Customer Reviews

The First Year: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Child

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a parent who has passed the first year after diagnosis, has read numerous books, and thought I already knew all I needed to know, I wasn't sure this book was for me. But to my surprise, I not only learned from this resource, but I wished I had it available to me when my children were diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum.

Nancy Wiseman did an incredible job taking the first year after diagnosis and establishing step by step guidelines for parents to follow. Having your child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is devastating. You feel lost, lonely, and confused. Having this book to lead you in the process can help ease some of those feelings. And you are not only getting advice from a professional in the Autism field, but also a parent of a child with Autism. She not only knows the ins and outs of dealing with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, she has lived it with her own child.

I highly recommend this book to both parents of newly diagnosed children as well as parents who have been dealing with Autism for years.

I can tell you that Autism has touched my life very deeply on both a personal and a professional level. Prior to becoming a stay at home mom, my youngest son is diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, I worked in the field for over ten years as a clinical social worker. Nancy D. Wiseman's book is essential for both parents and professionals to read! She has a very down to earth way of writing that both parents and professionals can understand. This woman is ahead of her time in writing this state of the art book that serves as a guide to help parents know what to do, step by step, on what they can do to help their child access the help he or she needs within the first year of being diagnosed. It is NEVER too late and anyone who has a child on the spectrum can benefit from reading this very comprehensive book and acting on its recommendations. Professionals can learn a great deal from reading it as well. The author has lived in the shoes of a mother who has a daughter diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. It is through her own wisdom, personal experiences, and compassion that she writes this book to help other families and their children. This is not a book about theories and abstract concepts. This is a book about what any parent with a child on the Autism Spectrum can do to help their child lead a happier and healthier life. She walks parents through what they can do and are wise to do on behalf of their child each step of the way. As a mom who has a child on the Autism Spectrum, despite my professional training and clinical experience, I know how difficult it can be to deal with the diagnosis and then how overwhelming it can be to figure out what to do next. This book is state of the art and ahead of its time. Nancy D. Wiseman takes the guess work out of what should I do and why and simply tells you! I have read countless books on Autism Spectrum Disorders over the years. This book is among the very finest ever written. I highly recommend it to parents and professionals. This book is priceless and a must read.

I simply cannot recommend this book enough. I would give it 10 stars if I could. I was fortunate enough to have found it within a week of the PDD diagnosis and it has lit my way. This book is a life saver... For me and my son. It breaks down everything that you need to know, in a very clear and precise style that empowers you to act. Everyone I meet tells me how great I am for being so organized, knowledgable, and empowered as I navigate through the PDD landscape and I tell them about this book.

From dealing with the diagnosis itself and the emotional roller coaster it subjects you to, to how to break down specialists, treatments, behaviors, roles, finances and so much more, this book lays it out in an actionable way from which you can draw hope and strength. My gulping dry words cannot express just how pivotal this book is. Five weeks ago I left the language eval being told to google PDD-NOS... My son is now in full time treatment, has an A-team of specialist working for him, and I see the road ahead of us. I have read over 25 books in the last few weeks and this is the one I turn to every day. This book breaks it down, explains what you need to do, how to organize the binder you will need to keep for records, how to break down the tasks into manageable pieces, how to research the specialists, how to get on waitlists and most importantly how to get what you need for your child. It provides you with tips, tricks, encouragement, advice, worksheets, and more. My favorite parts include the one sentence summaries at the end of each section... Wiseman just brings it all together. From one mom to another, thank you Nancy Wiseman giving me a light on the road when my day turned into night.

Nancy Wiseman offers an abundance of clearly presented, nicely organized information on the many areas where parents need to develop competence in order to be effective case managers and advocates for their child. With a mixture of candor, empathy, and the street-smarts of a veteran, she adeptly and generously shares her readers' journey through the landscape of behavioral, educational, and medical interventions that consume day-to-day life in the family of a child with autism. In addition to the wide-ranging and thoroughly researched information, Ms. Wiseman gives parents invaluable assistance with organizational and decision-making strategies along the way. She gives structure to the massive undertaking of selecting and managing interventions and providers, continually evaluating their effectiveness, and making adjustments when needed. Parents will want to read every section of this book as they navigate their way, and keep it close by to consult frequently.

Great book about Autism. My [...] year old daugther has autism and reading this book is helping me how to deal with this. Thanks to the autor to write and share her experiences in this book. I totally recommended, must have book to some one to have a beloved with this disorder..........

This is a book about the first year after a diagnosis of Autism. However, it is a good read even if it has been years since the diagnosis. I have this book and I have lent it out to at least 5 different parents. It is very easy reading and is written from the parents perspective. I love it because it doesn't have all the technical stuff, like the books written by doctors. It walks you through step by step on how to deal with IEP meetings, health Insurance and your legal rights. Everything I have learned is from this book. I was completely lost until I read it. After reading it I knew what to expect at an IEP meeting and how to get what I wanted.

This book offers invaluable information to the countless families affected by autism. Along with her 2006 book, COULD IT BE AUTISM? Nancy Wiseman brings an organized approach to the possibilities for diagnosis, action and recovery. She speaks with warmth and compassion, grounded in the authority of personal experience. It is an essential and unique addition to contemporary literature in the field.