered in depth. A "Teaching Toolkit" with guidelines and techniques is thoroughly highlighted. The 4 P's (Puberty, Periods, Pads and Pelvic Exams) are covered so effectively that a mom will now have confidence and practical "tools" in helping her teen succeed in these areas.

Providing detailed suggestions about health, fitness, body image and even the importance of shopping for her first bra are such practical and useful tips that a mother of any young lady would find them useful. Directly addressing the social "landscape" of friends and social status will help parents navigate these tricky waters and provide opportunities for their daughters.

Addressing healthy sexuality as well as personal safety for girls with ASDs provides parents with straightforward tips and resources for making a tough subject a very manageable learning experience.

The book ends with the proverbial icing on the cake by following a mother and daughter (with ASD) as they progressed through their journey with Asperger's Syndrome. Seeing the story told from both vantage points gives such an invaluable perspective which, I am sure, will help many families know that they are not alone in this journey through autism.

KUDOS to the authors and all the references, resources and internet links that they made available to make this book even more beneficial for readers. I have read stacks of books on autism and I truly believe that GIRLS GROWING UP ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM is a must-have for any family who has a daughter on the autism spectrum. I can definitely see a mother reading, re-reading and highlighting this book as her daughter progresses through various stages of adolescence and life as a girl on the autism spectrum. It is bursting to the seams with useful hands-on proactive approaches to parenting these wonderful and unique young ladies.


Joanna Keating-Velasco, Para-Educator and Author of Kid's Books on Autism
A Is for Autism F Is for Friend: A Kid's Book for Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism
In His Shoes, A Short Journey Through Autism

Wishing I had this book while growing up on the spectrum!
As one of the many women who contributed their experiences to flesh-out this book, I knew this would be a cathartic look at my earlier years.Although I am a self-diagnosed Aspie upon my son's official diagnosis of Autism, I could identify with the myriad traits and antecdotes of other women in the same boat.I applaud the authors for their dedication to shed light on the inner workings of the female psyche, neurotypical or otherwise.Most of the strategies can be used in guiding all girls through the adventures in adolescence!

Although I was excited to participate in this book project, reading it ripped open wounds from long ago.I had forgotten how exactly the painfelt until reading the passages in Chapter 9.It cannot be said enough how much the effects of childhood torment plays into how people attempt to forge a social life.Navigating the school years is tough enough even for typical children.

Some of us never have that innate sense of 'when to do what and how to do it'.As any parent, I want to spare my children undue pain.However, I don't want to handicap them further by sparing them the experiences of conflict that serve to aid their maturity.This book is a resource that should be in every parent's arsenal for raising their daughter who happens to be on the Autism Spectrum. ... Read more

Product Description
The Funny Side of Autism is a book about the funny things children with autism do and say. It is a compilation of short stories related to my own experiences raising two boys with autism, and stories generously shared by people from around the country who have been in some way affected by autism.
There are an abundant amount of books out there having to do with autism, whether they are informational resources, how to guides, or someone's story.
The Funny Side of Autism is the first book of its kind to focus on the positive side of an otherwise dark diagnosis.

Extreme literal thinking often makes it difficult for children with autism to grasp the concept of everyday figures of speech or to reproduce socially acceptable behaviors. However, those excessively literal interpretations can give rise to many funny moments. Those unintentionally hilarious experiences are the focus of this book.

Her goal in writing this book is twofold. She thinks it is important to show a side of autism that is hardly, if ever, portrayed; and two, to maintain public awareness by teaching people how children with autism think. ... Read more

Product Description
Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome is both a practical and a personal account of one ASD student's successful experience of going to college.
This accessible book focuses on how to get there and stay there: deciding to go, how to get in and how to get the most out of it. Ann Palmer advises parents and professionals how to prepare the student for the transition from school and home life to a new environment and educational challenge, and how to support them through potential problems such as academic pressure, living away from home, social integration and appropriate levels of participation in college. She offers helpful strategies that will encourage and inspire parents and students and show that college can be a suitable option for students with an autism spectrum disorder, as well as the basis for a successful independent life later.
This book is essential reading for any parent considering college as an option for their child, disability service providers in colleges and for ASD students themselves. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Good, practical advice
I purchased this book on the recommendation of my college age AS child. I wanted to learn how to provide support and guidance becoming a "helicopter" parent. I was not disappointed. Written from a parent's experiences, this book was practical without being simplistic and optimistic without being naive about the challenges facing AS students. The web sites and other reference material were also very helpful.

A definite "buy"
In brief:I echo all the laudatory remarks written above.Excellent, very "human" book.Another superb and quite new (2009) book on the subject is "Students with Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for College Personnel," by Lorraine E. Wolf, Ph.D.; Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D.; and G. Ruth Kukiela Bork, M.Ed.These two books together provide parents of teens with AS a thorough grounding in what to expect and how to sidestep potential "landmines" during the transition to college.

Wonderfully helpful
As my Asperger's son graduates from a 2 year technical school tonight, I must say that without this book, I doubt we would be where we are today.Ann Palmer, thank you so much!

A mother shares her experience
Imagine that your local ASD parent support group has a member whose son has gone away to college successfully.You know this mom must have done tons of research along the way, from the time her son was first diagnosed until she was moving him into his dorm.She agrees to speak at one of your group meetings.What would you like to ask her?

The answers to your questions are in this book.It's a very personal account of how one family successfully prepared their HFA son for college.When I first began reading, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to use the information in the book because my son's situation is so different from that of the author's child.However, once I got past the sections on early childhood and reached the account of the high school years, I was able to apply the information to my family's situation.

I found the chapter on possible accommodations in college especially helpful.If your child receives any accommodations or services now, you know that it can be hard to find out what is available.I've found that other parents are often the most useful source of information on accommodations, and Ann Palmer proves that to be true.

I also found it very helpful to have a parent's view of how to help a child on the spectrum to become his/her own advocate.I had become nervous reading over and over that college students must be their own advocates, without having an example of how to hand that responsibility over to my son.This book helped with that.

The last chapter, on careers, is a useful introduction to what might come after college.The book also includes a helpful resource list and a sample self-disclosure form.

I got this book through interlibrary loan, but plan to buy my own copy to refer to over the next several years.

A Must-Own For HFA Parents
WONDERFUL book. Full of helpful information for parents of children with HFA or Aspergers who dream of their child going to college. I recomend reading in 9th grade for a good picture of what's to come and what you can do to help pave the road for your ASD child. I got it from the library, but will make this a purchase!

