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<p>Foreword xvii</p> <p><b>Introduction 1</b></p> <p>About This Book 2</p> <p>Conventions Used in This Book 2</p> <p>What You’re Not to Read 3</p> <p>Foolish Assumptions 3</p> <p>How This Book Is Organized 4</p> <p>Part I: Understanding Autism 4</p> <p>Part II: Addressing Physical Needs 4</p> <p>Part III: Enhancing Learning and Social Skills 5</p> <p>Part IV: Living with Autism as an Adult 5</p> <p>Part V: The Part of Tens 6</p> <p>Icons Used in This Book 6</p> <p>Where to Go from Here 7</p> <p><b>Part I: Understanding Autism 9</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 1: Autism: The Big Picture 11</b></p> <p>What We Know — and Don’t Know — about Autism 12</p> <p>Making the Diagnosis: Learning Your ASDs 13</p> <p>Understanding the diagnostic criteria 14</p> <p>Seeing the signs: Autism symptoms 15</p> <p>Understanding the Far-Reaching Impact of Autism 17</p> <p>How autism can affect the diagnosed individual 18</p> <p>How autism can affect families, schools, and communities 18</p> <p>How autism can affect caregivers 19</p> <p>Navigating the Sea of Interventions 20</p> <p>Using behavioral, developmental, and other educationally based interventions 21</p> <p>Implementing occupational and speech-language therapies 23</p> <p>Medicating symptoms that can accompany autism 23</p> <p>Applying biomedical and natural interventions 24</p> <p>If You Think You (Or People You Care for) Have Undiagnosed Autism 25</p> <p><b>Chapter 2: From Classification to Treatment: Scanning the Autism Spectrum 27</b></p> <p>Surveying the Colors of Autism 28</p> <p>Severe (or “classic”) autism 29</p> <p>PDD and PDD-NOS 30</p> <p>Asperger Syndrome 31</p> <p>Considering Conditions That Resemble Autism 32</p> <p>Childhood Disintegrative Disorder 32</p> <p>Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 33</p> <p>Other possible diagnoses 33</p> <p>Understanding Why Early Treatment Matters More than Classification 35</p> <p>Attempting early identification and intervention 35</p> <p>Getting good medical care 36</p> <p>Enrolling in effective early programs 37</p> <p><b>Chapter 3: Causes, Clusters, and Clues: Where Does Autism Come From? 39</b></p> <p>Considering the Rise in Diagnoses 40</p> <p>Exploring the Genetic Link 41</p> <p>Familial patterns 41</p> <p>Brain size and structure 42</p> <p>The brain-gut connection 44</p> <p>The testosterone link 45</p> <p>Examining Biomedical Theories 45</p> <p>What do allergies have to do with it? 46</p> <p>Heavy-metal poisoning hypotheses 47</p> <p>Autoimmune or virus-induced theories of causation 49</p> <p>The Backlash Against the Cure 50</p> <p><b>Chapter 4: Getting a Diagnosis 53</b></p> <p>Tracking Your Child’s Medical History 54</p> <p>Broaching the Possibility of Autism with a Doctor 55</p> <p>Preparing for the consultation 56</p> <p>Requesting a referral 57</p> <p>Consulting a Specialist 58</p> <p>Contacting a qualified specialist 59</p> <p>Sharing information 62</p> <p>Embarking on the assessment process 62</p> <p>Diagnosing related conditions 65</p> <p>Dealing with the Impact of the Diagnosis 67</p> <p>Coming to terms emotionally 68</p> <p>Taking action 68</p> <p>Avoiding scams 69</p> <p><b>Chapter 5: Asperger Syndrome and Autism 71</b></p> <p>Discovering Where Asperger Syndrome Sits on the Autism Spectrum 72</p> <p>Examining common characteristics of Asperger’s 72</p> <p>Diagnosing Asperger Syndrome 73</p> <p>Examining typical nondiagnostic personality traits of Asperger Syndrome 76</p> <p>Helping People with Asperger Syndrome Socialize 78</p> <p>Finding the hidden curriculum 79</p> <p>Handling idioms and figures of speech 80</p> <p>Dealing with the Emotions Triggered by Asperger Syndrome 82</p> <p>Avoiding the rage cycle 83</p> <p>Working through frustration 87</p> <p>Using emotion thermometers to gauge emotional states 87</p> <p>Recognizing Bullying and Its Emotional Repercussions 89</p> <p>Signs of bullying 90</p> <p>Taming the bullies 91</p> <p>Transitioning to Adulthood 91</p> <p><b>Part II: Addressing Physical Needs 93</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 6: Injecting Yourself with Knowledge about Autism Medication 95</b></p> <p>Considering Drug Therapy 95</p> <p>Looking at how medication can realistically help 96</p> <p>Educating yourself and pursuing drug therapy 96</p> <p>Using medication wisely 97</p> <p>Identifying Helpful Medications 99</p> <p>Beginning the process with a qualified doctor 100</p> <p>Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) 101</p> <p>Atypical antipsychotic drugs 102</p> <p>Tricyclic drugs 104</p> <p>Antiepileptics (also known as anticonvulsants) 105</p> <p>Medications for challenging behaviors in severely affected people with autism 106</p> <p>Maximizing Safety When Vaccinating Your Child 107</p> <p>Considering your child’s medical history 107</p> <p>Looking at an alternate vaccination schedule 108</p> <p><b>Chapter 7: Improving Immunity and Boosting Biochemistry 109</b></p> <p>Taking a Look at the Balancing Act of the Immune System 110</p> <p>Exposing the Relationship between Autism and Immune Abnormalities 112</p> <p>Analyzing immune measurements in the blood 113</p> <p>Exploring gut problems 114</p> <p>Studying brain tissue 115</p> <p>Improving Immunity 116</p> <p>Focusing on first-line fundamentals 117</p> <p>Seeking out second-line strategies 118</p> <p>Tackling third-line therapies 119</p> <p>Biochemistry Begets Behavior: A New Way of Thinking 121</p> <p>Shedding light on the broken pathways 121</p> <p>Maximizing metabolism 122</p> <p>Getting the Lead (and Mercury) Out 124</p> <p>Why the autistic child? 124</p> <p>Testing for toxicity 125</p> <p>Chelating 125</p> <p><b>Chapter 8: Optimizing Nutrition 129</b></p> <p>Tempering Your Expectations 130</p> <p>Considering Your Dietary Intervention Options 130</p> <p>Cleaning up your child’s diet 131</p> <p>Going wheat and dairy free 133</p> <p>Supplementing your child’s diet 136</p> <p>Implementing Your Plan 138</p> <p>Keeping a food and symptom diary 138</p> <p>Involving professionals 140</p> <p>Easing the transition 141</p> <p>Experimenting with specialized diets 142</p> <p>Eating on the road 143</p> <p><b>Part III: Enhancing Learning and Social Skills 145</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 9: Choosing an Appropriate Behavioral, Developmental, or Educational Intervention 147</b></p> <p>Understanding What to Look for in the Alphabet Soup of Approaches 148</p> <p>Actions and behaviors that lead to success in all interventions 149</p> <p>Keys to success in educational interventions 149</p> <p>Exploring Popular Intervention Approaches 150</p> <p>Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) 151</p> <p>Daily Life Therapy (DLT) 155</p> <p>Developmental Individual Difference Relation-Based Intervention (DIR) 157</p> <p>Miller Method 160</p> <p>Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) 164</p> <p>Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) 169</p> <p>Social Communication Emotional Regulation Transactional Support Model (SCERTS) 173</p> <p>Deciding Which Method Is Best for Your Child 176</p> <p>Financing the At-Home Program of Your Choice 177</p> <p>Exploring your at-home options 177</p> <p>Obtaining government assistance 178</p> <p><b>Chapter 10: Dealing with Learning and Sensory Differences 181</b></p> <p>Autistic Learning: Transferring Skills and Providing Structure 182</p> <p>Thinking conceptually and transferring concepts 182</p> <p>Incorporating routine into daily life 184</p> <p>Bridging the Communication Gap 186</p> <p>Developing sign language as a communication bridge 186</p> <p>Working toward functional communication 186</p> <p>Using assistive communication technology 187</p> <p>Enjoying music therapy 193</p> <p>“Retraining” the Brain through Neurotherapy 194</p> <p>Examining and implementing neurotherapy 195</p> <p>Reviewing a neurotherapy study 196</p> <p>Making Sense of Sensory Confusion 197</p> <p>Observing sensory integration challenges 197</p> <p>Using hippotherapy 200</p> <p>Working with speech-language pathologists 200</p> <p>Seeing through Irlen-branded lenses 201</p> <p>Handling Your Child’s Sensory Issues 202</p> <p>The supermarket test 202</p> <p>The eyes have it 