Based on nearly two decades of Chantal Sicile-Kira's personal and professional experiences with individuals and families affected by this growing epidemic, Autism Spectrum Disorders explains all aspects of the condition, including:
- The causes of autism spectrum disorders
- How to properly diagnose ASDs
- Treatments based on behavioral, psychological and biomedical interventions
- Coping strategies for families
- Educational needs and programs
- Living and working conditions for adults with ASD
- Community interaction
- Teaching strategies and resources for educators and other professionals
Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide
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Editorial Reviews
Review
...information from personal experiences will give...parents and professionals...insight into how people on the spectrum perceive the world. -- Temple Grandin, Ph.D., author, Thinking In Pictures
This book is not merely highly recommended - it is highly indispensable! -- Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., Director, Austism Research Institute, Founder, Autism Society of America
This reference guide is...invaluable for anyone in the community who comes across individuals with autism in their line of work. -- Anthony Edwards, E.R.'s Dr. Greene
This book is not merely highly recommended - it is highly indispensable! -- Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., Director, Austism Research Institute, Founder, Autism Society of America
This reference guide is...invaluable for anyone in the community who comes across individuals with autism in their line of work. -- Anthony Edwards, E.R.'s Dr. Greene
About the Author
Chantal Sicile-Kira, author of Autism Spectrum Disorders, is a national speaker and advocate who has been involved with autism spectrum disorders for nearly 20 years, first as a professional and then as a parent. She currently hosts a weekly radio show, "The Real World of Autism with Chantal," on Autism One Radio. Her company, Autism Making a Difference, Inc., provides workshops and training materials.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
83 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is directed especially toward parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Chantal Sicile-Kira's goal is to save parents "countless hours of precious time and heartache" by sharing what she has learned navigating through the various systems. She has an autistic child of her own and she knows the ropes having spent "tens of thousands of hours" learning about autism and the treatments and interventions available, and how the various support and governmental groups and organizations work.
She begins by debunking myths about autism while providing a little history including some sharp commentary about Bruno Bettelheim, the psychotherapist who thought that autism was caused by "refrigerator mothers" of cold affect who pushed their children into emotional isolation. She emphasizes that autism is a "spectrum disorder" that is becoming more and more prevalent without a clear etiology.
She follows this with a chapter explaining what ASDs are and "How to Know If a Person Has One." She addresses herself to parents who have absolutely no experience with autism, parents who have no idea what to do or how to feel. In Chapter 3 she looks into the causes and attempts to explain why people with ASDs act the way they do. Then she guides parents to what to expect and what to do after a diagnosis of autism. In Chapter 5 she comments on treatments, therapies, and interventions.
What Sicile-Kira does so well is to make the reader understand and appreciate what it is like to be a parent of an autistic child, what family life can be like with siblings, what the educational prospects are, how one fits into the community and what the future may hold. Autism spectrum disorders are becoming better and better understood all the time, and there is even a school of thought that suggests that, in their milder forms, to look for a "cure" may be a misdirection because many autistics have a unique and valuable way of viewing the world and living life.
This is a personal book, but it is also a professional book. There is an appendix giving "Parent Ratings of Behavioral Effects of Biomedical Interventions": which drugs have or have not been effective, how non-drug supplements have or have not helped, and the effect of special diets. There is a section on "Resources," including ASD-Specific Organizations, general organizations, governmental agencies, books; and there's a bibliography.
If you want an introduction to autism and the world of autism from a parental and a professional point of view, this is an excellent place to start.
She begins by debunking myths about autism while providing a little history including some sharp commentary about Bruno Bettelheim, the psychotherapist who thought that autism was caused by "refrigerator mothers" of cold affect who pushed their children into emotional isolation. She emphasizes that autism is a "spectrum disorder" that is becoming more and more prevalent without a clear etiology.
She follows this with a chapter explaining what ASDs are and "How to Know If a Person Has One." She addresses herself to parents who have absolutely no experience with autism, parents who have no idea what to do or how to feel. In Chapter 3 she looks into the causes and attempts to explain why people with ASDs act the way they do. Then she guides parents to what to expect and what to do after a diagnosis of autism. In Chapter 5 she comments on treatments, therapies, and interventions.
