Jonah Adams was diagnosed as autistic at two years and eight months. Just a few years later, a doctor refused to believe such a diagnosis could ever have been given to this healthy, happy boy. This is the true story of how Jonah's mother, Christina, seized his limited window of opportunity for recovery. Detailing how she utilized a combination of a special diet and one-on-one tutoring with speech therapists and behavioral psychologists, Christina shares the entire journey both she and her husband undertook to give their child a second chance at a full life.

It's All About Attitude is an inspirational book, offering a new way to see and love the special child you've been given. Authors Kathy and Gayle, each of whom has raised a son with autism, serve up emotional soul food for parents of children with special needs, no matter the age. Anyone facing life's challenges of any type will be inspired to transform their lives by changing their attitude, the key to loving living well.

For the families who have contributed to this book, living with autistic spectrum disorders has been a journey of self-discovery. With honesty and humor, they describe the ways autism has affected their daily lives, the challenges they have faced and the approaches they have found beneficial. They share their practical and original strategies for dealing with issues such as helping children to develop empathy and humor, developing and maintaining friendships and explaining their autistic spectrum disorders to other people. This book will be a source of advice and inspiration for families of children with autism and the professionals who work with them. It is practical, realistic and positive - autism is seen as something to be understood and celebrated. As 11-year-old Glen states in the Appendix, written by some of the children with autism featured in the book, `I like myself and consider my difference something positive.'

The Only Boy in the World is a memoir, an investigation into what makes us human, a study of aberration, and a love story. It’s about all the odd ways journalist Michael Blastland's autistic son, Joe, has of seeing the world and understanding others, and what that tells the rest of us about how we also tick. Through the strange stories of Joe's scrapes and confusions, he makes luminous the routine skills by which the rest of us mostly avoid the disasters that befall him. The book strives to this understanding by combining Technicolor scenes from Joe's bizarre life, from the long catalog of his social accidents, with scientific and psychological understanding of how we normally relate to other people. Illuminating the emotional core of the book are the ways that Joe and his father relate through all the turbulence to one other.

When a child is diagnosed with autism or Asperger's Syndrome, what a parent needs most is information and inspiration. After her son Jon was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in kindergarten, Ann Boushéy soon learned that, for her, knowledge was the key to peace. Written out of her own experience, this inspirational book provides the information that will empower other parents who find themselves in her situation, and inspire them in their quest for the right diagnosis and the right help for their child. With a good dose of humor, she encourages parents in the day-to-day challenges they face in parenting a child with autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Short vignettes – "Chicken Nuggets for the Soul" – at the end of each chapter make the reader feel like sitting down with her, Parent to Parent, over a cup of coffee. After reading this book, parents will come away with a sense of empowerment and feeling that they are not alone, while professionals will gain a valuable and compassionate insight into the world of parenting a child on the autism spectrum.

For parents of children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) ordinary care and parenting just doesn't always do it - AS kids need a different approach. Brenda is mother to eleven-year-old Kenneth Hall, author of Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything, and since his diagnosis at the age of eight she has gathered together the parenting ideas and tips that have had a positive effect on Kenneth's life. Among other aspects, Brenda discusses parents' reaction to their child's AS, from pre-diagnosis to acceptance of the condition, and gives advice on how parents can better understand 'Planet Asperger'. With an extensive section of practical tips for issues such as anger management and communication, this book will help parents to respond positively to the challenge of AS and find the 'treasure' in their child's way of being.

When Paul Collins's son Morgan was two years old, he could read, spell, and perform multiplication tables in his head...but not answer to his own name. A casual conversation-or any social interaction that the rest of us take for granted-will, for Morgan, always be a cryptogram that must be painstakingly decoded. He lives in a world of his own: an autistic world. In Not Even Wrong, Paul Collins melds a memoir of his son's autism with a journey into this realm of permanent outsiders. Examining forgotten geniuses and obscure medical archives, Collins's travels take him from an English churchyard to the Seattle labs of Microsoft, and from a Wisconsin prison cell block to the streets of Vienna. It is a story that reaches from a lonely clearing in the Black Forest into the London palace of King George I, from Defoe and Swift to the discovery of evolution; from the modern dawn of the computer revolution to, in the end, the author's own household. Not Even Wrong is a haunting journey into the borderlands of neurology - a meditation on what 'normal' is, and how human genius comes to us in strange and wondrous forms.

Inarguably, the most famous, successful person with autism in the world today, Temple Grandin was a non-verbal, often-violent child in the 50s. Her mother, Eustacia Cutler raised Temple when her child's condition was classified as "infant schizophrenia," brought on by "frigid mothering." The common remedy was to warehouse those diagnosed in institutions for the retarded. Eustacia's story is a strikingly honest story of myth and reality, angst and guilt, family and society. Eustacia's literary masterpiece reaches out to a much larger community than the one directly affected by the epidemic growth of autism today. "A magnificent accomplishment!"

