Children With Autism: A Parents' Guide

by Michael D. Powers

From the new parent coping with a child's recent diagnosis to one who's an experienced advocate, "Children With Autism" is a must-have reference. It is a trusted, respected source of information on autism and the other conditions within the spectrum of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).Now completely revised and updated, "Children with Autism" covers a multitude of special concerns, including daily and family life, early intervention, educational programs, legal rights, advocacy, and a look at the years ahead with a chapter on adults with autism. Parents can turn to this new edition for the latest information on current diagnostic criteria, Applied Behavior Analysis, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), autism advocacy via the internet, and much more.

Another important feature of the book is the group of parent statements found at the end of each chapter. Here the reader gains the perspective and support from many other parents who share their own family's experiences. Other helpful features include a glossary, reading and resource lists, and a delightful collection of photographs of children with autism scattered throughout the book.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Parenting, Psychology

368 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1989

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great help, especially the potty training piece. It was given to me my one of his preschool teachers. She did burn out working with him but methods were more crude at the time. They had not realized, the professionals, 50% play therapy needed to be part of play therapy. She did encourage me to place my son in our home school and it made all the difference. The small town embraced him and loved him. It did take a village. Even though his expressive skills are severely delayed people are drawn to him as if he were a light. A student with a rough home life volunteered to be his badminton partner and they won the championship. He respected my son's kind heart and innocence. It was pure. This book and others helped me get him ready to attend our local school.

[Lacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book starts out being very helpful and informative but soon devolves into the authors dogmatic, biased opinions of what should happen instead of being the well-rounded-make your-own-decision piece that it should be.

[Cin Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best caretaker books I’ve read. Very thorough and informative.

[Marlo · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a parent of a child with Autism I have to say that this book is absolutely horrendeous.

The majority of the information given is totally and completely false and/or outdated and it is also unnecessarily negative, fully intended to frighten......not to mention extremely vague. There are also pages of statements made by parents who focus more on wallowing in self pity then they do on the fact that their child has a disability. They talk about trivial matters such as wanting a "normal" Christmas and the fear of the negative aspects an Autistic child can have on their "normal" siblings, as if Autistic people are raving lunatics which couldn't be further away from the truth.

Thankfully I didn't read much of this book back when my son was first diagnosed 3 years ago as it probably would have made me feel totally hopeless and as any good parent of a disabled child knows, hope is a very important thing. Also knowing all that I know now it gave me a way better insight into this horrendeous atrocity dubbed as a book.

Perhaps if they would have named the book Parents who Can't Deal or something along those lines I would have appreciated it more as it would have at least been honest.

[Lindsay Lock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, informative book. It gets a bit technical sometimes, but don't let that stop you from reading it if you think it would be helpful for you. Goes over what autism is, kinds of education to help kids with autism (both public schools and Applied Behavioral Analysis), special education rights (if you don't know these and have any kids w/ disabilities I recommend you read up on this because it's very important stuff), rights of individuals w/ autism, some estate planning advice (again read that if you have any kids w/ disabilities because it will help you plan for your kid after you pass away), and adults with autism. I'm sure I'm missing some areas, but overall a very comprehensive guide to autism, no matter where you may be in the journey.

[Lief · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it only took me 5 years to finish this book - great info in there though very clinical. I'm afraid to say that the last chapter "The Years Ahead: Adults With Autism" leaves a small spot of fear in my belly. I wonder if I'm doing enough with my son now so he can be independent and productive when he comes of age. *sigh*

[Katrina Schurter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry