Healthcare for Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Guide to Medical, Nutritional, and Behavioral Issues (Topics in Autism) [Paperback]

Fred R. Volkmar (Author), Lisa A. Wiesner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Topics in Autism | Publication Date: January 2004

Although children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be as healthy as other children, keeping them that way can be a challenge. Routine doctor visits, for instance, can be especially trying for children with ASDs due to sensory sensitivities or communication difficulties. Issues such as sleep problems, unusual eating habits, and impulsive or aggressive behaviours can also threaten their health. Experts in the field of autism, offer parents accessible and authoritative information for dealing with these challenges and understanding what's most important to their child's medical, nutritional, and behavioural well-being. The book covers the following topics: Handling doctor visits and hospitalisations; Growth and nutrition; Safety issues at home, school, and in the community; Sleep; Seizures; Dental care; Sensory issues; Medications and behaviour; Adolescent issues; Behavioural deterioration; Complementary and alternative treatments.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[H]ighly recommended for a broad audience but especially for parents and other family members, childcare providers, and teachers." -- Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Fall 2005

[N]ecessary reading for all PTs and PTAs working in pediatrics or school systems. For parents...an essential medical reference. -- Advance for Physical Therapists & PT Assistants, September 27, 2004

About the Author

Fred R. Volkmar, M.D., is Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology at the Yale University Child Study Center. He is the primary author of the American Psychiatric Association’s DSMIV section on autism and pervasive developmental disorders. Volkmar is the director of autism research at Yale, and the coauthor of a number of books, including Asperger Syndrome, and The Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders.

Lisa A. Wiesner, M.D., is a pediatrician in private practice in Orange, Connecticut. She is a graduate of Harvard College and Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric training at Yale New Haven Hospital and a fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at Yale.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; 1 edition (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933149972
• ISBN-13: 978-0933149977
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,449,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Fred R. Volkmar, M.D. is Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology and Director of the Yale University Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine. He is also the Chief of Child Psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT. A graduate of the University of Illinois where he received in undergraduate degree in psychology in 1972 and of Stanford University where he received his MD and a master's degree in psychology in 1976 Dr. Volkmar was the primary author of the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV autism and pervasive developmental disorders section. He is the author of several hundred scientific papers and chapters as well as a number of books including Asperger's Syndrome (Guilford Press), Health Care for Children on the Autism Spectrum (Woodbine Publiushing), and the Handbook of Autism (Wiley Publishing) with three books forcoming. He has served as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and the American Journal of Psychiatry and now serves as Editor of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. He has served as co-chairperson of the autism/intellectual disabilities committee of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In addition to having directed the internationally known autism clinic he also served as director of autism research at Yale before becoming chairperson of the Department. Dr. Volkmar has been the principal investigator of three program project grants including a CPEA (Collaborative Program of Excellent in Autism) grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and a STAART (Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment) Autism Center Grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fills a real need, February 7, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Healthcare for Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Guide to Medical, Nutritional, and Behavioral Issues (Topics in Autism) (Paperback)

I am a physician and have looked for years for a book that would talk about medical care for children with autism and have now found it. This book is going to be a great resource for parents and teachers; it offers some good information to health care providers as well. It is balanced. Offers good coverage of a range of issues. The section on insurance is great - I don't know why the authors didn't put it early on in the book (they put it as an appendix)! The chapter on alternative treatments is very well done. Many great tips for managing office visits, the ER, hospitals, etc. Great reading list -Worth every penny!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great source of practical knowledgeable information, February 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Healthcare for Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Guide to Medical, Nutritional, and Behavioral Issues (Topics in Autism) (Paperback)

This book provides a great deal of practical information for the parent of a child with autism. Routine health care visits and dental appointments and such can be incredibly stressful for children with autism and their parents, and the book provides practical advice on these issues. Another helpful chapter was that on using medication or other kinds of non medical treatments that you can find on the internet. There's so much information out there that it helps to have two authoritative voices helping one to sort these things through.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Volkmar is unreliable, December 4, 2009

By 

Justin Reilly (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Healthcare for Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Guide to Medical, Nutritional, and Behavioral Issues (Topics in Autism) (Paperback)

I would not believe anything he writes because of his anti-science bias. For example, in his adolescent psychiatry book he presents alot of patent falsehoods on ME (CFS) that likely serve to retard the science and cause a great deal of iatrogenic morbidity.