Written by a parent, for parents. Simple and easy to read. You won't get lost in medical lingo
... Read more

Product Description
Having successfully used yoga to combat the stress of their own busy lives, Dion and Stacey Betts discovered its potential for their son Joshua, who has Asperger Syndrome.
This fully-illustrated book combines the authors' professional expertise with their experience of parenting, offering a range of gentle and fun yoga positions and breathing techniques that are effective in dealing with the increased levels of anxiety, disorientation and tactile sensitivity often found in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
The authors give step-by-step descriptions of warming-up, strengthening, calming and tension-releasing exercises that are suitable for reducing coping mechanisms, such as hand-flapping and increasing muscle tone, muscle strength and body awareness. They also offer a range of short and long sequences that can be tailored to fit the needs of the individual child.
Yoga for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is ideal for parents and caregivers who want to use simple yoga techniques to help children with ASDs overcome some of the symptoms of the disorder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not enough guidance
I do not feel that this book offers enough guidance to form an effective program that would meet the needs of individual children. The author feels that the program that she has developed for her child is helpful and I have no reason to think that this is not true for her child.

Great Book!
I LOVE this book!I am a yoga teacher interested in teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.I think I highlighted most of this book, that is how informative and useful it was.Awesome for parents too.

Recommended
In searching for a way to work with a child in the autism spectrum, I stumbled on this book, and was immediately drawn to it, since I have done yoga myself.After reviewing the book online, I tried this with a group of autistic students.They immediately loved the simplified/adapted movements, poses and breathing exercises.
I would recommend this to a parent/teacher or therapist who is working with autistic children/teens.

Pretty good book
My brother has autism. We all try yoga together. He a little slower at it, but my mom says it relaxes him. I'd like to meet the kid in the book. He looks like he is about my age. I think you would like the book. It has a lot of pictures.

Goodbye,

Jason ... Read more

Product Description
Social Stories provide REAL social understanding! Carol Gray developed the Social Story in 1991 to promote social understanding in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Now, nearly twenty years after their inception, Social Stories have become a standard approach for teachers and parents all over the globe, and the stories are more effective than ever!
Winner of an Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award by the Autism Society of America, this 10th Anniversary Edition of The New Social Story Book offers over 150 of the most requested Social Stories, each one professionally written by Carol Gray. But it doesn t end there Carol also teaches you how to write Social Stories yourself! Years of experience and trial-and-error have led to updated Story guidelines. Carol explains her fine-tuned process in the included ten-step learning module The Social StoryTM 10.1 Tutorials perfect for parents and teachers!
INSIDE ARE GEMS SUCH AS:

• Mistakes Can Happen on a Good Day
  
• It Was Fun but Now We re Done
  
• When It Is My Turn to Listen
  
• Saying What I Think with Respect
  
• Learning to Respond to Bullying
  
• Telling My Teacher about a Problem
  
• Fire Drills at School
  
• Moving to a New Home
  
• Children Grow Kind Of Slow
  
• The Truth about Messes
  
• This Place is Busy
  
• and DOZENS MORE!
  

Customer Reviews (6)

Disappointed with the CD
The reason I bought this was so I could get the CD that comes with it and use it to change it to work for my son.It is in PDF format and you are not able to change the things on the CD.Each of these kids is different and it would be extremely helpful if you could change names or photos to be more familiar for the child.I am very disappointed in my purchase.I will try to use the ideas in the book but would probably return it if it was from a local store.

Research-proven and effective
Gray and other scholars have amassed a great deal of research about the effectiveness of social stories, and I've read many of those articles in peer-reviewed research journals. In other words, while a lot of strategies for kids who have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are fad-based or passing, this isn't. My own experience (as a special educator certified in NC in the area of autism) in using social stories attests to that just as much as those research findings do.

This resource includes a CD of social stories, which allows you to access stories and make child-specific changes to them without having to re-type the whole thing. That's a huge help! In the book, you'll find a tutorial section if social stories are new to you. Then there are sections with stories and pictures for:
-Learning with Social Stories (
-Change (8 stories)
-Mistakes (6 stories)
-Me and My Feelings (21 stories, which is fantastic since this is a tough area for kids with ASDs)
-Celebrations and Gifts (11 stories)
-People Skills and Friendship (24 stories)
-Bullying (9 stories)
-Understanding adults (11 stories)
-Home and Community (15 stories)
-School (29 stories)
-Planet earth (21 stories, including 12 about flying on airplanes - this seemed like an oddly titled chapter because most of the stories were only tangentially related to earth)
-And a glossary

This strategy takes time to get used to, but once you're comfortable with it, it can be a great tool for students with social difficulties. While it's been proven with students with ASDs, I've used it with students with emotional and behavioral disabilities and with students who are not socially adept as well.

Bridget's Review
Autism and Asperger's Syndrome are disorders that affect so many people.For a long time I didn't really the severity of these disabilities.Carol's book opens a readers eyes by using real stories.So many children are affected by this illness and the more awareness we create, the better chance we have to cure it.Carol's has a refreshing voice and it's obvious that she cares about both the person suffering from autism and the family.This book should be in every library.I also believe that every parent and teacher should read this book.They will more than likely come into contact with someone who is Autistic and this would be the best way to prepare themselves.

I liked it but he didn't
I am a therapist and used this book with a 10 year old with Asperger's. I really liked the idea and the book, which is beautifully made and printed, and the accompanying CD, but he didn't really care for it. I used several stories and also made a couple customized stories based on her instructions, but while the parent and I liked the stories they weren't much of a hit with this little one either. We then used Jed Baker's picture social skills books, and he loved those. Maybe this approach would work with another child, but for now I am sticking with Jed Baker. I think in the future I may pull from either one depending on the child or skill at hand.

I like the new edition.
This book has real life photos and stories and actions.
Children love it and can relate.
... Read more

Product Description
This book is gives starting points and beginning places for creating meaningful activities for pre-school and elementary-aged students with autism and related special needs. The themes addressed in the book are Colors, Numbers & Shapes, Fall (Sub-theme: All About Me), Winter (Sub-theme: Winter Holidays), Spring, and Summer (Sub-theme: Camping & Going to the Zoo). Each chapter has a list of activities that address some of the skills that are sometimes the most challenging for some individuals with autism.Each theme's unit provides activity ideas specific to the following areas: Joint Attention, Imitation Skills, Communication, Self-Help Skills, Independent Skills, Pre-Vocational Skills, Social Skills, Play Skills, Sensory Involvement, Basic Concept Mastery, Vocabulary/Literacy, Fine Motor, and Gross Motor.Also included at the end of each chapter is an "Implementation Tip" related to one of the suggested activities. ... Read more

Product Description
Finding no books with Biblical references to help her face the challenges of raising a child with special needs, Kathy did intense research to bring back her hope.Listening to the many preachers on TBN and doing Bible studies, she studied Scriptures to help her understand God's plan for her child's life.Doctors and teachers offered no hope and told her to brace herself for the long, dark road she was now on.Raised in a Christian home and active in her local church, she knew in her heart that the God she serves is a God of mercy.

