Autism Spectrum Disorders : A Handbook for Parents and Professionals

With the increased number of children being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, parents and professionals are in search of materials that provide information to better understand children affected. While in the past individuals who were diagnosed had limited verbal and intellectual skills, newly diagnosed children often have good language skills and even areas of giftedness. This A-to-Z work contains original entries on the topic of autism spectrum disorders. These entries include facts about disabilities, personal and historic perspectives, interventions, assessments, educational methods, trusted internet resources, and national organizations, and it outlines the contributions of founding researchers and other professionals. It also includes lesson plans that can be implemented in a home, school, or community setting. Also included are personal perspectives from individuals with ASD and their parents. No such definitive resource exists that provides both educational and practical information related to ASD.

"This is an excellent resource for those needing a primer on autism spectrum disorders. Each article in this two-volume work is signed, and the longer articles include references and sometimes a further reading list. A roster details contributors' areas of expertise in autism and its variations. The generally well-written articles, from contributors with excellent credentials who deal with autism every day, vary in length from a few hundred words to a few thousand. Topics covered range from evaluation of children with autism to advice on how to cope with common concerns inherent in raising autistic children, including auditory sensitivity, bullying in school, making eye contact, recognizing social cues, and making appropriate conversation. The second volume contains four appendixes: Newsletters, Journals, Organizations, and Personal Perspectives. The latter will be especially useful for parents, grandparents, or teachers who want to read firsthand accounts from mothers and fathers of autistic children, and also personal accounts from higher functioning adults and young people with diagnoses in the autism spectrum (e.g., Asperger's syndrome). This work will serve as an indispensable tool for those searching for answers to the many questions surrounding autism spectrum disorders. Highly recommended. All levels." -

Choice

"This is an excellent resource for those needing a primer on autism spectrum disorders. Each article in this two-volume work is signed, and the longer articles include references and sometimes a further reading list. A roster details contributors' areas of expertise in autism and its variations. The generally well-written articles, from contributors with excellent credentials who deal with autism every day, vary in length from a few hundred words to a few thousand. Topics covered range from evaluation of children with autism to advice on how to cope with common concerns inherent in raising autistic children, including auditory sensitivity, bullying in school, making eye contact, recognizing social cues, and making appropriate conversation. The second volume contains four appendixes: Newsletters, Journals, Organizations, and Personal Perspectives. The latter will be especially useful for parents, grandparents, or teachers who want to read firsthand accounts from mothers and fathers of autistic children, and also personal accounts from higher functioning adults and young people with diagnoses in the autism spectrum (e.g., Asperger's syndrome). This work will serve as an indispensable tool for those searching for answers to the many questions surrounding autism spectrum disorders. Highly recommended. All levels." - Choice