Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Other ASDs [Paperback]

Chantal Sicile-Kira (Author), Temple Grandin (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2004

Based upon Chantal Sicile-Kira's personal and professional experiences with autistic disorders, this comprehensive and accessible source covers all aspects of autism conditions, including Asperger's Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, including:

- The causes of autism spectrum disorders
- How to properly diagnose ASPs
- Treatments based on physiology, sensory, and biomedical interventions
- Coping strategies for families
- Educational programs
- Living and working conditions for adults with ASP
- Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC)

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

About the Author

Chantal Sicile-Kira has been involved with Autism Spectrum Disorders for nearly 20 years, first as a professional and then as a parent. She is on the advisory board of seven non-profit autism related organizations including the CAN Foundation, Autism Society of America, and HALO (Helping Autism Through Learning and Outreach). She also writes regularly for the Cure Autism Now (CAN) newsletter and website. Visit her website at www.chantalsicile-kira.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1 edition (September 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399530479
• ISBN-13: 978-0399530470
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chantal Sicile-Kira's passion for empowering others, her love of writing, and her personal interest in autism has led her to become an award-winning author, speaker, and leader in the field of adolescence and transition to adulthood. She has been involved with autism spectrum disorders for over 25 years as both a parent and a professional on both sides of the Atlantic. Chantal recently founded AutismCollege.com, which provides practical information and training to parents and educators.

A former researcher on BBC documentaries and a line producer on a TV Series in Paris, Chantal is the author of five books on autism. She blogs on Huffingtonpost.com, and PsychologyToday.com.

Jeremy, Chantal's son, was highlighted in the Newsweek cover story "Growing up with Autism" and featured in the MTV documentary True Life series, in "I Have Autism" which was the recipient of a 2008 Voice Award. Chantal's experience of raising her son in France, the UK and California was the subject of a 22 page article in the French professional journal on education and research for special education, La Nouvelle Revue de l'Adaptation et de la Scolarisation, June 2006, published by INS HEA.

Book Awards
Chantal's first book, Autism Spectrum Disorders, was the recipient of the 2005 Autism Society of America's Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award, and was nominated for the 2005 PEN / Martha Albrand Award for First Nonfiction. The UK edition was the winner of the 2003 San Diego Book Award for 'Best in Health.'

Her second book, Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum was awarded the 2006 San Diego Book Award for "Best in Health/Fitness."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine practical introduction, October 10, 2005

By 

Dennis Littrell (SoCal) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Other ASDs (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.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING RESOURCE ON AUTISM, October 14, 2005

By 

Ted A. Parks (Fredericksburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Other ASDs (Paperback)

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.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to a bewildering condition., October 13, 2004

By 

J. D. Feder, MD (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Other ASDs (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