Here are Scriptures to restore your hope, strengthen your faith and show you that God has a plan for your child's life.Scriptures to promise that God is listening to your every prayer, that He is watching the work and efforts being done on behalf of your children.Scriptures that will empower you to be strong and steadfast, reminding you that with God, nothing is impossible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

READ THIS BOOK !!!!
This book has opened my eyes, renewed my faith and brought me even closer to GOD.Reading this book for me was a journey-an eye opening journey-that was well worth the time and effort that I put into it.I saw God in a new and exciting way and I was well aware of His presence in my life and in my son's life.This book gave me a fresh perspective on every day life and reminded me that God is ever present, He's faithful and that His word is true.I would recommend this book to every parent of a child with autism.AWESOME !!!!

Finding God in Autism
This is a well written guide for parents of children with Autism who are searching for answers and guidance in our faith.Although I do not adhere to the interventions the authors have prescribed to, I find that the prayers are helpful for me to understand what my "mission" in life is.It has also helped me to better understand my child and my students - I have come to understand their needs more and find that I am not as stressed or lonely as I once felt. It is a "God-send".

A Voice in the Wilderness-
I bought this book hoping for something to renew my faith; something to "band-aide" over the hurt I was suffering spiritually.What I found was an amazingly familiar story from another mother of a wonderful child with Autism.My husband and I were brought to tears as we read the preface- we are working through these 40 days together now.I highly recommend this book to parents and caregivers of these wonderful children!Finding God in Autism: A Forty Day Devotional for Parents of Autistic Children

A nice Prayer Journal
The author may be planting a hope in some parents that can crush those who are not strong in their faith in God. It is common for parents who just had their child diagnosed with Autism, grasp at anything to "fix" their child. While I do believe that God can Heal or "fix" people I have learned that God is God and has a plan for all of us even if we don't agree, or give Him permission.
As you read this book and even pray through it, please remember, God loves us and knows the big picture for our lives. The diagnosis of Autism is NOT a death sentence, only a new experience.

Better Than Expected
I have been profoundly changed by Kathy Medina's 40 day devotional.It comes out of her own heartbreak in discovering her son's diagnosis.As a parent of an autistic/multi-disabled child, I feel a kinship with her in this "special needs"/therapy world where I don't really want to be.How nice to have a parent deliver a mixture of hope and heartbreak in a very humble and relevant way.We may not have all the answers, but I am guessing that God's heart breaks as much as ours and just because our kids have some disabilities, doesn't mean they can't give glory to God.Kathy reminds us of this over and over again. ... Read more

Product Description
This updated and expanded edition considersthe continuing dismal employment statisticsfor individuals with ASD. The authorstake an in-depth look at entrepreneurship. Using real-life examples, they point out that many of the unique characteristics of individuals on the autism spectrum lend themselves well to entrepreneurial ventures. The book explores many unnoticed aspects of Vocational Rehabilitation programs that provide job training and placement for people with disabilities, as well as Social Security Administration programs that offer vocational assistance. Employment figures and prospects have been updated, and new jobs have been added that are well suited for those on the spectrum. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Decent for an emerging professional
As a recent college graduate with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this book gave me some really good advice about how to get into a career through the 'back-door.' Though I do reasonably well during interviews, the suggestion to supplement an interview with a portfolio was very useful because I can include a link to it on my thank-you emails to interviewers. This way, they have another way to gauge my work rather than relying on what I say or do not say. I thought the worksheets for the informational interviews were helpful along with the chart mapping out special challenges of ASD in the workplace and how one would cope with them. Recognizing my limitations in the workplace and coping with them has helped me be more productive in my current work environment.

Helping Your Children
Temple Grandin is an amazing woman with unparalleled insight to the possibilities for success of Autistic/Asperger's children and young adults.This book has provided great insight and assistance for our family as our twin Asperger sons come of age.

Understanding the possibilities for the "transition plan" from school to the real world is a challenging process. "Developing Talents" helps parents navigate the difficult waters of assisting their children into the world.

Reviewed by:Dr. Jeffrey Wincel (D.Min), author of "Climbing The Mountain of God, The Path to Mystical Discipleship" and "Defying the Trend, Business Ethics and Corporate Morality from a Faith Perspective."

Opening the Door of Understanding
Truly an outstanding effort. Enabled my aspie daughter to greater understand herself and enabled my wife and I to better understand our daughter. Formed the basis for meaningful dialogue that has been absent for many years.

Good book for...
This book will be helpful to teachers and parents that have contact with people with Asperger's or who are high functioning autistic.It would also be helpful for high school age students with autism who are searching for some direction in this all too confusing world.

Great resource!
I have used this book in my practice as a life coach for adults on the autism spectrum. The format makes it easy to use as a discussion guide. The list of resources and web sites at the end of the book are wonderful for enrichment. You don't have to agree with everything in the book. It is a great source for generating conversations around the topics of careers, and the challenges adults on the spectrum meet as they begin their search for a career that is satisfying and that allows them to use their talents to the fullest. ... Read more

Product Description
A Cup of Comfort for Parents of Children with Autism is a collection of inspiring true stories that relates the strength, love, and devotion families like yours draw on daily. These heartwarming tales will connect you to other devoted and courageous parents, while giving light to your blessing-your child.

You will share the power of a family's love with parents such as:

• Karen, who fears that her son with autism will be labeled "the Weird Kid," but instead watches as his peers accept him on the field and in the classroom
• Kathryn, a divorcée who must explain to her teen with autism the abstract concept of love when his father decides to remarry

Customer Reviews (5)

Awesome book!
Very touching stories that will make you laugh, as well as cry. Must read for anyone who's life has been touched by Autism.

comfort for the Soul
I really liked this book as an alternative to the how-to books. This book is a collection of stories by parents who are touched by autism daily. They talk about how they have had to rethink their future and to focus on what is good about right now. It is not a poor me book but a celebration of coming to terms with the blessings a different outlook brings to everyone.