In this intimate glimpse of the experience of raising an autistic child from a father's perspective, a leading autism advocate gives parents useful information on overcoming barriers to diagnosis, effective education, skilled therapists, and funding.

For everyone whose heart was touched by the movie Rain Man, here is the inspiring true story of an exceptional autistic savant whose musical gifts thrill audiences the world over. Ever since he was born-blind and weighing less than two pounds-Tony DeBlois has been defying the odds and wildly surpassing others' expectations. Diagnosed early on as autistic, at two years old his talent for music was revealed when he played "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on a toy piano. Going on to graduate with honors from the Berklee College of Music, today Tony leads an improvisational jazz ensemble and performs solo shows from Dublin to Taipei and even Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center. Some Kind of Genius weaves details of Tony's amazing musical accomplishments--he can play 20 instruments and his sixth CD, also titled Some Kind of Genius, is set to be released at the time of this book-with a fascinating look at savant syndrome, in which a person with certain developmental limitations exhibits brilliance in some other aspect of his life. Tony's fiercely devoted mother, Janice, also tells of her own crusade-not only for the rights of her son but on behalf of all those with special needs. Tony's story will hold special appeal for all who have seen him on the Today show and Entertainment Tonight; watched the Lifetime movie based on his life, Journey of the Heart; heard him in concert; or read about him in Dr. Darold Treffert's book Extraordinary People: Understanding Savant Syndrome.

Maud Deckmar tells a touching and honest story of living with Fred, her eldest child, who has autism and an intellectual disability. She recounts here the great struggles and sorrows as well as the love and happiness she has experienced from his early childhood to adulthood. She vividly describes the feelings of grief after Fred's diagnosis, the sense of loss when old friends distance themselves and the pervasive feelings of guilt about putting her son into care and admitting that she can no longer cope. She stresses the importance of communication and cooperation between parents and carers, and encourages them to find ways to provide the best possible support, based on specific needs and means available. Her unflinching account will resonate with and give support, comfort and courage to parents in a similar situation. It will also provide useful insights for carers and professionals in schools, care homes and institutions to better understand the feelings and experiences of families affected by disability.

This is a story of three intense early years of a little boy's life as he came out of an autistic condition. Its message of hope will touch anyone who knows what it is like to love a child.

This book presents the experiences of six parents who are raising children with autism. The children profiled here range in age from six to twenty-two years old, and exhibit a wide range of abilities and needs. One of these children needs prompting for almost every action; another child threatens to cut off the heads of his parents although he never acts on it; one child eats only five of everything; and a girl who licks plate glass. The parents' problems begin with the difficulty of obtaining a diagnosis. Autism is assumed to be a neurologically based disorder, but, as yet, there is no specific biological marker for it. Parents, often, live through many years of knowing that something is seriously wrong with their children but without receiving any professional confirmation. Even after a confirmation is obtained, there is often confusion over a specific label, such as autism or pervasive developmental disorder, where different labels can affect treatment and insurance coverage. What caused the disorder is often unknown leaving the parents with questions whether to have other children. Parents are left with mourning the loss of the child they hoped for but that never was while struggling daily with their children's unusual, disturbing, and demanding behaviors. There is often a toll on the family system, and few can really comprehend the nature of magnitude of the problem. There is no cure for autism and the problems of the autistic children persist in some form into and throughout adulthood. Somehow, despite the overwhelming odds, parents of children with autism not only manage to cope with these challenges, but also transcend them and find meaning and fulfillment in their lonely struggles.

Martha Kate Downey - a mom who has survived and yes, even enjoyed 21 years of "flavorful" parenthood. This is the perfect book for the caregiver with major challenges, but little time or energy to read a bigger book. Tips for parenting a child with special needs.

In this cross between Chicken Soup for the Soul and the best of Erma Bombeck, the author, the mother of a young boy with Asperger Syndrome, gives us a rare glimpse of the ups and downs of family life with an individual who has autism spectrum disorder. From swim meets to Chinese restaurants, from school to church, to birthday parties, and everything in between, the reader is let into the everyday lives of the Elliott family. At once tender and hilarious, the episodes in the book all illustrate the basic tenet of this charming book - while living with a child with autism spectrum disorder often leads to embarrassing moments, nobody ever needs to be ashamed.

Written by the mother of Stefan, a boy diagnosed with ADHD, Marching to a Different Tune is a day-by-day, moment-by-moment account of how his unusual and difficult behaviour affects and disrupts their family life inside and outside the home. Jacky Fletcher describes in intimate detail the struggles, embarrassments and triumphs her family experiences throughout a four year period of Stefan's childhood. The diary ends with an expression of the family's love for Stefan – as he approaches adolescence, they will learn new ways to cope with the challenges of his behaviour, applying the knowledge they have gained through experience. Marching to a Different Tune: Diary about an ADHD Boy gives an essential new perspective to the understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – it describes this complex set of behaviours from the inside. It complements and deepens the clinical presentation of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, at a time when this diagnosis is being applied to more and more children. The last chapter of the book gives a clinical description of ADHD; the appendix contains useful addresses for more information and support networks, and a list of recommended reading. This book will inform the practice of teachers and psychologists who work with ADHD children, and guide and support these children's parents and families.

During a routine parent-teacher conference in November 1991, Echo Fling was told by her son's teacher that his behaviour in class was 'not normal'. After two years at the pre-school, five-year-old Jimmy had failed to make any friends, had recently started to act aggressively towards his classmates, and was beginning to react violently to any changes in his routine. Echo was not taken completely by surprise: she had suspected for some time that her son was different from other children. Over the next five years, she and her husband accompanied Jimmy to doctors, medical specialists, learning consultants and psychologists. Finally, at the age of ten, Jimmy was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. This is the book that Echo Fling needed when she first set out to have Jimmy diagnosed, and it will enable parents and teachers to understand and help other children with Asperger Syndrome.

Kevin Foley BA (Hons) Econ. PGCE had been teaching for four years before Aspergers Syndrome was actually called Aspergers Syndrome (AS). A specialist in getting young people through exams, he was - like most teachers- totally oblivious to autistic spectrum disorders. Had it not been for a chance encounter with his son, Sean, he would probably have remained ignorant of autism bar 'a little knowledge' gleaned from watching Rainman and Forest Gump. Kevin Foley enjoyed a quarter of a century's teaching in a variety of 'challenging' settings in and out of the mainstream. In that time he saw some of his students graduate to Oxbridge whilst others graduated to penal institutions. On this journey he came to appreciate the efficacy of Solution Focused interventions and worked as Education Consultant with Eileen Murphy Consultants. But in terms of understanding autism, more important have been the lessons his son has taught him during the past eighteen years: Such as who lived at No 7 Coronation St. in 1977. And why somebody with autism would be jealous of Mr Berkeley from Star Trek. Having seen his son struggle with the demands of the mainstream, Kevin Foley now believes that: "Too many children with AS suffer 'meltdown' as a result of being forced to operate in environments that test their immature executive, social, and emotional skills to breaking point - and beyond. We need to ' personalise' our children's education so that this doesn't happen. We need to cast a cold eye on what currently passes for 'inclusion' and be aware of the intrusion and exclusion that is the daily reality for many of our children in mainstream schools" Kevin Foley has home-educated his son for the past four years.

Autism affects one in five hundred persons, and is believed to be at epidemic proportions. As scientists struggle to find a cure, Arley M. Fosburgh, mother of two autistic boys, shares with the reader a visual and poetic glimpse into the world of the autistic child. Insightful, and at times humorous, the author's heart-felt work allows the reader a birds eye view into the day to day joys and challenges of raising her sons. It is beautifully illustrated by eldest son, Raleigh, currently ten years old.

A powerful depiction of one mother's journey toward understanding and acceptance of the profound disability that affects her son. It is a testament to how deeply we love our children and how far we are willing to go for the sake of that love. Light is light, whether is comes from the sun or from another, equally remarkable source.

With the support and love of his family, and through them the neighborhood children, a nine-year-old autistic boy is able to emerge from his shell.

Chrissy is Jane Gregory's oldest child, an attractive girl with a tremendous sense of fun. She also exhibits behaviour which other people find challenging - screaming fits, stripping off her clothes, violent outbursts and self-mutilation. Although it was apparent from an early age that she had a learning disability, and subsequently that she suffered from cyclical mental illness, Chrissy remains undiagnosed. In Bringing Up a Challenging Child at Home, Jane Gregory describes her life with Chrissy candidly and pragmatically. She relates her struggles to cope with Chrissy's difficult behaviour, the effects on the rest of the family, and her attempts to understand the reasons behind it. Offering practical advice for other parents, she explains how she got the right support and effective treatment. Her story provides professionals as well as parents with a unique insight into what it is like to bring up a complex and challenging child.