203</p> <p>The auditory-processing blues 204</p> <p>Socially unacceptable stimming 204</p> <p>Dealing with the most severe behaviors 206</p> <p><b>Chapter 11: Finding a Learning Environment That Fits Your Child’s Needs 207</b></p> <p>Inclusion: To Be or Not to Be? 208</p> <p>Recognizing an Effective Classroom 209</p> <p>Maintaining routine and predictability 209</p> <p>Learning through all the senses 211</p> <p>Evaluating the room itself 212</p> <p>Observing a Good Teacher 215</p> <p>Characteristics to look for in an educator 215</p> <p>Warning flags to avoid in an educator 216</p> <p>Developing Effective Accommodations 217</p> <p>Accommodations in action 218</p> <p>Addressing the fairness of accommodations 219</p> <p>Considering educational techniques for promoting inclusion 222</p> <p>Weighing Your Options when the Public School System Falls Short 224</p> <p>Exploring the world of home schooling 224</p> <p>Considering other educational options 226</p> <p>Understanding and Reducing Challenging Behaviors 226</p> <p>Getting to the core of the behavior 227</p> <p>Performing a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) 227</p> <p><b>Chapter 12: Legally Speaking: Making the Most of Your Child’s Education 235</b></p> <p>Navigating the Legal and Education Systems 235</p> <p>Understanding what the law allows 236</p> <p>Keeping track of changes in the law 236</p> <p>Staying Involved with Your Child’s Education 238</p> <p>Working within the system 238</p> <p>Supporting your child at home 239</p> <p>Acting Early with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) 240</p> <p>Specifying Special: Entering the Public School System 241</p> <p>Initiating an evaluation to establish eligibility 241</p> <p>Implementing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) 243</p> <p>Assessing Your Child’s Progress 250</p> <p>Flexing Your Educational Rights When You Need To 251</p> <p><b>Chapter 13: Fostering Healthy Relationships 253</b></p> <p>Recognizing the Social Challenges an Autistic Child Faces 254</p> <p>Understanding social norms 254</p> <p>Conversing and cooperating 255</p> <p>Supporting a child when verbal communication is minimal or nonexistent 256</p> <p>All in the Family 258</p> <p>Talking about autism with your kids 259</p> <p>Considering the challenges siblings face 260</p> <p>Including extended family 263</p> <p>Encouraging Your Child to Form Friendships 264</p> <p>Staging an emotional rescue 265</p> <p>Creating social stories and calling on Power Cards 266</p> <p>Making conversation 268</p> <p>Sparking interactive play 269</p> <p>Respecting differences 270</p> <p><b>Part IV: Living with Autism as an Adult 271</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 14: For Adults with Autism: Living Well after K-12 273</b></p> <p>Discovering How to Live Interdependently 274</p> <p>Managing your daily life 274</p> <p>Deciding where to live 275</p> <p>For caregivers: Preparing your dependent to succeed from day one 276</p> <p>Out of the High-School Daze: Pursuing Higher Education 277</p> <p>Evaluating your educational options 278</p> <p>Getting the accommodations you need for higher education 282</p> <p>Practicing self-advocacy and disclosure 283</p> <p>Easing into higher education 284</p> <p>For caregivers: Helping your dependent realize his/her higher-education dreams 285</p> <p>Time to Nurture Your Bank Account: Finding (and Keeping) Employment 285</p> <p>Matching your skills and desires with job opportunities 286</p> <p>Working with a job coach 287</p> <p>Applying for and obtaining a position 288</p> <p>Maintaining your job 291</p> <p>Gracefully exiting your position 291</p> <p>Considering self-employment 292</p> <p>For caregivers: Helping a dependent find employment 293</p> <p>An Advocate Off the Ol’ Block: Getting Involved with Your Community 295</p> <p>Becoming a part of your community 296</p> <p>Looking within the autism community 297</p> <p>For caregivers: Encouraging an adult with autism to get involved 299</p> <p><b>Chapter 15: For Adults with Autism: Fostering Friendships and Romantic Relationships 301</b></p> <p>Developing Friendly