Great short stories for your hand bag
I love this book as I can read a few pages while waiting in the car or in line at the school. Lovely heartwarming true life stories of families fighting and finding family love with autism.

My copy is now well worn from being passed around mother to mother.

Enjoy !

A Cup of Comfort for Autism
Loved this book! It is great to know that others are having some of the same feelings that I am.

Wonderful!
I have a 9.5yo son with Asperger's.It has been a roller coaster journey since he was born.I've read several compilation books about living with a child with autism, but this is BY FAR the most honest, gritty, inspiring, and joy provoking book of its kind.The stories are REAL, and there are SO MANY that the many facets of autism are shown.I nodded my head along with most of them.If you have a child on the autism spectrum, buy this book.It will soothe your soul. ... Read more

Product Description
A Regular Guy: Growing Up With Autism is a memoir about life with an autistic son, Matthew, written from his mother s perspective. It answers the many questions that people have about autism through the story of Matthew s life spanning from babyhood to young adulthood. A Regular Guy illustrates the many ways in which family, friends and strangers are touched by Matthew s desperate desire to be a regular guy, and how his brutal honesty and social awkwardness bring out the best and worst in people in touching and humorous ways. In turn, A Regular Guy leads readers to love and accept Matthew, quirks and all, and inspires them to understand and tolerate the differences in others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

great book with something missing
This was a terrific book, but I was puzzled by one omission.Mrs. Shumaker says nothing about what she thinks caused her son's autism.Surely she gave this quite a bit of thought over the years, but I don't remember one sentence about it.

She says in the book that her son was always different, but also says that she first noticed he was different around age one.She also says he "started talking like other babies around one and then stopped."What happened at age one?

That curious silence aside (hers, not Matthew's), the book makes you cry, then laugh, then cry again.

Love This Book
my granddaughter is on the Autism spectrum and I ordered this book. I loved it. I've given it to friends and family to read. Reads like a story. Quick easy chapters. Would recommend it. Loved it :)

Brilliant!!!
I read your book in a heartbeat, in one day. I am amazed at your grace after everything you have been through. I admired your son, too. I admire and I love your whole family. What an amazing story. It gave me hope for myself and my daughter, both of us have Asperger. It is impossible to get help for her, because she's "too high functioning", but she barely functions anymore, me...I am "too old" to get help...anyway, I love your story, it made me laugh and it made me cry, you did the right things, he will be OK, I just know it...I have no words to describe how I felt reading it. Thank you!!!
Elena.

Across the Universe - Fitting a Piece Into the Puzzle
On May 22, 1986 when Matthew Shumaker was born, the world was inching closer towards tolerance and understanding of autism.Matthew showed autistic behavior from infancy.He did not socialize with peers; played with spools of recording tapes; loved drains and spinning the wheels of toy vehicles and had delayed language development."Words are flying out like endless rain into a paper cup; they slither while, they pass, they slip away across the universe." -- Beatles 1970

His brother Andy, born May 17, 1988 was Matthew's social opposite.A mediator and peacemaker from toddlerhood, Andy supported and defended his older brother from cruel peers and misguided strangers.He understood Matthew's placement in special needs classes and often acted as Matthew's social interpreter.Many of the exchanges Laura Shumaker had with Andy are heartwarming; it is clear to see that Andy was blessed with the gift of empathy and compassion from the start.Their younger brother John, born in 1992, would follow in Andy's footsteps developmentally.

Matthew was desperate and determined to fit in socially.As a child, he would ask repetitive questions about which states and how many airports people visited.He would often make blunt comments about people's appearance and no amount of coaching and explaining appeared to register.On one occasion, he practically had a sitter leave in tears because he kept commenting about her weight and what she ate."Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box.They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe."-- Beatles, 1970

Matthew, ever socially challenged would sneak off the property on his bike to try to meet with other kids.When he was 13 and 14 (this would have been 1999-00 and not March of 2002 as was recorded in the book), he was involved in a bicycle accident that resulted in injury to another child and a lawsuit ensued.Matthew fled the scene and had trouble answering questions about the accident when it was brought to his attention.

Matthew's troubles appeared to accelerate once he reached puberty.Socially naive, he failed to recognize ridicule for what it was.Cruel peers would tell him to do ludicrous and embarrassing things and Matthew thought these kids were his friends.Andy rushed to his defense and Matthew was crushed because he "didn't know what friends DID do.""Sounds of laughter, shades of earth are ringing through my open views inciting and inviting me." -- Beatles 1970

Andy, on the other hand did understand the concept of friendship.I just loved the way he went along with Laura when she insisted on throwing him a surprise party in 2000 because he didn't want one in the first place.I really loved Matthew's point-blank refusal to attend his own 14th birthday party because he didn't want to be associated with his special needs classmates, the only guests who would attend.

Two things that angered me was when a rude shopclerk ridiculed Matthew to Laura after he tried to engage her in a discussion about poisonous plants; the other thing that irked me was when someone asked if Matthew was "brilliant like Rain Man."How I hate Rain Man!That term is a slur against people with autism and the irony of it all is that prodigious savantism affects less than 10% of the autism population!How thoroughly disgusted I was with that shopclerk for deriding Matthew!

One especially sad part in the book was when Matthew got into an altercation with his father.Peter had naturally reached the breaking point with Matthew's aberrant behavior which, on this occasion resulted in Matthew throwing a rock at a woman who looked askance at him.The police were called and Matthew tried to make a personal friend out of the officer who arrived on the scene.

It was sad, really.It turned my stomach and made me sad when Matthew asked the officer (who had once before talked to Matthew about NEVER throwing rocks for ANY reason) if he "shot bad guys."The "good guy bad guy" talk was sad as it sounded like the kind of thing a 5-year-old would say.It irked and saddened me when Matthew said "I hope he gets those bad guys," "Does Officer Jones think I'm a good guy or a bad guy" and "I'm a good guy," when the officer left.The irony of this unfortunate event and that stomach turning exchange was that in trying to show he was a "regular guy," verbiage Matthew routinely used to describe himself only underscored his differences.

The officer did an exemplary job of responding to Matthew with respect and diffusing a volatile scene.

On a related note, the San Francisco Chronicle article about Matthew dated 1/15/06 includes an anecdote about Matthew, then 19 wanting to go into the barbershop unescorted "like a regular guy," yet insisting on wearing a Jr. Sheriff sticker because he "wanted people to think" he "took care of bad guys."That was very sad and the kind of thing a child 1/4 of his age might say and do.