A multifaceted disorder, autism has long baffled parents and professionals alike. At one time, doctors gave parents virtually no hope for combating the disorder. But in recent years, new treatments and therapies have demonstrated that improvement is possible. With intensive, early intervention, some children have recovered from autism and have been integrated into school, indistinguishable from their peers. In this greatly needed new book, author Lynn M. Hamilton draws upon her own experience of successfully parenting an autistic child to give overwhelmed moms and dads guidance, practical information, and - best of all - hope for battling this disorder in their children's lives. In Facing Autism, parents will learn ten things they can do to begin battling autism right away, investigate cutting-edge biomedical treatments and other therapies, explore the benefits of dietary intervention, and much more as they learn how to begin the fight for their child's future.

This collection of essays reveals the often dizzying mix of heart-wrenching challenge and sweet elation that comes with a son with autism. Kelly Harland’s stories explore the first nine years of her son’s life and the new and unexpected universe she and her husband -- both professional musicians -- must learn to navigate with him. Will’s fears, anxieties, and obsessions can dominate daily life, making a trip to the grocery store seem like a walk across a mine field. But amidst Will’s unpredictable “flip-outs” and “freak-outs,” Harland finds moments of wonder, and renewal when, for example, Will finally learns the give and take of conversation, or dreams about his future. Over and over Will’s exuberant spirit rekindles his mother’s belief that anything is possible. Reflecting on her life before and after motherhood, Harland finds that despite the pain and chaos of Will’s autism, her life’s horizon has stretched and grown. Her son’s disorder has pulled her in directions she never meant to go, but wouldn’t reverse for anything. A WILL OF HIS OWN should be enjoyed by other parents whose child has taken them into uncharted territory, as well as by readers who want to imagine what that journey entails.

Without Reason is Charles Hart's deeply personal, authoritative first-person probe of autism and its effects on his family. He takes us through his childhood with an autistic brother who needed constant care, to his scholarship education at Harvard, his own family of better circumstance, and the autism of his son Ted. Armed with the available knowledge about autism - one of the most enigmatic of all known disorders - he has set out to improve the quality of life for his brother, his son, and other persons with autism and their families. Through his work with the Autism Society of America and the Association for Retarded Citizens, he has accomplished this goal by providing new opportunities for learning and growth for his brother Sumner, Ted, and other people with disabilities. This is a story of one family's triumph, its victory over a social system that rarely allows for special needs, and of personal reaction with a mysterious and frustrating disorder of the mind. Charles Hart understands autism as few others can and thus offers the reader an intimate view of a family's struggle, not for a cure but for understanding and accommodation of people disabled by autism.

Laughter and Tears is a first-hand account of parenting Mark, a young man with autism, and also of a mother's struggle to understand and appreciate her son's condition. Ann Hewetson's moving and thoughtful account describes Mark's communication problems, sensory integration and food allergies, shared by many people with autism, but also tells of Mark's associated problems like rheumatoid arthritis and bipolar mood swings. The author recounts how she dedicated her life to finding out more about autism. Aided by her background in research and biology, she delves into the available literature and interweaves the narrative of Mark's life with illuminating pointers drawn from the work of Leo Kanner, Hans Asperger and Carl Delacato among others. Cutting-edge developments in the field, for instance co-existing psychiatric disorders, cognitive behaviour therapy and brain research, are also explained in a way that will be easily understood by any parent. Ann's journey from initial incomprehension and a desire to find a ‘solution' to her son's autism concludes with a resolution for both Mark and Ann as they arrive at a deeper understanding of autism and an appreciation of its strengths. This book will be indispensable to both parents and professionals in offering a unique, reflective account of Mark's exceptional life and also a wide-ranging exploration of useful and innovative approaches to autism.

When a child is diagnosed with autism, the parents' reaction is often one of hopelessness and fear. Olga Holland experienced these emotions when her son Billy was diagnosed, but instead of giving up hope, she developed strategies that have made Billy better able to cope with life. She explains how working with autism's many strengths has led to a better quality of life for all her family. Full of advice for everyday living and long-term progress, The Dragons of Autism is a positive and inspirational read, and is illustrated with Billy's dragons.

By the time he was three, Walker’s parents were concerned enough about his delayed development to consult a paediatric neurologist. Doctors diagnosed autism and issued a grim prognosis: ‘I hold out no hope for this child’. But they hadn’t accounted for Walker’s intelligence, affection, and sense of humour – or for the remarkable bonds that grew within his family. Walker’s father, Robert Hughes, tells a touching and inspiring story of discovering that their ‘perfect little boy had a problem’. With disarming honesty and humour, the book tells how a family copes and keeps hope alive despite the staggering difficulties autism presents.

Part memoir, part detective story, this is the powerful story of how two mothers from opposite sides of the world united in an effort to communicate with their severely autistic sons, discovering breakthroughs that challenged prevailing theories about autism.

