Demystifying Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide to Diagnosis for Parents and Professionals (Topics in Autism) [Paperback]

Carolyn Thorwarth Bruey (Author)

Book Description

Series: Topics in Autism | Publication Date: January 2004

Parents of a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) need clear, comprehensive information to decipher the complex, behaviour-based diagnostic evaluations and definitions. This guide for lay readers clarifies the process of diagnosis for parents who don't fully understand it or wonder whether there is another ASD diagnosis that's more appropriate for their child. The book is also an excellent tool for families who suspect their child has an ASD but doesn't yet have a diagnosis. With more children diagnosed with ASDs than ever before, parents need reliable advice and information to make sense of their child's diagnosis. This invaluable guide is their answer. It can help families, as well as educators and caregivers, unlock many of the mysteries and nuances behind the ever-evolving diagnostic process.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[E]asy to read, objective, comprehensive, and a good choice if parents or professionals were to choose only one book." -- Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, June 2005

Strongly recommended for all public libraries and for academic libraries with ASD collections. -- Library Journal, starred review, April 15, 2004

This definitive manual truly demystifies autism spectrum disorders. -- ForeWord Magazine, August/September 2004

About the Author

Carolyn T. Bruey, Psy.D., has more than twenty years experience working with children and adults with autism, both in private practice and for institutions. She is the author or co-author of chapters in several books, including Children with Autism : A Parents’ Guide (Woodbine House, 2000). Currently Bruey is a Managing Partner of Developmental Disabilities Resources in Lititz, Pennsylvania, which provides therapeutic and diagnostic services to children and adults with ASDs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 241 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; 1 edition (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890627348
• ISBN-13: 978-1890627348
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,439,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just The Facts, August 21, 2007

By 

Chan Joon Yee "Dr Chan" (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Demystifying Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide to Diagnosis for Parents and Professionals (Topics in Autism) (Paperback)

"A guide to diagnosis for parents and professionals". That's an accurate description of what this book is all about.

The book is divided into 9 chapters. The introduction tells us why diagnosis is important - not so much to label the child but to empower parents with the knowledge to seek proper treatment.

The next chapter highlights some of the early signs that make parents suspect if their child may be autistic. Chapter 3 deals with the history and theories or the causes of autism. Even the experts don't know everything and new insights into ASD are gained every day.

The couple of chapters will turn an uninformed layman into an informed one. Most of us think of autism as a single disorder with its classic signs. It is more accurate to view autism as a spectrum of disorders that can vary from individual to individual. The 5 ASDs are namely:

1. Autistic disorder
2. Asperger's disorder
3. Pervasive developmental disorder
4. Childhood disintegrative disorder
5. Rett's disorder

The author explains each disorder within the spectrum in great detail. Even though a lot of jargon is used, concise explanations are provided. The curious reader has much to gain from all this.

The next couple of chapters deal with the diagnostic process. The author emphasises on a multi-disciplinary approach. However, parents would know that the ideal diagnostic team is seldom possible. Most children are diagnosed by a lone psychologist. The final chapters deal with treatment. The author discusses the pros and cons of drug treatment, various teaching methods, inclusive schollong etc. Many real life experiences of parents with children with ASD are briefly mentioned in the book. I find it useful to let the reader know about what other parents are doing and have gone through. I have no problems digesting all the information in the book, but some of the less curious readers may want a book more suited to "dummies".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent overview of ASD's, February 20, 2006

By 

Aspie Mom (Scarsdale, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Demystifying Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide to Diagnosis for Parents and Professionals (Topics in Autism) (Paperback)

As the parent of a son with Asperger's Syndrome, I've read many books on autistic spectrum disorders (ASD's). I found this book to be a detailed, clearly-written overview of ASD's. The book contains a wealth of information regarding how to decide whether your child may have an ASD and if so, which diagnosis might apply. The book also provides an overview of various treatments, but the main focus is diagnosis.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, easy to read, December 26, 2005

By 

K. Carroll - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Demystifying Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide to Diagnosis for Parents and Professionals (Topics in Autism) (Paperback)

As the mother of a little boy with PDD-NOS, I found this an excellent, comprehensive read. The author seemed to cover the characteristic "quirks" seen in these kids in greater detail than I've found in other introductory books. For example, she mentioned an obsession with the mechanization and movement of objects, something I'd noticed in my son from an early age. I'd highly recommend this to someone just starting out on their journey to understand their child.