Helping Children with Autism Learn: Treatment Approaches for Parents and Professionals

by Bryna Siegel

Bryna Siegel gives parents of autistic children what they need hope. Her first book, The World of the Autistic Child , became an instant classic, illuminating the inaccessible minds of afflicted children. Now she offers an equally insightful, thoroughly practical guide to treating the
learning disabilities associated with this heartbreaking disorder.

The trouble with treating autism, Siegel writes, is that it is a spectrum disorder--a combination of a number of symptoms and causes. To one extent or another, it robs the child of social bonds, language, and intimacy--but the extent varies dramatically in each case. The key is to understand each
case of autism as a discrete set of learning disabilities, each of which must be treated individually. Siegel explains how to take an inventory of a child's particular disabilities, breaks down the various kinds unique to autism, discusses our current knowledge about each, and reviews the existing
strategies for treating them. There is no simple cure for this multifarious disorder, she writes; instead, an individual program, with a unique array of specific treatments, must be constructed for each child. She gives practical guidance for fashioning such a program, empowering parents to take the
lead in their child's treatment. At the same time, she cautions against the proliferating, but questionable, treatments hawked to afflicted families. She knows the panic to do something, anything, to help an autistic child, and she offers parents reassurance and support as well as sensible advice,
combining knowledge from experience, theory and research.

For parents, autism in a child is heartbreaking. But it need not be overwhelming. Bryna Siegel offers a new understanding, and a practical, thoughtful approach that will give parents new hope.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Education

512 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siegel says she is aiming to do "translational research", that is to make theory and empirical studies more accessible. In my opinion she at least partially succeeds, however other reviewers here have taken issue with her unnecessarily unwieldy and academic writing.

A reviewer on Amazon criticises the author's arrogant and misleading assumptions about the "why" of many behaviours of children with autism. I didn't pick up on these, and was glad to be offered plausible explanations which are at least a starting point, if an over-generalisation.

However Siegel's arrogant statement about Music Therapy (page 219) makes me more inclined to take the Amazon review seriously. She devotes a few short lines of her 500-page book to Music Therapy. I may have misunderstood her in such a tiny context, but she seems to think that music therapy involves teaching a child to play an instrument, and so dismisses it as possibly therapeutic if the child likes it, but no more so than any other interest, and says that it does not involve remediation of a specific deficit. However Siegel's own words a few pages back are that "melodic cues are more comprehensible and memorable than words", and that you could try teaching object-label vocabulary through song such as the "Hokey pokey" or "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" as a viable way of employing compensatory strategies in a child with delayed echolalia. Sounds like remediation of a specific deficit to me, and sounds exactly like music therapy.

Having said that, I was still tempted to give this book five stars, as it is the first book I've come across which appears to be scientifically sound yet is unafraid to question autism research assumptions (such as the imperative for "early intervention"). Also at page 456 Siegel goes out on a limb by predicting likely treatment outcomes for children with low, medium and high-functioning autism, again something I haven't read in any other book.

For newcomers to an autism diagnosis I would suggest coming back to this book later, after first reading the excellent "Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum" by Julia Moor, anything by Sue Larkey, and if there is a language delay "You Make The Difference In Helping Your Child Learn" by H. Manolson, "Talk To Me" by Heather Jones and perhaps "First Words" by Barbara Offenbacher.

I would love to read a new edition of this book, as there has been a lot more autism research in the last 10 years.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm...full-disclosure - the author of this book assessed my oldest son when I suspected he had autism spectrum disorder. Bryna Siegel is very highly regarded in her field. While I agreed with parts of diagnosis, I disagreed with most of her recommendations for him. The book provides a lot of information, but what I learned most from it - and her evaluation - was to follow my instincts in what's best for my child.

[Judy A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Siegel steps into the shoes of professionals, parents and the children who are affected with autism. She arms and prepares them to be proactive in the upcoming challenges they will encounter in school, home, and life. A very strong emphasis is placed on advocating for children while moving through an educational process that can leave parents lost, misguided, or frustrated. The book is extremely comprehensive and details the signs, symptoms, tests, educational curriculum, and professional roles that are all a part of the "whole" child's diagnosis and treatment. Especially beneficial is the discussion of the terms used by professionals that parents need to be familiar with to advocate for their children. Unlike many books written to advocate for children, this one does not pit one against the other, rather, it provides a framework and guide for all parties involved. The strongest point is addressing the whole child and not one particular aspect in isolation. Though more recent developments and information have occurred since this edition, is it non the less an extremely valuable resource.

[megh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book I read on Autism. Very good. A lot of information and helpful tips.