Jacqui Jackson has seven children. Luke (author of Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome) has Asperger Syndrome, Joe has ADHD, and Ben has autism. Life is anything but straightforward, but the chaos of the Jacksons' lives is threaded through with humor and common sense. Full of anecdotes and lively thinking, the book explains vividly what it is like to parent oung people with such a range of conditions, and provides a wealth of helpful and creative advice for other parents and carers. Anyone who has wondered what life in such a family might be like will be fascinated.

Carol and Julia tell the story of a young man, from birth to college matriculation--how Julia, the mother, coped with his illness.

In 1979, the classic best-seller Son-Rise was made into an award-winning NBC television special, which has been viewed by 300 million people worldwide. Now, Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues presents an expanded and updated journal of Barry and Samahria Kaufman's successful effort to reach their once "unreachable" autistic child. Part one documents Raun Kaufman's astonishing development from a lifeless, autistic, retarded child into a highly verbal, lovable youngster with no traces of his former condition. Part two details Raun's extraordinary progress from the age of four into young adulthood. Part three shares moving accounts of five families that successfully used the Son-Rise Program to reach their own special children. An awe-inspiring reminder that love moves mountains. A must for any parent, teacher or student of personal growth.

Named a Best Book of the Year by Salon magazine and The Philadelphia Inquirer, A Slant of Sun was praised for its incandescent prose about the experience of loving a child who brings tremendous frustration and incalculable rewards and for its extraordinary resonance. Like Operating Instructions and The Liars' Club, A Slant of Sun is a contemporary classic. Nearly one in five children grow up facing a developmental or behavioral challenge, and like them, Beth Kephart's son, Jeremy, showed early signs of being different: language eluded him, he preferred playing alone to an afternoon on the jungle gym. Doctors diagnosed Jeremy with a mild form of autism called Pervasive Developmental DisorderNot Otherwise Specified. A Slant of Sun is a passionate memoir about how Kephart, guided by the twin tools of intuition and imagination, helped lead her son toward wholeness. Pulsing with the questions, 'Is normal possible? Definable?' A Slant of Sun speaks to everyone, not just parents, of the redemptive power of love.

Born with a superanalytical mind, Ben could store information like a minicomputer. Yet beneath his gift for facts lay a great fear of change and social aloofness. Ben had Asperger's Syndrome --a neurobiological disease similar to autism. Honest and beautifully written, Finding Ben is both a look at a mercurial disease and a powerful story of one mother's journey from frustration and resentment to love and acceptance.

Independence Bound is a can do story about how one mother overcame obstacles to letting go of her autistic son to live independently. The realistic guidelines, practical suggestions, and important references are excellent resources to prepare the family and the young adult for independent living.

In a work of extraordinary luminosity, Russell Martin takes on the science of language, probing this most profound and complex of human traits in a spellbinding narrative about his once-outgoing nephew, Ian Drummond, trapped at a young age within a mute cage of wordlessness.

She was a beautiful doelike child, with an intense, graceful fragility. In her first year, she picked up words, smiled and laughed, and learned to walk. But then Anne-Marie began to turn inward. And when her little girl lost some of the words she had acquired, cried inconsolably, and showed no interest in anyone around her, Catherine Maurice took her to doctors who gave her a devastating diagnosis: autism. In their desperate struggle to save their daughter, the Maurices plunged into a medical nightmare of false hopes, 'miracle cures,' and infuriating suggestions that Anne-Marie's autism was somehow their fault. Finally, Anne-Marie was saved by an intensive behavioral therapy. Let Me Hear Your Voice is a mother's illuminating account of how one family triumphed over autism. It is an absolutely unforgettable book, as beautifully written as it is informative. 'A vivid and uplifting story . . . Offers new strength to parents who refuse to give up on their autistic children.' -- Kirkus Reviews 'Outstanding . . . Heartfelt . . . A lifeline to families in similar circumstances.' -- Library Journal

In 1967, Sandra McPherson's daughter Phoebe was born with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. In The Spaces Between Birds, McPherson collects poems from six of her published books as well as new poems, uncollected poems, and poems written under a pseudonym, that draw on her experiences as a mother to Phoebe.

A little nine-year-old boy looks down at the gymnasium floor. The room is filled with children who like and respect him, but he can barely name anyone in his class, and has trouble with the simplest things - recognizing people, pretending, and knowing when people are happy or sad. And yet he was only one of seven fourth graders in the United States to ace the National Math Olympiad. In fifth grade he finished second in a national math talent search. That boy is autistic, loving, brilliant and resilient. In this book, his father writes about the joys, fears, frustration, exhilaration, and exhaustion involved in raising his son. And, oh, yes, math. Lots about math.

