Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Understanding the Diagnosis and Getting Help [Paperback]

Mitzi Waltz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2002 | Series: Patient Centered Guides

Autistic spectrum disorders--including autism, pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger's syndrome, and others--are labels to describe neurological conditions that can affect a person's speech and communication, emotional growth, social skills, and physical and mental abilities. Up to 1 in 150 children in some geographical areas have these conditions; children affected are disproportionately boys. This second edition is for parents (or newly diagnosed adults) who struggle with these neurological conditions that profoundly impact the life of child and family. Author and patient advocate Mitzi Waltz, now studying at the Autism Research Unit in the UK, incorporates the latest medical findings on possible causes for ASDs and on treatments. Topics include:

• Getting a diagnosis, including preparing for a diagnostic interview in a medical, psychiatric, or school setting
• Treatment options, including pharmaceutical medications, vitamins and supplements, sensory integration, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, behavior modification, floor time play therapy, talk therapy, and others
• Coping with diagnosis and treatment, including emotions and support systems, insurance system, and educational plans
• Stories from dozens of families living with autistic spectrum disorders

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

An update to Waltz's Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Finding a Diagnosis and Getting Help (1999), this new book will be incredibly useful to parents and educators working with children and adults suffering from autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Of the changes made to this edition, first and foremost is the terminology: ASD, which incorporates autism, Asperger's syndrome, and other pervasive developmental disorders into one diagnosis, is now an accepted umbrella term for those conditions. In a very readable format, Waltz covers the latest developments in medical and therapeutic interventions and environmental links, insurance, education, family issues, support, and resources for the English-speaking world. Throughout, she intersperses numerous personal accounts from interviews held with families, caretakers, and ASD patients. Those firsthand accounts allow the human side of the diagnosis to shine through and illustrate the wide variety of experiences of living with ASD. Strongly recommended for public libraries and for academic libraries with education or autism collections. Corey Seeman, Univ. of Toledo Lib., OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

"Pervasive Developmental Disorders" was the title of the first edition of this book.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Patient Centered Guides; Second Edition edition (July 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596500130
• ISBN-13: 978-0596500139
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,804,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Pervasive Developmental Disorder Bible!, November 29, 1999

By 

Sheryl Lilly (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Finding a Diagnosis and Getting Help (Paperback)

There is not a better book on the market that can give you the information that Mitzi Waltz has brought to the reader with this book. It's a plethora of information in easy to understand terminology, yet deligentely and intelligently written.

As a mother with 4 children with neurological disorders, 2 of which belonging to the PDD Spectrum, I can tell you that I would have given my left arm to have this collective works when we were just starting down our Holland© path.

If you have ANY type of connection to the PDD world, be it parent, grandparent, relative, self, spouse, teacher, pastor, friend or doctor, HERE is where you'll find the answers.

Thank you Mitzi Waltz!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pervasive Development Disorder - Finding a Diagnosis, December 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Finding a Diagnosis and Getting Help (Paperback)

I found this book to be very helpful. When I purchased this book I was so greatful, that finally someone understood how i felt as a parent. This book gives you the background information that will educate parents on how to address their child's needs. It gives detailed info on medication, IEPS, clinics, websites and even information concerning patterns to teach the child. this book is worth every dime.I have a eight year old son with PDD nos... and it is hard, but i admit some of the techniques in this book was helpful and it gave alternatives to medication. this book make you feel that you are not alone. Our children are special too and they deserve the best care and this book offer the information that most people on the outside will not provide... Thank you (A mother in MI)

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pervasive Developemental Disorders, June 11, 2000

By 

Craig Burford (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Finding a Diagnosis and Getting Help (Paperback)

This is a must have book for the parents of a newly diagnosed child having PDD. Ms. Waltz gives a comprehensive account what a parent should, can, and legally ought to do for their child. She covers getting a diagnosis, medical interventions, insurance, schools, support and advocacy, etc. This book is a great place for parents to start. Once you have this base line education, you can better research possible interventions for your child and thus formulate an effective plan for your child. My daughter is now 5 yrs. old. She was first diagnosed when she was 3 yrs. old. All I could find on PDD then was articles written by pyschologists on whether or not the label should exist! Thank you Ms. Waltz.