There were some genuinely funny parts.John and Andy traded Matthew stories and laughed affectionately.The stories the boys related were funny, such as when Matthew asked a little person if he was a man or a boy.Matthew's insistence on walking into his dentist's office alone "like a regular man," and insisting on finishing a Care Bears book in the company of others in the waiting room lent a note of poignant, bittersweet humor.

Matthew, ever a Beatles' fan (good taste in music) related to the 1966 Paul McCartney classic, "Eleanor Rigby," as he identified with "all of the lonely people, where do they all come from."He wanted so badly to be seen as "All Together Now" instead.

The Shumakers hired students to coach Matthew; one especially kind young man named Ben would take Matthew to visit his campus and meet his friends.He would gently coach and guide Matthew in how to talk to people, as Matthew had a tendency to ask questions and make comments many found bizarre.Matthew flourished under Ben's kind tutleage.

School was one place where Matthew did NOT flourish.His social difficulties precluded him from finding his niche there; he would often sneak into a "regular" class and pretend to be a student there.When discovered, he would loudly protest being returned to the special needs class.His innocent misreading of people resulted in a tragic misunderstanding and the end of high school for Matthew.(This incident, along with the bicycle incident are given as taking place within a month of each other in a 1/15/2006 article of the "San Francisco Chronicle."

After his one disastrous year in the local high school, the Shumakers set out to find a good residential placement for Matthew.After visiting several unsatisfactory places in their area and on the East Coast, they found the ideal fit for Matthew at the Camphill Community in Pennsylvania.It warmed my heart to read of how Bernie, David and Guy, the immediate staff there wanted Matthew and vowed they had the right program for him.Indeed, these men and the rest of the staff and residents alike (a community of "diverse abilities," as they are called - I LIKE that) all made inroads into Matthew's social difficulties and helped accelerate his progress.

Matthew's disastrous attempt to connect with girls on a romantic level was very sad.Shortly after his arrival at Camphill, Matthew, then 15 (15 in the book, 16 in the newspaper article) and Laura visited a girl with autism in whom Matthew showed an interest.Matthew made many comments that rang the death knell for any bond with the girl's parents and the girl herself, severely autistic did not appear to understand the involvement a physical relationship would entail.The saddest part of all was when Matthew said upon leaving that the family wanted him to stay, but he "was a busy guy."He did not see how his behavior had the opposite effect.

Also sad was Matthew's tendency to greet people with the statement that he was not to be messed with; such a statement suggested a hostile posture.

Luckily, it is Camphill to the rescue.Matthew's teachers and counselors discussed the aspects of romance and what such a relationship would mean.They cultivated his childhood special interest in gardening and, on visits home, Matthew performed landscaping work throughout his neighborhood.His reputation in his home neighborhood was enhanced by his landscaping prowess.

The Beatles' 1970 classic "Across the Universe" could easily be the soundtrack of this book.

Sad, irrelevant story with no hope...
Yes, I'm sure that any family with an autistic child will relate to this heartfelt story BUT it really is not relevant today because so little was known about autism when this child was diagnosed almost 20 years ago. I understand that the mother needed to vent - but I really wish she had just written her own diary. ... Read more

Product Description

Autism is a complex and incurable constellation of bizarre behaviors, impaired cognition, limited language, and most distressingly, a lack of responsiveness to other people, and it has been the center of impassioned debates for decades. What is it? What causes it? How can it be treated?

In The Science and Fiction of Autism, one of the country's leading experts in behavioral treatments approaches autism through the context of its controversies, showing where extraordinary and unfounded claims have falsely raised hopes, stirred fears, and ruined lives. Arguing that autism is an entirely biological disorder, however complex its neurological origins, Laura Schreibman lays waste to the beliefs that it is caused by "refrigerator mothers" or the MMR vaccine, as well as to the simplistic claims that it can be cured by a variety of unsubstantiated treatments.

Drawing from her own long clinical experience with autistic children and their parents, Schreibman arms her readers--students, educators, psychologists, and parents alike--with information and arguments to deal with the onslaught of good, bad, deficient, and irrelevant ideas about autism.

Customer Reviews (8)

Some science, a lot of science fiction (would give it zero stars if I could)
In her book, Schreibman dismisses therapies that have been proven effective, including Sensory Integration and facilitated communication. Anyone who quotes James Randi as a scientific source is flaky to begin with, but to write a supposedly "expert" review of FC and completely exclude any mention of Sue Rubin or the numerous others who have graduated from facilitated to completly independent communication and have confirmed that what they said under facilitation was what they wanted to say is a combination of laziness and stupidity.

Secondly pretending that there are any merits to the Lovaas approach prove her lack of qualification to speak as a supposed expert on autism. Perhaps by applying the tortures inflicted by Lovaas on defenseless children I could turn Schreibman into someone who actually does some critical thinking before writing patent nonsense.

The few, and very few, good points of this book are in the way Schreibman deals with the biomedical myths of autism. That said, writing this drivel and then taking down the easiest target there is does not excuse this drek.

One of the best books out there on autism
My grandson was diagnosed on the autism spectrum when he was 2 years old. I have been reading as much as I can on the subject. My son, a pediatrician, recommended this book. I heartily recommend it also.

depressing
This book will prove very discouraging to a parent looking for answers.It's all, "well on the one hand this may work but on the other hand it hasn't been proven" so what's a parent to do in the meantime - Dr. Schrieibman doesn't say.She also dimisses "Options" as a useful method without even getting its name right. If you're looking for hope, I recommend Let Me Hear Your Voice by Catherine Maurice for a well documented success story.

Stylistically pedestrian but has useful information
How to write about autism in a populist tone and not lose the science pitch?This is the dilemma haunting this book.To be fair, it handles it it reasonably.

This book will be of interest to parents with autistic children (Kanner or classical autism, rather than Asperger Syndrome). Understandably the book trots out a lot of what is in other works (diagnosis, behaviours, etc). The upswing is review of various treatments and interventions, including facilitated communication.As the author point out many of the treatments have been debunked, but then comes down very positively on the side of ABA.It would have been helpful if some of the counterarguments against ABA had been laid out.There are several interesting recommedations for improving services which may possibly pan out for parents groups and activist committees.

It is difficult to make the transition from writing academic papers to popular print, and writing style is probably where the book is most shakey. It is not a page turner, but it is still relatively readable with a little perseverance.

