Thinking Person's Guide to Autism (TPGA) is the resource we wish we'd had when autism first became part of our lives: a one-stop source for carefully curated, evidence-based information from autism parents, autistics, and autism professionals.
Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Refreshingly free of dogma, disinformation, and heavy-handed agendas, The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism is an oasis of sanity, compassion, and hope for people on the spectrum and those who love them. --Steve Silberman, senior writer for Wired magazine and autism/neurodiversity blogger for the Public Library of Science
This is a book of HOPE. The underlying message is that however tough things may be, however difficult they may get, don't give up. Things can and generally, but not always will get better and there are resources available and people willing to help you give your child the best possible life. I believe this book may be the turning point in the lives of many parents of autistic children, but what do I know? I am an autistic adult and I contributed --Rory Patton, self-advocate, Springing Tiger
When Hank got his autism diagnosis, they gave us a binder from Autism Speaks. [Thinking Person's Guide to Autism] is the book I wish we'd been given. --Colin Meloy of The Decemberists and Wildwood
This is a book of HOPE. The underlying message is that however tough things may be, however difficult they may get, don't give up. Things can and generally, but not always will get better and there are resources available and people willing to help you give your child the best possible life. I believe this book may be the turning point in the lives of many parents of autistic children, but what do I know? I am an autistic adult and I contributed --Rory Patton, self-advocate, Springing Tiger
When Hank got his autism diagnosis, they gave us a binder from Autism Speaks. [Thinking Person's Guide to Autism] is the book I wish we'd been given. --Colin Meloy of The Decemberists and Wildwood
About the Author
Editors: Shannon Des Roches Rosa Jennifer Byde Myers Liz Ditz Emily Willingham Carol Greenburg
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a pediatrician and mom to an 8 year old autistic boy, I found this book to be authentic and spot on. The book addresses practical autism issues like parental/caregiver stress, planning for your child's future, meltdowns, potential guilt over not refusing vaccines and not trying the myriad of costly pseudoscience treatments, the role of the education system, friends, therapists, and medications. Many of the topics were blog posts from various internet sites; thus, they read like a collection of greatest hits by parents and specialists affected by autism in their own lives. THEY GET IT. They share their joy, sorrow, anger, mistakes and speak of real solutions not false promises of cure. Even as a well read medical provider and parent, I still learned from this book. Some of the topics covered are short on detail, but the reader is referred to other quality sources for in depth coverage.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Jayneth
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm an autistic adult studying & working in the field of Intellectual Disabilities, & if I could afford to buy a copy of this book for all of my friends, for all of my tutors, colleagues, & classmates,then I absolutely would.
The book is perfectly titled, containing insightful, thoughtful pieces that cover many aspects of life on the spectrum. It presents autism realistically, without any of the unnecessary (& potentially damaging) negativity that is so often pushed by organizations who claim to speak for us whilst near-actively excluding us. It offers hope, sound advice, and true understanding - and as such, is a long-overdue, sorely-needed revelation.
Please, please, please - if you live with, work with, love, and/or care for an autistic person; then read this book.
The book is perfectly titled, containing insightful, thoughtful pieces that cover many aspects of life on the spectrum. It presents autism realistically, without any of the unnecessary (& potentially damaging) negativity that is so often pushed by organizations who claim to speak for us whilst near-actively excluding us. It offers hope, sound advice, and true understanding - and as such, is a long-overdue, sorely-needed revelation.
Please, please, please - if you live with, work with, love, and/or care for an autistic person; then read this book.
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Thinking Person's Guide To Autism has set a new standard for special needs parenting books. It is packed with the practical, helpful and necessary information parents need to know--but it also offers much comfort, hope and inspiration. While it's an outstanding first book to reach for after a diagnosis of autism, those in the throes of autism parenting or who have grown children will also discover much that is useful. And this guide isn't just relevant to autism; I have a child with cerebral palsy, and found so much in the book insightful, from dealing with meltdowns to creating a Special Education PTA.
Each chapter is written by a different person: one of the authors (the five women behind the TPGA site), top experts, powerful voices from the blogosphere and beyond, and well-known advocates including Holly Robinson Peete and Susan Senator. There's step-by-step info, explanations of various therapies, resources, debunking of myths, heartfelt musings on acceptance, hard-hitting looks at causes, treatment, education and inclusion. The essays are beautifully written, moving and smart; one of my favorites is "Buying Hope" by Jennifer Byde Myers (mom to a child with autism and cerebral palsy) about the endless products and potions we parents purchase to help our kids, and how to avoid wasting your money and emotional energy.
I've been turned off by other guidebooks for special needs parenting because I've found them to be negative, unrealistic or both. Thinking Person's Guide To Autism, however, is empowering and all about real life. You'll want to read this book not because you "should" but because you will be grateful that you did; it's bound to improve your life as the parent of a child with special needs, and your child's life, too.
Each chapter is written by a different person: one of the authors (the five women behind the TPGA site), top experts, powerful voices from the blogosphere and beyond, and well-known advocates including Holly Robinson Peete and Susan Senator. There's step-by-step info, explanations of various therapies, resources, debunking of myths, heartfelt musings on acceptance, hard-hitting looks at causes, treatment, education and inclusion. The essays are beautifully written, moving and smart; one of my favorites is "Buying Hope" by Jennifer Byde Myers (mom to a child with autism and cerebral palsy) about the endless products and potions we parents purchase to help our kids, and how to avoid wasting your money and emotional energy.
