Foreword xvii
Introduction 1
About This Book 2
Conventions Used in This Book 2
What You’re Not to Read 3
Foolish Assumptions 3
How This Book Is Organized 4
Part I: Understanding Autism 4
Part II: Addressing Physical Needs 4
Part III: Enhancing Learning and Social Skills 5
Part IV: Living with Autism as an Adult 5
Part V: The Part of Tens 6
Icons Used in This Book 6
Where to Go from Here 7
Part I: Understanding Autism 9
Chapter 1: Autism: The Big Picture 11
What We Know — and Don’t Know — about Autism 12
Making the Diagnosis: Learning Your ASDs 13
Understanding the diagnostic criteria 14
Seeing the signs: Autism symptoms 15
Understanding the Far-Reaching Impact of Autism 17
How autism can affect the diagnosed individual 18
How autism can affect families, schools, and communities 18
How autism can affect caregivers 19
Navigating the Sea of Interventions 20
Using behavioral, developmental, and other educationally based interventions 21
Implementing occupational and speech-language therapies 23
Medicating symptoms that can accompany autism 23
Applying biomedical and natural interventions 24
If You Think You (Or People You Care for) Have Undiagnosed Autism 25
Chapter 2: From Classification to Treatment: Scanning the Autism Spectrum 27
Surveying the Colors of Autism 28
Severe (or “classic”) autism 29
PDD and PDD-NOS 30
Asperger Syndrome 31
Considering Conditions That Resemble Autism 32
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder 32
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 33
Other possible diagnoses 33
Understanding Why Early Treatment Matters More than Classification 35
Attempting early identification and intervention 35
Getting good medical care 36
Enrolling in effective early programs 37
Chapter 3: Causes, Clusters, and Clues: Where Does Autism Come From? 39
Considering the Rise in Diagnoses 40
Exploring the Genetic Link 41
Familial patterns 41
Brain size and structure 42
The brain-gut connection 44
The testosterone link 45
Examining Biomedical Theories 45
What do allergies have to do with it? 46
Heavy-metal poisoning hypotheses 47
Autoimmune or virus-induced theories of causation 49
The Backlash Against the Cure 50
Chapter 4: Getting a Diagnosis 53
Tracking Your Child’s Medical History 54
Broaching the Possibility of Autism with a Doctor 55
Preparing for the consultation 56
Requesting a referral 57
Consulting a Specialist 58
Contacting a qualified specialist 59
Sharing information 62
Embarking on the assessment process 62
Diagnosing related conditions 65
Dealing with the Impact of the Diagnosis 67
Coming to terms emotionally 68
Taking action 68
Avoiding scams 69
Chapter 5: Asperger Syndrome and Autism 71
Discovering Where Asperger Syndrome Sits on the Autism Spectrum 72
Examining common characteristics of Asperger’s 72
Diagnosing Asperger Syndrome 73
Examining typical nondiagnostic personality traits of Asperger Syndrome 76
Helping People with Asperger Syndrome Socialize 78
Finding the hidden curriculum 79
Handling idioms and figures of speech 80
Dealing with the Emotions Triggered by Asperger Syndrome 82
Avoiding the rage cycle 83
Working through frustration 87
Using emotion thermometers to gauge emotional states 87
Recognizing Bullying and Its Emotional Repercussions 89
Signs of bullying 90
Taming the bullies 91
Transitioning to Adulthood 91
Part II: Addressing Physical Needs 93
Chapter 6: Injecting Yourself with Knowledge about Autism Medication 95
Considering Drug Therapy 95
Looking at how medication can realistically help 96
Educating yourself and pursuing drug therapy 96
Using medication wisely 97
Identifying Helpful Medications 99
Beginning the process with a qualified doctor 100
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) 101
Atypical antipsychotic drugs 102
Tricyclic drugs 104
Antiepileptics (also known as anticonvulsants) 105
Medications for challenging behaviors in severely affected people with autism 106
Maximizing Safety When Vaccinating Your Child 107
Considering your child’s medical history 107
Looking at an alternate vaccination schedule 108
Chapter 7: Improving Immunity and Boosting Biochemistry 109
Taking a Look at the Balancing Act of the Immune System 110
Exposing the Relationship between Autism and Immune Abnormalities 112
Analyzing immune measurements in the blood 113