Excellent Resource
This book is for people who:want to understand how the medical community thinks about autism; want a comprehensive overview of the various autism treatements and theories; or would like a framework for evaluating theories and treatments for autism.

This book is not for people who:have embraced treatments not endorsed by the medical community and aren't interested in having those ideas challenged; want a book that entertains as well as educates; want to hear about the latest miracle cure.


The author of this book comes from the mainstream medical community.If the author didn't tell you this up front, it would still be obvious from the way the book is written.Even though the book is written for a lay audience, its tone reminds me of technical papers like you'd find in a professional journal.There's nothing wrong with that as long as you can understand it, which you can.Still, it doesn't exactly make for a "fun" reading experience.

Dr. Schreibman provides some truly useful information here.First, you get a pretty good overview of past and present theories of what causes autism.You get a similar overview of autism treatments, past and present.Third, you get a call for sanity when evaluating theories and treatments, and a framework in which to base that sanity (namely the scientific method).And finally, you get the author's science-rooted opinions of most of the theories and treatments she discusses.

I was at least somewhat familiar with just about everything discussed in the book.There weren't a lot of new ideas here.But having everything spelled out in a single resource, complete with the theoritical basis for treatments, comparisons between various approaches, and the results of scientific scrutiny, I came away with a much better understanding.

I also got a better feel for the medical community's perspective on these issues.I didn't always agree with Dr. Schriebman's conclusions, but that didn't diminish the book's value.As an aside, I find it interesting that in spite of the author's cheerleading for science-based evaluation, the medical community still seems to pick and choose which unproven aspects of autism to accept and which to disregard.With a complex and varied disorder like autism it is both impossible and inappropriate to completely remove subjectivity, as long as we don't ignore objective evidence.More of the medical community should learn to recognize that fact.

I learned a lot from this book, and found how to fit a lot of what I already knew into the bigger picture.With a more complete perspective, new questions came up.I would love to sit down with the author to talk about autism treatment and research.I'd ask her the questions the book didn't answer, and I'd debate some of the conclusions that didn't make sense to me.You know a book is good when it makes you ponder questions you didn't know you had.If it wasn't so dry I would have given it five stars. ... Read more

Product Description
Most young children with autism have significant delays in acquiring communication skills, a hallmark characteristic of autism. But with intensive early intervention and Applied Behavior Analysis techniques, children can be taught how to communicate successfully, even before they acquire the ability to use speech.

A PICTURE'S WORTH examines the value of non-verbal communication strategies for children with autism, and presents the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) in detail. PECS is a communication system that allows a child to use a picture (or series of pictures) to express his needs and desires without a prompt or cue from another person. Authors Bondy and Frost co-developed PECS during many years of experience working with children with autism, and now share their expertise in this easy-to-understand guide for parents.

After a thorough review of verbal communication development, A PICTURE'S WORTH explains how autism affects the acquisition and progression of those skills. Without the ability to express themselves, children with autism experience a high level of frustration, which is the root cause of many undesirable behaviors. The book explores the relationship between behavior and communication, teaching parents how to recognize patterns in their own child’s behavior and when to begin a visual communication program such as PECS.

The authors recommend that parents teach PECS in a succession of six phases. Each phase builds on the previous one, until a child is capable of constructing sentences with pictures to make requests and comments about his surroundings. The book provides many real-life case studies, along with a complete series of lessons, from beginner to more advanced PECS techniques.

There is no minimum age or cognitive level required for a child to begin learning PECS. While PECS is frequently used with children who are non-verbal, it has been used effectively with kids who speak, but do not initiate communication. And contrary to many parents’ concerns, PECS does not inhibit a child’s ability to acquire and use speech. A PICTURE'S WORTH promises the opportunity for most children with autism to acquire meaningful and effective communication skills. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A Picture's Worth: PECS andOther Visual Communication Strategies in Autism
I find this extremely practical and well presented. Detailed examples of actual working practice are given that are both helpful and thought-provoking. It gives excellent explanations of both the why and how for using PECS. It makes a complicated area immediately accessible and is written by the absolute experts, the two people who invented PECS. I especially like the way they put PECS into the wider context of how we all communicate.

A Picture's Worth
This book was written by the developers of PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and the founders of Pyramid Educational Consultants, Dr. Andy Bondy and Lori Frost.Bondy and Frost bring their wealth of knowledge and their many years of experience to this easy to understand book.This book examines the value of nonverbal communication strategies for individuals with autism and other related developmental disabilities in addition to describing PECS.A Picture's Worth is a fantastic book for parents and professionals that are still exploring visual communication strategies for their child or student.

This is an immensely helpful resource for parents and professionals with a focus on the following topics:defining communication, understanding communication, the relationship between behavior and communication, augmentative and alternative communication systems and using visual strategies to enhance understanding.

In addition, this book provides information about the development of PECS and a brief overview of all six phase of PECS.Though this book is geared mainly toward visual communication strategies and PECS for non-verbal individuals, there is also a section that explores the relationship between PECS and speech.

Several useful tables are located throughout the book.My favorite table outlines the most frequent mistakes in each phase of PECS.I found the Resource Guide at the back of the book helpful as well!

It is important to point out that this book is not a training manual for PECS. If you want to learn how to implement PECS effectively, I would suggest reading the PECS Training Manual and attending PECS training.Check out these other books written by Bondy and Frost:

Autism 24/7: A Family Guide to Learning at Home and in the Community (Topics in Autism)
PECS: The Picture Exchange Communication System

For non-verbal child - this is a great book!
It is truly frustrating when your child who should speak - can't speak. Just because they cannot speak - does not mean they DON'T understand. They do understand. It is just that they way of showing you they understand is not available to them yet.
This is a great book for helping you get introduced to PECS (Picture Exchange System) and scheduling.This book helped me get started on giving my autistic son WORDS he could not express.
With this book buy an inexpensive digital camera, plastic laminate and an inexpensive color printer because PECS will change your childs life.This book will help you get started.
We started PECS with Jeff just under three years of age. After 2 weeks he was making requests with single pictures and NO LONGER TANTRUMING BECAUSE HE WAS FRUSTRATED!HE COULD COMMUNICATE. Fast forward to age five and Jeff can read over 500 words, write sentences because he used PECS.PECS changed my son's life and made the beginning process of communication before speech possible.

(Happy ending, Jeff now speaks!)
Start here..