What Sicile-Kira does so well is to make the reader understand and appreciate what it is like to be a parent of an autistic child, what family life can be like with siblings, what the educational prospects are, how one fits into the community and what the future may hold. Autism spectrum disorders are becoming better and better understood all the time, and there is even a school of thought that suggests that, in their milder forms, to look for a "cure" may be a misdirection because many autistics have a unique and valuable way of viewing the world and living life.
This is a personal book, but it is also a professional book. There is an appendix giving "Parent Ratings of Behavioral Effects of Biomedical Interventions": which drugs have or have not been effective, how non-drug supplements have or have not helped, and the effect of special diets. There is a section on "Resources," including ASD-Specific Organizations, general organizations, governmental agencies, books; and there's a bibliography.
If you want an introduction to autism and the world of autism from a parental and a professional point of view, this is an excellent place to start.
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By Ted A. Parks
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a graduate student doing research on autism, and this book provided a fantastic amount of information. It covers the history, symptoms, treatments, how to look for help, provides numerous websites and other resources, and was invaluable to my work. Out of the ten books on autism that I have read, this one is the best.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Autism is a diificult condition to accept, to understand, and to fight. Parents and professionals are flooded with books and articles filled with ideas about the causes, symptoms,and treatments for autism. It is an overwhelming task to sort out honest attempts from honest but misguided ideas from frank marketing of treatments. This book helps clarify and organize a comprehensive approach that includes advice on to advocate for persons with autism. I strongly recommend Sicile-Kira's book to anyone helping with persons with autism or autism spectrum disorders, including parents, health professionals, and teachers.
J. D. Feder, MD
J. D. Feder, MD
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism,...
I believe this book can be helpful as a good starting point to understand ASD. I don't believe there can every be the definitive book because as a whole the medical community is... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tami A Goldstein
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book!
I thought this book would help me understand my sons disorder,but it wasn't very helpful for me! Might be for someone,but not for me!!
Published 2 months ago by Laura B.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good seller
Item can quick and I was happy with the transaction, it was exactly what I ordered. I would buy from here again.
Published 4 months ago by christine wainer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!
I bought this book for school and would recommend it for all that work with students with Autism or have a child on the spectrum. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Carly Haynes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gregg L. Friedman MD, Psychiatrist, Hallandale Beach, FL
Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide is an excellent book. It is very well organized and it covers the Pervasive Developmental Disorders from Autism to Asperger's in great... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Julie L. Friedman
5.0 out of 5 stars
An essential book, a wonderful resource
I know I will turn to this book again and again over the coming years for suggestions, information, and points of contact. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Autumn Sun
5.0 out of 5 stars
something that said it will be all right...
I read this book when it first came out and have referred back to it many times. Chantal knows her stuff not only from a professional level but also a personal one which is helpful... Read more
Published on March 6, 2011 by Amy Hebel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Read...
My child was recently diagnosed with mild autism. So in a panic I went looking for resources to fill the gaps in knowledge I had about this disorder. Read more
Published on February 25, 2011 by Matthew H. Worley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Autism Book
Being part of a nationwide pediatric therapy and autism services company, Achieve Beyond, Autism Spectrum Disorders is a book that is an invaluable resource for parents of children... Read more
Published on December 10, 2010 by Achieve Beyond
3.0 out of 5 stars
Might be a good starting point....
Personally, I didn't find the book helpful, but it has reasonably good general information about the spectrum. Read more
Published on August 23, 2010 by S. vaneck
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 80
books:
See all 80 books this book cites
- Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin on 9 pages
- Autistic Spectrum a Parents Guide by The National Autistic Society on 6 pages
- Nobody Nowhere by Donna Williams on 5 pages
- The Mind Tree by Tito Mukhopadhyay on 5 pages
- Special Children, Challenged Parents by Robert a Nasef on 4 pages
See all 80 books this book cites
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