Written with love and expertise by the mother of an autistic teenager, 'The Speed of Dark' is a riveting exploration into the mind of an autistic man as he struggles with the question of whether he should risk a medical procedure that could make him 'normal.'

For the parents, families, and friends of the 1 in 250 autistic children born annually in the United States, George and Sam provides a unique look into the life of the autistic child. Charlotte Moore has three children, George, Sam, and Jake. George and Sam are autistic. George and Sam takes the reader from the births of each of the two boys, along the painstaking path to diagnosis, interventions, schooling and more. She writes powerfully about her family and her sons, and allows readers to see the boys behind the label of autism. Their often puzzling behavior, unusual food aversions, and the different ways that autism effects George and Sam lend deeper insight into this confounding disorder. George and Sam emerge from her narrative as distinct, wonderful, and at times frustrating children who both are autistic through and through. Moore does not feel the need to search for cause or cure, but simply to find the best ways to help her sons. She conveys to readers what autism is and isn’t, what therapies have worked and what hasn’t been effective, and paints a moving, memorable portrait life with her boys. Charlotte Moore is a writer and journalist who lives in Sussex, England with her three sons. She is the author of four novels and three children's book. For two years she wrote a highly acclaimed column in the Guardian called “Mind the Gap” about life with George and Sam. She is a contributor to many publications.

Maureen F. Morrell and Ann Palmer are raising two very different children: Justin, a whirlwind of activity and mood swings, who is supervised in a residential farm community, and Eric, quiet and passive, who lives independently at college. The authors give an account of the striking similarities as well as the stark differences in their experiences of parenting children at opposite extremes of the autism spectrum. The two mothers speak openly about their children's diagnosis and early childhood through to adolescence, young adulthood and the day they leave home. They give a moving account of the challenges they faced and the surprising consolations they found along their sons' very different paths in life. Through their friendship and two decades of shared experiences of parenting an ASD child, each has gained a clear understanding of her own strengths and limitations, as well as those of her child. Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum offers a personal perspective and practical guidance for parents at the start of their journey with autism, especially those whose children are newly diagnosed. It also provides useful insights for professionals working with individuals across the autism spectrum and their families. “With heavy dosages of courage and a fearless look into how autism has affected their lives, Ann and Maureen provide, in harmony and counterpoint, a model of how families can live with and help children with autism reach their potential to lead fulfilling and productive lives in what ultimately becomes a supportive environment for all." – Stephen Shore, author of Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome and Board member of the Autism Society of America

Starting and ending on the anniversary of her son Nicholas's diagnosis, Jennifer Overton uses key calendar events in the year to illustrate the roller coaster of emotions that accompany life with Nicholas. Written with sensitivity and lightness of touch, the book does not flinch from describing the grief involved in parenting an autistic child, yet the overall sense is one of joy in Nicholas's accomplishments. Entertaining and insightful, parents and professionals alike will reach for this empathic book, which includes a variety of easy to read vignettes ranging from reflection, description, poetry, and a quiz, to short play texts which bring alive the life of the participants.

Faced with her two-year-old toddler's precipitous bout with epilepsy and his puzzling behaviors, Valerie Paradiz took a bold and unusual path, coming to terms with and ultimately embracing the strange beauty of her son Elijah's special neurological disorder, which was diagnosed as Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. In Elijah's Cup, Paradiz tells the powerful story of her family's struggle with her son's disease, one characterized by social awkwardness, literal-mindedness, and a fixation with particular subjects and interests. Like attention deficit disorder (ADD), dyslexia, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, Asperger's has exploded in diagnosis in the last decade, reconfiguring the known incidence of autism in the population with estimates as high as one in fifty people. Ever since autism was 'discovered' by researchers in the 1940s, the disability has been under the strict purview of professionals in medicine, psychiatry, and education. Like the deaf community, autistics themselves have had little voice in expressing their real experience and needs. They were framed as too 'sick' to be conscious of their own internal lives, too 'mentally ill' to possess an identity. All this has changed.

Oliver Sacks called The Siege 'one of the finest personal accounts of autism and still the best - beautiful and intelligent.' Now, Exiting Nirvana details Clara Claiborne Park's continuing efforts to help her daughter Jessy connect with others and leave behind her often blissful yet isolated world, thus 'exiting Nirvana.' Forty and a successful artist, Jessy Park influences her family and friends in profound ways. Her work, art and routines have taken the place of her difficult childhood years. Hers is an honest and captivating story of perseverence and love.

Public awareness of this disability has greatly increased seince the movie Rain Man. This updated reisse will be welcomed by parents, educators, psychologists, and physicians.