Relationships 302</p> <p>Understanding the circle of relationships 302</p> <p>Making first contact 304</p> <p>For caregivers: Helping your dependent establish friendships 306</p> <p>Recognizing (And Overcoming) the Challenges of Dating 307</p> <p>Asking for a date 307</p> <p>Behaving appropriately during the date 309</p> <p>Opting for full or no disclosure 310</p> <p>For caregivers: Moving on to dating 311</p> <p>Taking It to the Next Level with Sexual Behavior 312</p> <p>The most important part of boyfriend or girlfriend is “friend” 313</p> <p>Engaging in sexual activity 314</p> <p>For caregivers: Exploring sex education for people with autism 315</p> <p><b>Chapter 16: Special-Needs Planning for the Future 319</b></p> <p>Avoiding Common Financial Mistakes 320</p> <p>Putting Plan to Paper: Getting Started 320</p> <p>Taking account of your child’s prognosis 321</p> <p>Keeping eligibility for government services in mind 322</p> <p>Sizing up your estate 323</p> <p>Considering living arrangements and guardianship 323</p> <p>Involving an Attorney and/or Financial Planner 323</p> <p>Writing Your Will 325</p> <p>Setting up a special-needs trust 326</p> <p>Giving a morally obligated gift 330</p> <p>Designating guardianship 331</p> <p><b>Part V: The Part of Tens 333</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 17: Ten Tactful Responses to Challenging Questions or Comments 335</b></p> <p>“What Special Talent Does He Have?” 335</p> <p>“Why Can’t You Control Your Kid?” 336</p> <p>“Asperger Snausperger. He Looks Fine. He Just Needs a Better Attitude.” 337</p> <p>“Who Did He Inherit It From?” 337</p> <p>“Why Should Your Child Get Special Treatment?” 338</p> <p>“Are You Kidnapping That Child?” 338</p> <p>The “Bad-Parent” Look 339</p> <p>“Is She Still in Her Own World?” 339</p> <p>“They Grow Out of It, Don’t They?” 340</p> <p>“But She Doesn’t Look Autistic ” 340</p> <p><b>Chapter 18: Ten Things to Do after a Diagnosis 341</b></p> <p>Learn and Read as Much as Possible 341</p> <p>Network with Other Families 342</p> <p>Test, Test, Test 342</p> <p>Investigate Sources of Financial Aid 342</p> <p>Consider Major Lifestyle Changes 343</p> <p>Set Up an Educational/Behavioral Program in Your Home 343</p> <p>Begin Therapies 343</p> <p>Address Your Child’s Diet and Nutrition 344</p> <p>Don’t Give Up 344</p> <p>Get Out and Relax 344</p> <p><b>Appendix: Where to Go for More Help 345</b></p> <p>Finding Other Helpful Texts 345</p> <p>Specializing in autism spectrum disorders 347</p> <p>Special-education publishers 347</p> <p>Research journals and magazines 348</p> <p>Surfing Informative Sites on the Web 348</p> <p>Connecting with advocacy organizations 349</p> <p>Perusing general-information sites 350</p> <p>Having some fun 351</p> <p>Gaining insight from people with an ASD 351</p> <p>Chatting about autism 352</p> <p>Exploring listserves 353</p> <p>Accessing World-Wide Autism Organizations and Resources 354</p> <p>Index 355 </p>

<p><b>Stephen M. Shore, EdD,</b> who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum, is a college professor and an international lecturer and consultant on autism.</p> <p><b>Linda G. Rastelli, MA,</b> is an award-winning writer with 20 years of experience writing about health, education, and business topics.

<p><b> Identify signs and symptoms for early intervention</b></p> <p><b>Get the right diagnosis and customized treatment plan for your loved one or yourself</b> <p>This reassuring guide explains the symptoms of autism, how it’s diagnosed, and the current options for treatment. You’ll get helpful information on the latest in genetic and biomedical research, as well as coverage of special-needs financial planning, legal rights for education, and handling issues unique to adults with autism. <p><b>Discover how to: <p><b><i>Find and work with autism specialists</i></b> <p><b><i>Create and help manage an effective educational plan for your child</i></b> <p><b><i>Enhance communication and social skills</i></b> <p><b><i>Evaluate treatment options</i></b> <p><b><i>Explore other helpful autism resources</b>

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