Ok, but not instructional enough
My son, 3, has been using PECS for 6 months now and I bought this book hoping to find more instruction on the use of PECS and different sentence structures.While the book gives a good overview of the system, I think there is far too little concrete information for parents wishing to implement PECS in a home environment.I was disappointed that right when I thought the author would go into detail about a topic, he simply referred to another publication for more information.

If a parent is looking for real instruction on using PECS, I would recommend the instructional manual sold by Pyramid Educational Products.PECS is a very useful tool in gaining understanding and speech in autistic children.This book just isn't the best way to go about learning how to implement the program.

Ok, but not instructional enough
My son, 3, has been using PECS for 6 months now and I bought this book hoping to find more instruction on the use of PECS and different sentence structures.While the book gives a good overview of the system, I think there is far too little concrete information for parents wishing to implement PECS in a home environment.I was disappointed that right when I thought the author would go into detail about a topic, he simply referred to another publication for more information.

If a parent is looking for real instruction on using PECS, I would recommend the instructional manual sold by Pyramid Educational Products.PECS is a very useful tool in gaining understanding and speech in autistic children.This book just isn't the best way to go about learning how to implement the program. ... Read more

Product Description
Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD is an authoritative, comprehensive, and easy-to-read resource guide to a wide range of therapies that have been useful in the treatment of autism including antifungal and antibacterial therapies, gluten and casein restriction, homeopathy, vitamin therapy, gamma globulin treatment, transfer factor therapies, treatment of food allergies, and alternatives to antibiotic therapy. The information in this book may be useful not only in the field of autism but also in virtually any disorder in which some of the symptoms of autism are sometimes or frequently present. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Great information
My wife is a retired RN. This book was recommended by my neice who used it for her graduate work. My wife is amazed by the research and information in this book. She has been telling all her family what is in the book and is mad the government keeps going after the authors. She loves this book and says it should be a must read. See what our government is forcing on our babies.

Makes one have hope
Our son has PDD, primarily Speech delay, and we were looking for something that would advise us as to what would be beneficial for him, pasthis 5 days a week of school, 3 days a week of Speech therapy, andtwo days of Occupational Therapy. Realise it is early, and That we have not been able to follow the reccomendations of this book for and extensive period of time, soheres hoping that the reccomendations the book makes works for our son. We can tell you the following. Given the reccomendations, we have seen for this book, and how it is written, its very interesting reading and easy to understand for parents like us who are struggling and just searching for some help for our child. We have optimism since reading this book, and actually feel as if some of the suggestions it makes will make a positive outcome for our son, along with some hard work and dedication.

Credible??? I just don't know
While I think what the author is trying to do here is a good thing. He's trying to let parents of kids with Autism and related disorders know there are alternative treatments out there and they don't have to settle for the blanket hopeless statement doctors tell them about autism being non curable. But I found the book focused on promoting the use of his great plains labratory which I believe is now shut down which makes me question the credibility of the books contents. And if what he says is true about his labratory being the only labratory to do much tests than it makes much of this book useless. Also, if you can't afford the treatments he speaks of it will leave you feeling really helpless.

Tons of info
Read this twice... It has so much stuff in it and you do not want to miss any of it.Great stuff.I am over whelmed by it.It is a must...Not one thing was forgoten in this book.I know at least a dozen people who would recommend this book.. The author knows his stuff.

Does not work
I have spent thousands of dollars in these treatments for my son over last 3 years with no difference at all. Feel free to contact me personally.

Dr. and people like these are out there to victimize parents of autistic kids. ... Read more

Product Description
There is still a great deal to learn about childhood disorders like autism and ADD, but we do know that for some individuals, changes in diet can make a significant difference. In addition to improved physical symptoms (such as skin rashes or digestive problems), behavioral and learning problems can also improve through dietary intervention. This reference guide includes discussion of the research behind dietary interventions and the principles behind the different types of diets discussed.
The Encyclopedia for Dietary Interventions is an easy-to-use reference guide. Its alphabetized entries include all the important terms, concepts and theories behind every diet currently being used, as well as a thorough discussion of the diets themselves. The length of entries varies, with long entries for complicated concepts and short definitions for simpler terms. Extensive footnotes will lead the interested reader to primary and secondary references.
Physicians who see patients on the autism spectrum will find the book a useful resource, and will want to recommend it to parents. Parents struggling to keep up with the latest theories will find it a life-saving reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

TACA Families love this resource!
Back in 2000 when I heard about this "diet for autism," Karyn Seroussi and Lisa Lewis became my new best friends. Their books guided me through all of the particulars of the diet for my son.

Their new book is an amazing resource, and one that I recommend to all of our families looking for nutritional help for their children. This is an invaluable reference tool that will save caregivers hours of research. As usual, the Seroussi/Lewis team makes it easy!Thanks Karyn & Lisa!

A "must have" book for dietary intervention for Autism
This book is for newbies as well as veterans of dietary intervention for Autism.It is easy to understand, and extremely informative.

We've followed a special diet for my son since he was 5, for over 8 years now, and it has been the best intervention to halt his Autism.

Thank you for this book, Karyn & Lisa!

MUST HAVE
Out of the hundreds of dollars I have spent on books, this is the one everyone should have.It's quite possible the best resource you could have.This book is one to keep handy and to keep sanity.

Just what you need!
I am a consultant in autism nutrition, this book is the perfect resource for parents and practitioners.

There are always so many questions when starting dietary interventions.This book gives you answers in a concise, easy to read and (more importantly) in an easy to understand format.

This new book along with Special Diets for Special Kids are invaluable resources.Highly recommended.

Great resource for new and old alike
This book is just what the autism community needs to get people going with diet intervention.I started four years ago and since then the sea change in perception about diets helping kids with autism has been amazing.This is the perfect book for those who are starting out and are overwhelmed by all the info and various diets out there.

Great to give your therapists and doctors as well for a reference, and helpful to have around for a simple but thorough explanation of all of the biomedical and biochemical issues.

I also recommend the Special Diets for Special Kids Cookbooks by Lisa Lewis and of course Unraveling the Mysteries of Autism and PDD by Karyn Seroussi's (a memoir about her sons recovery) is a big inspiration. ... Read more

Product Description
Children on the Autism Spectrum often grow up to find they are unable to cope effectively with the challenges of adult life. This book shows that, with the appropriate lifelong care from parents and carers, it is possible for those with neurodevelopmental disabilities to achieve supported independence and live fulfilling adult lives.