Expecting Teryk is an intimate exploration, written in the form of a letter from a parent to her future son, that reclaims a rite of passage that modern society would strip of its magic. Dawn Prince-Hughes, renowed author of Songs of a Gorilla Nation: My Journey Through Autism, considers the ways her disabilities might inform her parenting. She candidly narrates her experience of becoming a parent as part of a lesbian couple-from meeting her partner and the questions they ask about their readiness to become parents, to the practical considerations of choosing a sperm donor. Expecting Teryk is expressed through the lens of autism as Prince-Hughes shares the unique way she sees and experiences.

Gabriel is a teenager who is severely autistic: he is completely unsocialized, is incontinent and is unable to speak. In this book his mother, with great honesty, describes what it is like to bring up an autistic child who requires constant care and exhibits challenging behaviour. Written partly in diary form, Growing Up Severely Autistic covers the minutiae of daily life with vivid immediacy, from preventing Gabriel eating the goldfish, to helping him through his grief on the death of his father. Gabriel's life and relationships with his family are traced from early childhood, through his school-days to his entry into residential care at the age of 17. With affection and humour, Kate Rankin has written a personal and intimate study of someone who is very different from those around him, and who cannot himself articulate his experiences.

Asia Renning was adopted by Jerry and Adair Renning when she was two years old, even though she was considered too institutionalized to be able to bond with a family. Asia's struggles with a condition which required a colostomy, as well as autism, has led her family on a quest to help her maximize her potential. In this book, Adair Renning details the family's search for effective treatments, including mega-vitamins, auditory integration therapy, food and environmental allergy treatments and treatment for Leaky Gut Syndrome. This is one family's story, but it represents a celebration of the strength of the human spirit, when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.

When you look into the eyes of your child, what do you see? You are waiting in the doctor's office, hoping frantically that your name will be called. You look down at your child, realizing at any moment his rage will explode into a full-blown tantrum. What do you do? Drawn from her own personal experience, author Courtney Riegel delves into the challenging world of autism in Through a Mother's Eyes: A Spiral Down the Autism Spectrum. Join Riegel and her 15-month-old son as they begin a difficult journey filled with heartache, frustration, and an unfading hope as they face the challenging world of autism head-on. Courtney Riegel reminds readers that they are not alone, and offers personal experience and helpful diet and detox tips that will lead autistic children down a road of improvement and encouragement. Through a Mother's Eyes: A Spiral Down the Autism Spectrum provides a message of hope, as well as a wellspring of knowledge for those who feel all hope is lost.

A true family account of a family that survived and came out stronger and more positive about life. It tells of the diagnosis, trials and tribulations, of family love and strength, of decisions on education and respite care and of heartache and laughter.

A woman's story of how faith helped her through the loss of her father-in-law, a close friend, two of her friends' children, her first son being diagnosed with autism and then having her second child die in her arms. This moving autobiography will tear at your heart strings, give you hope and reassure you that you're not alone, no matter how painful the circumstance.

That's Life with Autism is full of advice and inspiration, written by parents for other parents and professionals caring for children on the autism spectrum. The overall message of this book is that people affected by autism are not alone. Each chapter addresses a specific topic, and range from the effect of autism in the family on couple or sibling relationships and intervention options to educational issues, diet, and the role of friends and relatives. Points for reflection prompt the reader to discuss and think further about the issues covered. The contributors also provide starting points for the development of positive strategies, including networks of support in which parents can learn from and find support from others in similar situations. The practical and positive book will be of interest to parents of autistic children and to anyone working with children on the autism spectrum, from professionals to school administrators.

In this engaging and valuable memoir, Susan Senator describes her own journey raising a child with severe autism, along with two other typically developing boys. Unlike other books that focus on the search for miracle cures, Senator show us how she has been able to love and accept her autistic son as he is -- and how she and her family have been able to find courage, contentment, and connection in the shadow of autism. Throughout this engaging narrative, Senator distills valuable insights and advice from her own experience, focusing on key topics such as: grieving and acceptance, finding the right school program, helping siblings with their struggles and concerns, having fun as a family, and keeping the marriage strong.

Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder is an inspiring and suspenseful chronicle of how one couple empowered themselves to challenge the medical establishment that promised no hope -- and found a cure for their child. Here are the explanations and treatments they so carefully researched and discovered, a wealth of crucial tools and hands-on information that can help other parents reverse the effects of autism and PDD, including step-by-step instructions for the removal of dairy and gluten from the diet, special recipes, and an explanation of the roles of the key players in autism research.

Parenting a child with a disability can be isolating and devastating. We want so much to do everything for our children, but what do you do when nothing works? Worse, what do you do when your child is diagnosed with a permanent, incurable disability? In An Unexpected Joy, author Mary Sharp, a family doctor and the mother of three, candidly shares her defeats and her victories in handling her son's battle with autism. After shock, denial, despair, and bitterness, Mary has found room in her heart for laughter and grief to coexist. Even more, she has come to see her son Nic as a gift in her family's life.

