Customer Reviews

Autism - From Research to Individualized Practice

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I have worked for over twenty years with children and adolescents in private psychotherapy practice and as the director of a non profit family clinic. Working with children with a broad spectrum of Developmental Disorders is a tremenduous challenge for the family and the clinician. As the author, Robin Gabriels often states in her book, the disorder is complicated in nature and requires a multifaceted approach to treatment. Children with autism do not have one identifiable "trauma" or chemical imbalance or an interpersonally toxic environment that would make therapeutic treatment tangible and focused. Robin Gabriels has undertaken the difficult task to match a broad spectrum disorder with a broad spectrum treatment approach. As a clinician, I loved her book, since it is the best integration of seemingly contradictory clinical venues I know of. In integrating sound research data with clinical outcome and experience she has given me an excellent guideline for my own work with children with Autism Spectrum. I am very happy that I finally found a comprehensive approach that includes medication, working with the family, the school, and the therapist individually. I have recommended the book to several of my colleagues, already, which is very helpful, since here in rural Middle Georgia we have virtually no clinical training opportunities or non-profit services for children with Autism. I can wholeheartedly recommend her book to professionals and parents alike.

The subtitle of this book--"From Research to Individualized Practice"--really doesn't do justice to the succinct, yet really comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the syndrome that is Autism. This book is a must, especially for parents with recently diagnosed children who need both a reality check on possibilities and hope for the future. For those parents who have been struggling for years and haven't given up, the book presents an overview of therapy interventions in very concrete and practical terms, breaking down possible interventions for both children and adolescents. The book is well researched and is highly readable.

If you are the parent or educator of a child with autism, this book should be required reading! Well-written and informative both the professional and the non-professional alike can learn so much from this multi-disciplinary approach to treating this difficult and heartwrenching disorder. Edited by two esteemed and experienced professionals, this book answers any questions you may have, and even questions you never would have thought to ask. I cannot more highly recommend this book!