Adults on the Autism Spectrum Leave the Nest provides a guide for parents on how to prepare their children for adulthood, and describes in detail the kinds of services people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) need in order to live independently, away from the parental home. The author explains the importance of the cognitive abilities that enable us to regulate behavior and adapt to changing situations, known as Executive Functions, and how an individual's deficits in this area can be especially problematic in the adult world. The book provides approaches to managing Executive Function Deficits and describes an innovative therapeutic program that successfully allows adults with ASDs to live with their peers and develop meaningful adult relationships.

This book provides practical and accessible guidance for parents, therapists, people with ASDs, and anyone with an interest in helping people on the Autism Spectrum lead their lives with a sense of dignity and independence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Genuine Godsend!
For adults on the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum, their families, educators and medical professionals, make this book your best friend.Dr. Perry can rightfully take a place among other esteemed experts on a/A, such as Dr. Travis Thompson, Dr. Tony Attwood and Mr. Nick Durbin, author and person with Asperger's Syndrome (AS).

This truly outstanding book takes on relevant questions about behavioral issues for people on the a/A spectrum.Behaviors ranging from highly problematic such as meltdowns to the more moderate to mild issues of uttering non sequiturs and not reading others well are brilliantly addressed in this book.


Dr. Perry writes in a straight forward and nonjudmental way.Her eagle eyed perceptiveness and sensitivity to families as well as people on the spectrum themselves shine like a beacon throughout the book.Compassion underscores the suggestions and strategies outlined in this book.It is ideal for families with adult and young adult members who are on the a/A spectrum.

This book does indeed deserve a place of high honor among the pantheon of experts on the subject.I think we ought to raise our glasses and toast Dr. Perry for this invaluable work.

Thank you, Dr. Perry!

Adults on the Autism Spectrum Leave the Nest
I have been a child advocate for over forty years since my youngest child had unidentified issues that kept her from conformity.As this author points out, in the l960's ADHD was just beginning to be recognized.Her youngest son has lived with me for over six years and was finally labeled
Aspergers.

How I wish this book had been available to help our family over those many decades.The author knows the subject.How rare that is in the world of syndroms and disability!By reading and rereading this book I know this month that my ADHD girl probably is/was on the autism spectrum.
What a shock that I hadn't figured that out before.

There is a potential plan is this book for leading your child to become an independent adult.It may be too late for us to pull it off since we are in our 70's but I strongly recommend this book.It brings understanding and, most importantly, it brings hope.A must read!

Indispensable guide for parents
I am the father of a preteen son with an autistic spectrum disorder.My wife and I have struggled with many questions addressed in this excellent book.We know we should be giving our son a consistent message, but often find that we disagree on the best approach to take with him for problems like temper tantrums, lying, refusing to bathe, his bluntness/apparent rudeness with other people.And we're never quite sure how much of his misbehavior is willful and how much of it is due to his disability.So we are often feel frustrated (that he doesn't seem to learn from the consequences we give him), exhausted (sometimes we just don't have the energy to be consistent with him), and guilty (that we are not doing enough).

Dr. Perry has tackled all our questions one at a time, in a compelling and practical manner.My wife and I read this book together and have been able to implement many of her suggestions.One of the best things we got from this book is that we now agree on our approach!We are really trying to pick up on her objectivity so that we can be less reactive and feel less guilty.We think she sets the right tone--positive and supportive, but firm and consistent.Already we have seen fewer tantrums in our son.

As we were reading the book, we felt we were being guided by a kind, wise, nonjudgmental friend who wants the best for us as well as our child.It is truly a godsend for parents like us.We can now see our way through to our son's adulthood and how we can best prepare him to live apart from us.I can't tell you what a relief this is!

This book has a place of high honor in our household and deserves to be in every home with a child on the autistic spectrum.Thank you, Dr. Perry!

Informative, accessible, and a pleasure to read
As a psychologist with a strong background in neuropsychology, I am delighted at the unique contribution this book makes to my field.There are many books that address the needs of children with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), but none that guide parents to help their children live independently once they reach adulthood.I have a special interest in ASD because of my 25-year-old nephew whose hydrocephalus has left him with many executive function deficits that have significantly affected his ability to live independently, keep a job, and function socially.His deficits are so subtle that they are often misunderstood by the people who know and care about him.I have already ordered copies of this book for them.

This highly accessible book springs from Dr. Perry's personal experience growing up with two sisters with disabilities as well as her extensive clinical experience working with adults with ASD.It meets parents where they live, addressing their hopes and fears as well as offering practical advice for dealing with the everyday challenges unique to this population--challenges like managing money, lying, making friends, being sexually active, honoring commitments.It addresses parental guilt and acceptance with the compassion and insight.Dr. Perry gives down-to-earth explanations of complex constructs, like initiation, self-monitoring, impulsivity, empathy, and emotion and attention regulation.And a bonus:She describes these and other executive functions with such clarity that after reading this book you will find greater insight into not only your child's behavior, but also into the workings of your own brain.The tone is positive and supportive without shying away from the very real difficulties that ASD presents.

This book as an essential resource for therapists, employers, parents, concerned family members, and anyone else who cares about and works with adults with an ASD.The many case examples capture the essence and uniqueness of adults with this complex condition.She offers a good balance of first person reports, case examples, clinical information, and practical suggestions.It is both informative and a pleasure to read.I highly recommend it.

adults with autism
This very accessible and enjoyable book is designed for parents and care providers of adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Although there has been much focus on children with autism, this book couldn't be more timely. These kids are growing up and, as the author points out, many parents will want to come up with alternatives to keeping them at home for the health and well being of everyone involved. This book offers concrete suggestions and solutions. Recommended reading for anyone involved in the welfare and education of adults with autism. ... Read more

Product Description
The early years are the most critical period of learning for a child with autism. Therapeutic art-making can be a useful tool to tap into their imaginations and help them to express their thoughts and feelings. "Art as an Early Intervention Tool for Children with Autism" includes practical advice on helping a child move beyond scribbling, organizing the child's environment for maximum comfort and relaxation, and providing physical and sensory support. This book is packed with tips and suggestions for how to provide art therapy for children with autism - covering topics such as the basic materials required, safety issues, how to set up a workspace, and ideas for managing difficult behavior. The author writes from a professional and personal perspective - Nicole Martin is a qualified art therapist specializing in working with children with autism, and she also has a brother with autism. This book is perfect for busy parents and as a practical reference for professionals such as psychologists, teachers, occupational therapists, sensory integration therapists and anyone working with a child on the autism spectrum. ... Read more