Hope for the Autism Spectrum: A Mother and Son Journey of Insight and Biomedical Intervention [Hardcover]

Sally Kirk (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1843108941 | ISBN-13: 978-1843108948 | Publication Date: September 15, 2008 | Edition: 1

When Sally Kirk's son, Will, was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), she did everything she could to understand his condition and to find ways of improving his quality of life. In this book, Sally shares the story of her journey with Will and how her discovery of biomedical interventions significantly improved his behavior and changed their lives for the better. This positive, practical book tells a personal story of hope and provides a wealth of essential information on biodmedical interventions for parents of children on the autism spectrum.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Sally Kirk has done a fantastic job taking a very complicated subject and explaining it in a way that is easy to understand and even entertaining, while staying true to the science. I think this book is a must-read for every parent of a child with autism and anyone else who wants to better comprehend the medical treatment options for the disorder.' --- Bryan Jepson, MD, Thoughtful House Center for Children, author of Changing the Course of Autism

'Sally Kirk has written a heart-warming report of her journey into biomedical therapies for her ASD son. Readers will readily identify with the questions she faced about this new way to treat autism. I particularly liked her husband's conversion from skeptic to enthusiastic supporter about these strategies as he saw his son improve. The book is helpful and enjoyable reading, highly recommended for new families starting on the long path of healing for our deserving and wonderful children.' -----Jaquelyn McCandless, MD, author of Children with Starving Brains and a regular speaker at Defeat Autism Now! conferences



'Ms. Kirk's book is clear, concise and informative. She takes rather complicated topics and translates them into easy-to-understand concepts. I highly recommended this book for parents and professionals who want to learn the basics about biomedical interventions.' -----Steve Edelson, PhD, Director of the Autism Research Institute

About the Author

Sally Kirk lives with her husband and their three boys in Midlothian, Virginia. Over the years, the diagnosis of her son Will changed from motor delay to ADHD to Asperger's syndrome despite numerous therapies, special education and treatments. Biomedical interventions, starting three years ago at age eleven, continue to have a dramatic and beneficial impact on Will's life.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (September 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843108941
• ISBN-13: 978-1843108948
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,211,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What the Autism Research Institute says about this book, October 10, 2008

By 

Laura "Laura" (Hillsborough, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hope for the Autism Spectrum: A Mother and Son Journey of Insight and Biomedical Intervention (Hardcover)

The Autism Research Institute highly recommends this book (I have attached their review below). I think that speaks volumes about the value of the book content. I can also tell you that the book is easy to read and understand (and even entertaining at times). It provides detailed information to parents about how they can help their children through changes in diet and by reducing exposure to environmental toxins. Its value lies in its heartfelt story and in its nuts-and-bolts advice.

Here is the Autism Research Institute review:
Sallie Kirk joins the ranks of Warrior Moms who have turned author with her new book Hope for the Autism Spectrum, (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, September 2008). In her first-hand account of the journey she's taken through the autism spectrum with her son Will, she describes how her experiences using a biomedical approach served to vastly improve the quality of his life.

As Will's story unfolds over the course of this 320-page book, readers learn of the many biomedical interventions available - all told from a mother's invaluable first-hand perspective.
A strong proponent of the Defeat Autism Now! approach (a project of the Autism Research Institute -ARI), Ms. Kirk describes with careful detail the progress Will made in the care of a physician skilled at implementing these treatments, and includes ARI's Parental Ratings of Biomedical Interventions in the appendix of her book.

Hope for the Autism Spectrum received the coveted starred (noteworthy) review in the Library Journal, which called it "An essential book for public libraries." Read the Library Journal review online

Although biomedical treatment is generally recommended as early as possible, Ms. Kirk's story proves that it's never too late: she didn't begin biomedical treatment with Will until he was 11, and it was these very interventions that made a huge difference in his progress.

A highly recommended book for parents who want to learn about how biomedical interventions can help their child.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If I could, I would give this book 10 stars! It deserves it!!, May 23, 2009

By 

Nicole "Nicole" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hope for the Autism Spectrum: A Mother and Son Journey of Insight and Biomedical Intervention (Hardcover)

I got this book on a recommendation from a friend and by the time I had gotten through the forward, I was crying b/c the Author had already given me what the title stated - HOPE. What I love most about the book is that the Author is very open w/ her experiences and the path that they took - nothing is "good' or "bad" it either helped them or it didn't. It is very personal and is more like you are walking along side her and her family in their journey. She is not "pro" anything she tried both meds and bio-medical and found benefits to both depending on the point of the journey that they were on. Basically, reading this book feels like you are having a conversation with a friend.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book!!!!!!!, August 17, 2009

By 

J. Hummel "mother warrior" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hope for the Autism Spectrum: A Mother and Son Journey of Insight and Biomedical Intervention (Hardcover)

As a mother with a child on the autism spectrum, this book hit home and has finally given me hope with my son!!! Sally Kirk explained how a child can benefit with biomedical intervention in a very reader friendly way and so a mother without a chemical engineering background can understand the steps in this process. Thank you so much Sally for giving us this book. FINALLY we are given hope versus being told by pediatricians that there is no cure for autism. I disagree!!