The World of the Autistic Child: Understanding and Treating Autistic Spectrum Disorders (European Political Science) - Softcover

Siegel Ph.D., Bryna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195119177 ISBN 13: 9780195119176

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1998

Synopsis

For thousands of loving and concerned parents of autistic children, the suspicion that something may be wrong comes long before the clinical diagnosis of autism, PDD (pervasive developmental disorder), or Asperger's syndrome. When rounds of testing and consultations confirm parents' worst fears, their emotional turmoil is matched by an overriding practical concern: What do we do next? The World of the Autistic Child is by far the most complete and comprehensive book ever written for the parents of autistic children, and for the teachers, child specialists, and other professionals that care for them. Written by Dr. Bryna Siegel, a developmental psychologist and director of a large university clinic for autistic children, it provides help and hope not only for the children, but for their families-the parents, grandparents, siblings, and other caregivers who must come to grips with their own grief and confusion following a diagnosis of autism or other related disorder. Dr. Siegel believes that parents' best defense is to acquire, as early as possible, the knowledge and the parenting skills they will need to work with professionals to help their child fulfill his or her potential. This book, therefore, is about understanding the diagnosis of autism, the available treatments, and how to decide what is best for a particular child with autism or PDD. Straightforward and sympathetic, Dr. Siegel guides readers through the thicket of symptoms and labels, explaining the crucial importance of intensive early education, and how to find the resources and help that are available. Behavior modification, the development of daily living skills, guidelines for selecting and designing schooling, mainstreaming, the role for traditional academics in educating higher functioning children and young people, building effective parent-teacher relationships, psychoactive medications, and dealing with the possibility of residential placement are all covered. Dr. Siegel teaches parents and profe

About this title

Review

Bryna Siegel's book gives some of the best descriptions of the range of autistic behaviours in children that I have read. She also, admirably, attempts to explain the reasoning and purpose behind many of these behaviours. (The Lancet)

About the Author

Bryna Siegel has directed the Pervasive Developmental Disorders Clinic and Laboratory at Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute at the University of California, San Francisco for the past six years, and earlier, was one of the founders of the Autism Clinic at Stanford University. She is the author of The Working Parents Guide to Child Care, What About Me? Growing Up with a Developmentally Disabled Sibling, and numerous professional publications.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0195119177
• ISBN 13: 9780195119176
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 372