Exploring gut problems 114
Studying brain tissue 115
Improving Immunity 116
Focusing on first-line fundamentals 117
Seeking out second-line strategies 118
Tackling third-line therapies 119
Biochemistry Begets Behavior: A New Way of Thinking 121
Shedding light on the broken pathways 121
Maximizing metabolism 122
Getting the Lead (and Mercury) Out 124
Why the autistic child? 124
Testing for toxicity 125
Chelating 125
Chapter 8: Optimizing Nutrition 129
Tempering Your Expectations 130
Considering Your Dietary Intervention Options 130
Cleaning up your child’s diet 131
Going wheat and dairy free 133
Supplementing your child’s diet 136
Implementing Your Plan 138
Keeping a food and symptom diary 138
Involving professionals 140
Easing the transition 141
Experimenting with specialized diets 142
Eating on the road 143
Part III: Enhancing Learning and Social Skills 145
Chapter 9: Choosing an Appropriate Behavioral, Developmental, or Educational Intervention 147
Understanding What to Look for in the Alphabet Soup of Approaches 148
Actions and behaviors that lead to success in all interventions 149
Keys to success in educational interventions 149
Exploring Popular Intervention Approaches 150
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) 151
Daily Life Therapy (DLT) 155
Developmental Individual Difference Relation-Based Intervention (DIR) 157
Miller Method 160
Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) 164
Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) 169
Social Communication Emotional Regulation Transactional Support Model (SCERTS) 173
Deciding Which Method Is Best for Your Child 176
Financing the At-Home Program of Your Choice 177
Exploring your at-home options 177
Obtaining government assistance 178
Chapter 10: Dealing with Learning and Sensory Differences 181
Autistic Learning: Transferring Skills and Providing Structure 182
Thinking conceptually and transferring concepts 182
Incorporating routine into daily life 184
Bridging the Communication Gap 186
Developing sign language as a communication bridge 186
Working toward functional communication 186
Using assistive communication technology 187
Enjoying music therapy 193
“Retraining” the Brain through Neurotherapy 194
Examining and implementing neurotherapy 195
Reviewing a neurotherapy study 196
Making Sense of Sensory Confusion 197
Observing sensory integration challenges 197
Using hippotherapy 200
Working with speech-language pathologists 200
Seeing through Irlen-branded lenses 201
Handling Your Child’s Sensory Issues 202
The supermarket test 202
The eyes have it 203
The auditory-processing blues 204
Socially unacceptable stimming 204
Dealing with the most severe behaviors 206
Chapter 11: Finding a Learning Environment That Fits Your Child’s Needs 207
Inclusion: To Be or Not to Be? 208
Recognizing an Effective Classroom 209
Maintaining routine and predictability 209
Learning through all the senses 211
Evaluating the room itself 212
Observing a Good Teacher 215
Characteristics to look for in an educator 215
Warning flags to avoid in an educator 216
Developing Effective Accommodations 217
Accommodations in action 218
Addressing the fairness of accommodations 219
Considering educational techniques for promoting inclusion 222
Weighing Your Options when the Public School System Falls Short 224
Exploring the world of home schooling 224
Considering other educational options 226
Understanding and Reducing Challenging Behaviors 226
Getting to the core of the behavior 227
Performing a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) 227
Chapter 12: Legally Speaking: Making the Most of Your Child’s Education 235
Navigating the Legal and Education Systems 235
Understanding what the law allows 236
Keeping track of changes in the law 236
Staying Involved with Your Child’s Education 238
Working within the system 238
Supporting your child at home 239
Acting Early with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) 240
Specifying Special: Entering the Public School System 241
Initiating an evaluation to establish eligibility 241
Implementing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) 243
Assessing Your Child’s Progress 250
Flexing Your Educational Rights When You Need To 251
Chapter 13: Fostering Healthy Relationships 253