I've been turned off by other guidebooks for special needs parenting because I've found them to be negative, unrealistic or both. Thinking Person's Guide To Autism, however, is empowering and all about real life. You'll want to read this book not because you "should" but because you will be grateful that you did; it's bound to improve your life as the parent of a child with special needs, and your child's life, too.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm high functioning autistic. This book was recommended to me as a collection of stories from "people who get it." Not so at all.
This book is geared almost exclusively toward parents of autistic children, instead of the people who really need the help and understanding - autistic people. This book doesn't talk about what happens when that cute autistic child becomes an autistic adult. It centers on parental grief (wildly offensive notion - we are not something to grieve over!) and things you can do to help your child. In theory, that's an awesome idea, but there are no services or books for autistic adults, and this doesn't help.
The copy needs to be edited to clearly show that this is all about parents and the issues of caring for us, instead of directed at autistic adults who want to hear from people who understand us. Really disappointing.
This book is geared almost exclusively toward parents of autistic children, instead of the people who really need the help and understanding - autistic people. This book doesn't talk about what happens when that cute autistic child becomes an autistic adult. It centers on parental grief (wildly offensive notion - we are not something to grieve over!) and things you can do to help your child. In theory, that's an awesome idea, but there are no services or books for autistic adults, and this doesn't help.
The copy needs to be edited to clearly show that this is all about parents and the issues of caring for us, instead of directed at autistic adults who want to hear from people who understand us. Really disappointing.
15 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The New Essential Guidebook for Your Autism Journey -- a Must Read!
January 11, 2012
By Gail Pubols
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An excellent, comprehensive, balanced and very readable collection of essays that answer all of the questions you might have about autism. This book illuminates the way forward for both parents of autistic children and adults who are starting to recognize autism in themselves. Far away from the stereotype of Rainman and the emotional blame-game surrounding vaccines, The Thinking Person's Guide To Autism presents a thoughtful picture of the realities of autism as told by parents, professionals, and most importantly, autistic people themselves, who are all too often ignored by those who would purport to help them.
My son was diagnosed as moderately/severely autistic 2 years ago at age 2.5 and in those 2 years I have spent countless hours researching anything and everything about autism. I have wasted a lot of time on unproven theories and methods, and have had a lot of worry about therapies, the school system and his future. I could have saved myself a lot of time, money, and stress if this guidebook had only been released 3 years ago. When we first had our suspicions about our son, we were told: "He's just a boy, wait until he is 3, you are overreacting...", but it is so important not to wait! If you are a parent who suspects that your child is autistic, you have come to the right place. Order this book now and start off on your journey with a sound autism education. Read it, then give it to anyone who is going to come in contact with your child -- it really helps for everyone on your "team" to be on the same page, especially grandparents (old autism stereotypes die hard, but this book will help).... Read more ›
My son was diagnosed as moderately/severely autistic 2 years ago at age 2.5 and in those 2 years I have spent countless hours researching anything and everything about autism. I have wasted a lot of time on unproven theories and methods, and have had a lot of worry about therapies, the school system and his future. I could have saved myself a lot of time, money, and stress if this guidebook had only been released 3 years ago. When we first had our suspicions about our son, we were told: "He's just a boy, wait until he is 3, you are overreacting...", but it is so important not to wait! If you are a parent who suspects that your child is autistic, you have come to the right place. Order this book now and start off on your journey with a sound autism education. Read it, then give it to anyone who is going to come in contact with your child -- it really helps for everyone on your "team" to be on the same page, especially grandparents (old autism stereotypes die hard, but this book will help).... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Shining Beacon of Reason
If you are the parent of a child on the autism spectrum or on the spectrum yourself, this book is a must have. Read more
Published 1 month ago by GomerKierkegaard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Written by the people who know autism for the people who think they...
The different essays, written by people who live day-to-day with autism, are clear and compelling. The editors of the book took their time to pick only the best of the best when it... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ren
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy the book, not the kindle version
This book is an absolutely wonderful resource, and the best book (of many) I've read on the topic. Very deserving of five stars. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Bonnie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book provides insights from different angles
With a autistic son and twin boys plus a part-time job I hardly have time to myself and let alone reading. Read more
Published 14 months ago by TwinMommy
1.0 out of 5 stars
More Pharmaceutical Indoctrination
Another reviewer said the book was "refreshingly free of dogma, disinformation, and heavy-handed agendas". I couldn't disagree more. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Petnut2
1.0 out of 5 stars
Bypass. Search for Better Solutions.
Search for books and practitioners who understand the environmental causes and truly know the inner workings of the body much more than the average doc. Read more
Published 15 months ago by goforward
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Thinking Guide for Thinking Readers!
I finally finished reading Thinking Person's Guide to Autism. It took several months to read 1 or 2 essays in the morning-then digesting them along with my breakfast. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Barbara Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Title Speaks for the Book
This is an excellent autism resource for parents,teachers, and other professionals who work with the Spectrum population on some level. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Autiesmama
5.0 out of 5 stars
Readable, referenced, and real
As a practicing pediatrician and parent, I highly recommend this book.
TPGA is a readable collection of short essays from people whose lives have been changed by autism. Read more
TPGA is a readable collection of short essays from people whose lives have been changed by autism. Read more
Published 16 months ago by kckidsdoc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Serious, Comprehensive and Well-Written
Cheers and congratulations to Shannon Des Roches Rosa, Jennifer Byde Myers, Liz Ditz, Emily Willingham, and Carol Greenburg, the editors of Thinking Person's Guide to Autism. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Bobbi Sheahan
