Understanding Autism For Dummies

by Stephen M. Shore, Linda G. Rastelli, Temple Grandin (Foreword by)

Friendly, accessible guidance for parents of autistic children and people caring for autistic adults

Autism affects more than 1 million children and adults in the United States, and parents may be confused by the behavior of autistic children. This book provides help-and hope-by explaining the differences between various types of autism and delivering the lowdown on behavioral, educational, medical, other interventions. Featuring inspiring autism success stories as well as a list of organizations where people who support those with autism can go for additional help, it offers practical advice on how to educate children as well as insights on helping people with autism use their strengths to maximize their potential in life. Stephen Shore , EdD (Brookline MA), serves on the board for several autism spectrum-related organizations and he has written Beyond the Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome (1-931282-00-5) and edited Ask and Self Advocacy and Disclosure For People on the Autism Spectrum (1-931282-58-7).
Linda G. Rastelli (Middletown, NJ) is a veteran journalist who specializes in health and business.
Temple Grandin , PhD (Fort Collins, CO) is the author of the bestselling Thinking in Pictures (0-679-77289-8) and Labeled Autistic (0-446-67182-7).

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Health, Parenting

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Steve Mitchell]

I’m not going to rate this book as I skimmed over much of it but I have two points to make.

Firstly, it is geared for the US market and how their health system works. If you’re a Brit using this for guidance, then a lot of the advice given for securing a diagnosis and subsequent treatment is not useful for people with access to the NHS.

Secondly, although it doesn’t actually openly come out as an anti-vaxxer text book, some of its advice regarding vaccinations is unhelpful, especially with the current situation of the coronavirus pandemic

[Danni]

I am doing a study on Autism for Scouts. This book was very informative.

[Chapter]

Autism affects more than 1 million children and adults in the United States, and parents may be confused by the behavior of autistic children. This book provides help-and hope-by explaining the differences between various types of autism and delivering the lowdown on behavioral, educational, medical, other interventions. Featuring inspiring autism success stories as well as a list of organizations where people who support those with autism can go for additional help, it offers practical advice on how to educate children as well as insights on helping people with autism use their strengths to maximize their potential in life.

[Maia]

firmly for parents of people with, not adults with the condition. As that, a good general introductory guide. Very USA based (and not too rural either: the great list of questions for choosing who is good enough to be your child's GP is surely a bit hopeful when you have a choice of one practise, staffed by teenage eastern european locums.)

Good rough guide to schooling methods, dietary supplements (this bit might interest 'adults with', would make a fine 'first book' for the newly assaulted, focus is practical guidance. Gives slightly more room to the miracle cure end of things than i would, but stays within the reasonable (upset parents are easy victims for snake oil salesmen). Not suitable for teenagers etc except the dietary stuff.

[Sandy]

I think it's a good introduction to autism, something I keep around for grandparents who don't understand but are ready to start learning. But I'm not sure it really helped us in any great ways since most of what was in it I'd found in searches online. But autism is too large, too "new" and too perplexing to really "get" till you live with it, and even then sometimes that only muttles things more.

[Melissa Wilson]

Parts of the book I liked:
Accommodations for your child, understanding the law allows.
Keeping track of law changes
Staying involved with you child's education.
Supporting your child at home
Assessing your childs progress
IFSP and IEP's
Flexing your rights when necessary
Features of the 5 spectrum disorders

[Danielle]

A good resource, especially if you have just recieved a diagnosis for your child, which can be extremely overwhelming. This is by no means a comprehensive book, but in this time in your life, it will be an excellent resource.

[Sarah Louise]

Its very informative and i love that there are sections for adults with autism to read. However a lot is also based around American methods. So large elements of the book were useless being from outside the US.

[Tammy]

I suppose it is good if you start out knowing nothing about autism.

[Maureen McCluskey]

Slightly outdated. Written in very practical language. I used as a secondary book in a college class on Autism Spectrum Disorders.

[Deb Tregilgas]

A useful source for a grand overview of the current thinkings, theories, and support for autism.

[Teddy]

This is a great resource book if you have any questions about autism. Excellent!