Helping Your Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Families [Paperback]

Jennifer M. Gillis M.A. BCABA (Author), Stephanie B. Lockshin Ph.D. BCBA (Author), Raymond G. Romanczyk Ph.D. BCBA (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2005

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by severe developmental impairments, including lowered social function and communication skills. Having a child with an ASD greatly stresses the emotional, financial, and social resources of the family. With this workbook, parents learn the latest and most effective ASD management techniques for their children, including the use of the family enhancement treatment model designed by the authors-a program that provides step-by-step guidelines for fostering children's abilities and enhancing the health of the whole family.

The book encourages parents to seek a balance between child-centered and family-centered goals. Parents learn how to assess their children's needs and create a personalized intervention plan compatible with the family's resources, goals, and priorities. Worksheets guide parents through the assessment and decision making process.

The family enhancement plan shows how specific family needs can suggest specific child-centered target behaviors. When accomplished, these behavior goals-like the accomplishment of certain chores or the ability to go with the family on an outing or errands-will benefit both child and family.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the Publisher

This workbook teaches parents how to improve their children's functioning at home and increase their social function and independence while also emphasizing the importance of taking care of the family as a whole.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 1 edition (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572243848
• ISBN-13: 978-1572243842
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Handbook!, May 25, 2006

By 

L. Weiser (Nowhere, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Helping Your Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Families (Paperback)

This book is easy to comprehend. It is broken down into stages. You are set up to analyze your child, your family, your life. The purpose of the book is to help you bring you family dynamics back where they should be. The first thing you're told to do is identify stressors. Then you examine yourself to see how you react to stress. Then you find ways to reduce your stress. It even gives warnings about depression and anxiety and advice for seeing a doctor for yourself. As a parent we all know that if we cannot function, the family cannot function. And when dealing with special needs, we need to be calm and in control or our child will not be calm and in control. The book is also full of helpful advice. For example, there are helper phrases that you can use to explain to your non-ASD children about why the rules and consequences are different for your ASD child. And as you walk through the book step by step, you are building a personalized plan for your very own family. A plan to get your family working together as a team. And your ASD child is PART OF THE TEAM. As you move along, your children will feel more equal. I LOVE that this book focuses on family. All too often I have had therapists and specialists telling me what I need to do for him. Finally there is a book that stresses the importance of everyone in the family being healthy. For too long our family has revolved around our child with ASD and everyone notices. I am excited to work through the entire book and see the results. So far it's been terrific.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars must have guidebook, March 14, 2006

By 

Nana (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Helping Your Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Families (Paperback)

This is an excellent, easy to understand and navigate resource for all persons affected by Autism. Parents, grandparents, friends and caregivers alike can all benefit from reading this book. It gives many ways to help your child and give you guidance in understanding your neuro-atypical child.