At eighteen months old, Jodi Shaw suddenly changed from being a happy, lively, loving baby into the toddler from hell: withdrawn, refusing to talk, play or be touched, unable to concentrate or be still. Written by his mother but told from Jodi's own perspective, this is a fascinating, funny, and insightful account of growing up with autism. The difficulties faced by Jodi, now 13, and his family are not underplayed, but are recounted with empathy and humor - obtaining a diagnosis, seeking support, and above all, learning to live with autism twenty-four hours a day.

Any parent who has suspected something was off with their baby will empathize with the first chapters of The Boy Who Loved Windows, which recounts the familiar tale of medical practitioners refusing to run tests or offer diagnoses. You'll empathize even more when it turns out that mom (and author) Patricia Stacey was right: young Walker is autistic. It's partially the empathy that makes this such a compelling read. Some chapters are devoted to Walker's life at home; others mix his development with medical details. The facts are wrenching: an estimated 1 in 500 people has some level of autism, causes are unclear, and the expectation for a cure is microscopic. But midway through the book, the family meets up with Dr. Stanley Greenspan (The Child With Special Needs), who introduces new techniques that spread rapidly to Walker's assorted therapists. Progress begins, if at a glacial pace. Stacey lets readers into her emotional process over the years she details; her anger, frustration, and concern over the rest of her family and her wild joy at some seemingly minor events provide a roller coaster in contrast to the more methodical research explanation. As a complement to more direct parenting books on autism or simply as a fascinating look at the early development of an atypical child, this book makes good on the promise of its intriguing title. -- Amazon.com

Intended for the professionals who work with autistic people and their families and friends, Learning to Live with High Functioning Autism draws on the Stanton family's experiences, and compares it with the experiences of others, to offer an honest portrayal of what living with autism is actually like for all of those involved. It offers an insight into the world of autistic children and the problems that they and their families face. It will provide support and encouragement for families of children with autism, as well as being an invaluable source of information and advice for professionals working with autistic children and their families. Most important of all, it argues convincingly that learning to live with autism is a two-way process. We have to reject all models of intervention based upon coercion and compliance in order to work in partnership with young people with autism.

Stehli relates the details of living and coping with her unresponsive, autistic child. Doctors and psychiatrists led her to believe that she was an inadequate mother and wanted her to institutionalize her daughter, Georgie, but she insisted on keeping the child at home, sending her out only for schooling. When Georgie began auditory training in Switzerland, she became a different person as her hearing changed. High school students interested in working with exceptional children or planning medical careers would be most interested in this book. Written in a lively, readable style, with much emphasis on Stehli's conflicting emotions, it would also be good for those interested in psychology. -- School Library Journal

Summers takes a unique, and, to some, controversial, approach to teaching and parenting her daughter with autism by applying Chaos Theory in combination with more traditional behavior management strategies. The results have been extraordinary. Jessica, initially pronounced as limited to a self-contained classroom wearing a helmet to prevent self-abusive behaviors, is now an accomplished student in high school, composing music, writing stories, and speaking at conferences about life with autism.

Smiling at Shadows is an insightful and honest account of the often difficult path to adulthood that a child living with autism must face. It is also the story of two parents who learned how to step into their child’s world and draw him out into their own. An engaging story, this book is also a valuable resource for therapists, educators, and medical practitioners. More importantly, for parents and family members, it portrays the heartache and joy that families living with autism experience. The book shows families how to maintain hope and how to share in their child’s life and happiness.

Hurricane Dancing is a collection of poems and photographs that tell of the heartbreaks, challenges and joys of raising an autistic child. The intense relationship portrayed here between an autistic daughter and her parents shows that a child can experience love and acceptance regardless of how severe her autism is. Offering hope and encouragement while challenging our own perceptions of autism, these poetic reflections from a mother's perspective together with evocative and sensitive visual insights provided by the photographs convey a message of inspiration and hope.

Liane Holliday Willey and one of her daughters both have Asperger Syndrome. In * Asperger Syndrome in the Familyshe looks, with honesty, wisdom and humor, at the implications this has for her family, both the Aspie and the non-Aspie members. Through personal vignettes, frank discussions and practical suggestions for dealing with everything from major to minor Aspie challenges, Liane, her husband and their three daughters bravely open their home to their readers, inviting them to look behind the curtains at their version of Aspie life. Not only does the book underscore the importance of mutual support and respect in an Aspie family - in fact in any family - it offers practical help for families in similar situations. This is a rich and positive book that will speak to all those whose lives have been affected by Asperger Syndrome.