Recognizing the Social Challenges an Autistic Child Faces 254
Understanding social norms 254
Conversing and cooperating 255
Supporting a child when verbal communication is minimal or nonexistent 256
All in the Family 258
Talking about autism with your kids 259
Considering the challenges siblings face 260
Including extended family 263
Encouraging Your Child to Form Friendships 264
Staging an emotional rescue 265
Creating social stories and calling on Power Cards 266
Making conversation 268
Sparking interactive play 269
Respecting differences 270
Part IV: Living with Autism as an Adult 271
Chapter 14: For Adults with Autism: Living Well after K-12 273
Discovering How to Live Interdependently 274
Managing your daily life 274
Deciding where to live 275
For caregivers: Preparing your dependent to succeed from day one 276
Out of the High-School Daze: Pursuing Higher Education 277
Evaluating your educational options 278
Getting the accommodations you need for higher education 282
Practicing self-advocacy and disclosure 283
Easing into higher education 284
For caregivers: Helping your dependent realize his/her higher-education dreams 285
Time to Nurture Your Bank Account: Finding (and Keeping) Employment 285
Matching your skills and desires with job opportunities 286
Working with a job coach 287
Applying for and obtaining a position 288
Maintaining your job 291
Gracefully exiting your position 291
Considering self-employment 292
For caregivers: Helping a dependent find employment 293
An Advocate Off the Ol’ Block: Getting Involved with Your Community 295
Becoming a part of your community 296
Looking within the autism community 297
For caregivers: Encouraging an adult with autism to get involved 299
Chapter 15: For Adults with Autism: Fostering Friendships and Romantic Relationships 301
Developing Friendly Relationships 302
Understanding the circle of relationships 302
Making first contact 304
For caregivers: Helping your dependent establish friendships 306
Recognizing (And Overcoming) the Challenges of Dating 307
Asking for a date 307
Behaving appropriately during the date 309
Opting for full or no disclosure 310
For caregivers: Moving on to dating 311
Taking It to the Next Level with Sexual Behavior 312
The most important part of boyfriend or girlfriend is “friend” 313
Engaging in sexual activity 314
For caregivers: Exploring sex education for people with autism 315
Chapter 16: Special-Needs Planning for the Future 319
Avoiding Common Financial Mistakes 320
Putting Plan to Paper: Getting Started 320
Taking account of your child’s prognosis 321
Keeping eligibility for government services in mind 322
Sizing up your estate 323
Considering living arrangements and guardianship 323
Involving an Attorney and/or Financial Planner 323
Writing Your Will 325
Setting up a special-needs trust 326
Giving a morally obligated gift 330
Designating guardianship 331
Part V: The Part of Tens 333
Chapter 17: Ten Tactful Responses to Challenging Questions or Comments 335
“What Special Talent Does He Have?” 335
“Why Can’t You Control Your Kid?” 336
“Asperger Snausperger. He Looks Fine. He Just Needs a Better Attitude.” 337
“Who Did He Inherit It From?” 337
“Why Should Your Child Get Special Treatment?” 338
“Are You Kidnapping That Child?” 338
The “Bad-Parent” Look 339
“Is She Still in Her Own World?” 339
“They Grow Out of It, Don’t They?” 340
“But She Doesn’t Look Autistic ” 340
Chapter 18: Ten Things to Do after a Diagnosis 341
Learn and Read as Much as Possible 341
Network with Other Families 342
Test, Test, Test 342
Investigate Sources of Financial Aid 342
Consider Major Lifestyle Changes 343
Set Up an Educational/Behavioral Program in Your Home 343
Begin Therapies 343
Address Your Child’s Diet and Nutrition 344
Don’t Give Up 344
Get Out and Relax 344
Appendix: Where to Go for More Help 345
Finding Other Helpful Texts 345
Specializing in autism spectrum disorders 347
Special-education publishers 347
Research journals and magazines 348
Surfing Informative Sites on the Web 348
Connecting with advocacy organizations 349
Perusing general-information sites 350
Having some fun 351
Gaining insight from people with an ASD 351
Chatting about autism 352
Exploring listserves 353
Accessing World-Wide Autism Organizations and Resources 354
Index 355
