Our reviews of the best books and
videos on autism,
Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Asperger's Disorder. To suggest a book,
email us.
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Could It Be Autism?: A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps
by Nancy Wiseman
tells you how to find out if your child is developmentally delayed as early as
four months of age. The book provides checklists, discusses screening tests, and, if
your child has
autism, tells you how to design an effective treatment program to help
him reach
his potential. It says taking action is better than waiting to see if
autism develops.
Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope That Can Transform
a Child's Life by
Lynn Koegel Ph.D. (who was featured on The Supernanny) and Claire LaZebnik. Teaches how to use behavior modification,
from both a clinician's and a parent's perspective. Koegel uses a form of
behavior treatment called Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT). PRT targets certain
pivotal skills, such as motivation, that affect development in
many other areas.
Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew. Ellen Notbohm,
parent and autism columnist, expands on her popular article that
swept email groups several years ago. This book seeks to empower
parents, encourage them to trust their instincts, and find
balance in their lives. Uplifting book, with lots of practical
advice from a parent who's "been there."
Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism or Other Developmental Issues by Maria Wheeler. Children
with autism and PDD can be especially hard to toilet train. This popular guide has
many
tips and examples of how to teach children, through repetition, rewards,
picture schedules and reducing sensory problems.
Facing Autism: Giving Parents Reason for Hope and Guidance for Help
by Lynn M. Hamilton. Hamilton, whose son essentially recovered from
autism, summarizes information on Applied Behavior Analysis, special
diets, vitamins and biomedical treatments. A great first book for
parents of young children who don't know where to start. Good index of
resources.
The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet.
A popular book by two Defeat Autism Now practitioners,
developmental pediatrician Pamela Compart M.D. and nutritionist Dana
Laake. Advice for feeding picky eaters, and a good
explanation of how and why the diet can work. Recipes include information on calories, protein, fiber, etc.,
per serving. Updated and revised
for 2009, with 100 new recipes and advice for packing school
lunches.
Special Diets for
Special Kids Two by Lisa Lewis Ph.D. A sequel to her first book (above) with more than
175 new gluten-free, casein-free recipes for peanut butter bread, bananaberry shake, oven
fries, barbequed chicken pie and other foods that kids will eat.
Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders
by Kenneth Bock M.D. and Cameron Stauth. They say that a child's genetics "load the gun,
and environment pulls the trigger." Environmental assaults on the developing
immune system may include heavy metals, viruses, vaccines and poor nutrition.
Dr. Bock uses a detective approach in presenting case studies. Broader in scope
than Children with Starving Brains, with a focus on allergies and other
conditions.
Enzymes for
Autism and other Neurological Conditions. Author/parent Karen L. DeFelice
discusses the role of enzymes in helping people with autism digest foods that create
problems for them. Many parents use enzymes in addition to a gluten-free, milk-free diet,
while some use them instead of the diet.
Children with Starving Brains: A Medical Treatment Guide for Autism Spectrum Disorder
by Jacquelyn McCandless M.D. Outlines treatments based on the theory that autism
is a biomedical illness resulting in brain malnutrition. Genetics, in combination with
exposure to pesticides and heavy metals in vaccines, can lead to immune system problems,
gut dysfunction, and yeast and viral infections, says Dr. McCandless,
whose granddaughter has autism. 2009 edition
Changing the Course of Autism: A Scientific Approach for Parents and Physicians
by Bryan Jepson M.D. with Jane Johnson. Foreward by Katie Wright, whose parents
founded Autism Speaks. Discusses immune system and detoxification problems in
autism, brain inflammation, the effect of mercury, and autism as an
environmental illness. Dr. Jepson is medical director of Thoughtful House,
an autism research and treatment center in Texas. "Changing the Course of
Autism was written with physicians in mind. It contains over 50 pages of
references to published scientific studies supporting the information and
treatment options provided by Dr. Jepson," said Unlocking Autism, which asked
parents to buy the book for their pediatricians.
Healing and Preventing Autism: A Complete Guide.
Comedienne Jenny McCarthy, whose son recovered from autism, interviews Jerry
Kartzinel M.D. about Defeat Autism Now biomedical treatments. Dr. Kartzinel
simplifies biomed theories and discusses steps parents can take while
waiting to see a DAN doctor. He provides dosages for supplements, explains
yeast overgrowth and diets, and outlines lab tests. Aimed at parents new to
biomed. People seeking more details may prefer the Bock and McCandless books
(above).
Parent
Survival Manual: A Guide to Crisis Resolution in Autism and Related Developmental
Disorders, edited by Eric Schopler, Ph.D., founder, Division TEACCH at University of
North Carolina. The TEACCH method is used in many schools. Based on interviews with
parents and behavioral experts, this book provides solutions to common problems
involving aggression, communication, hygiene, social skills, eating, and sleep.
Pervasive Developmental
Disorder: An Altered Perspective by Barbara Quinn and Anthony Malone. "Written
principally for parents, this is a book which explains what it means for your child to be
diagnosed with PDD-NOS, autism or Asperger Syndrome, and where you go from there. The
authors describe the symptoms of PDD, what a diagnosis means, how a child fits into the
diagnostic terminology and the diagnostic procedures involved."
Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin. Dr. Grandin, an animal
scientist who has autism, offers fascinating
insights into how she thinks and sees the world: "Language and words
are alien ways of thinking for me. All my thoughts are like playing different tapes in the
videocassette recorder in my imagination."
Emergence: Labeled Autistic
tells the story of her transformation from an anxious,
isolated child to a successful professional.
Let Me Hear Your Voice:
A Family's Triumph Over Autism by Catherine Maurice. Maurice writes a personal and
emotional account about discovering that two of her children had autism and how both
children recovered through ABA therapy. Though the experience of recovery is not
universal, her book is a powerful testimony to the benefits of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Behavioral
Intervention for Young Children With Autism: A Manual for Parents and Professionals,
edited by Catherine Maurice, Gina Green and Stephen C. Luce. An excellent how-to manual
for families starting a home teaching program using Applied Behavior Analysis.
Includes a chapter on how to pay for ABA, which can be costly, and samples of data
collection sheets and programs.
Right from the Start: Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with
Autism
by Sandra L. Harris and Mary Jane Weiss, ABA experts at Rutgers. A guide
to Applied Behavioral Analysis methods and how they can be used to teach
speech, language, social skills and self-help skills through repetition and
rewards. Harris and Weiss help parents evaluate school programs, home ABA
and center-based ABA.
Educate Toward Recovery: Turning the Tables on Autism
by Robert Schramm, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. A teaching manual for parents who are new to
the concepts and language of Verbal Behavior therapy. He includes information on
children who don't respond to conventional ABA methods, and on
how VB can be used along with the Relationship Development
Intervention method.
Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide.
A must-read for every parent trying to get the best program possible
from the school system. Lawyer Peter Wright and psychotherapist Pamela
Wright explain special education law, how to interpret and and use test
scores, how to write letters to school officials, and how to be an
effective advocate. Easy to understand. Includes sample letters for you
to use.
Educating Children with Autism
by the National Research Council. An excellent resource for parents seeking
research to support their educational requests. It examines the research and
claims behind the major teaching methods; identifies the
characteristics of effective preschool and school programs; and discusses ways to better prepare
teachers and parents.
Videos by Bee Smart Baby Vocabulary Builder 1
introduce words through simple scenes that show different types of the object being
taught. Good for children with speech delays, PDD or autism.
You're Going to Love This Kid: Teaching Students With Autism in the Inclusive
Classroom by inclusion expert Paula Kluth Ph.D. A guide to
understanding students with autism and teaching them effectively in a "regular" classroom.
Ideas for improving reading, handling behavior and promoting friendships with
non-disabled children. A great gift for your child's teachers. Kluth's newest book, Just Give Him The Whale!,
shows how to use a student's special interests to teach academics, social skills and
communication.
Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew
by popular author Ellen Notbohm.
"Chapter
One, 'Learning is Circular,' all the way through chapter ten,
'Teach Me How to Fish,' fills those of us who love someone with
autism with hope and encouragement. We can do this," says Nancy
Cale of Unlocking Autism.
Model Me Kids: Videos For Modeling Social Skills for children and teens with
autism and Asperger's. New:Model Me Confidence
DVD teaches self-esteem; topics include peer pressure, self-advocacy,
choosing friends and group discussion. Time For School features a child narrator and elementary
school children modeling conversation and behavior at school. Topics include
saying hello, listening to the teacher, showing interest in others and playground
behavior. Time for a Playdate shows how to greet your guest, talk about a topic and more. A second-grader
loved this DVD.
The Autism
Social Skills Picture Book by Jed Baker Ph.D. Aimed at elementary and
middle schoolers, it teaches skills such as how to maintain and end a conversation,
how to greet someone, how to interrupt someone, how to accept "no" for an
answer, and what to do when feeling frustrated by an assignment. Kids will like the photos
showing the right and wrong ways of handling common social situations.
Autism/Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle by Dr. Steven E.
Gutstein. Psychologist Gutstein sought to discover why children with
autism lack the social skills that come so easily to others. The result
is his Relationship Development Intervention program for teaching social
skills.
The New Social Stories: Illustrated Edition by Carol Gray. Gray
helps parents and teachers write stories that help children with autism,
PDD and Asperger's to better understand how to act in different social
situations. Includes stories to help children learn to give a gift, use
the phone, eat new foods, play quietly, ride the bus and eat in
restaurants. You can adapt them to meet your child's needs.
Join In and
Play and other children's books by Cheri J. Meiners are for
kids who need help with social skills. They explain what children should do and
say in common social situations. Other books in this series include
Listen and
Learn,
Understand
and Care and
Be Polite and
Kind. Siblings will enjoy, too.
The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder by
Carol Kranowitz. Does your child spin, fear swings or refuse to eat certain textures of
food? This popular book explains sensory integration dysfunction in children who may or
may not have another diagnosis. Includes suggestions for sensory experiences you can
provide at home to help your child learn to regulate his senses.
The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder by Carol Kranowitz.
A companion to her first book, this edition includes many ideas for parents who
want fun and educational activities for a child with sensory problems. Siblings
may enjoy these activities, too. Includes "recipes" for fun activities (such as
Shaving Cream Car Wash or Paper Bag Kick Ball) for various ages and sensory
systems.
The Friendship Puzzle: Helping Kids Learn About Accepting and Including Kids with Autism
by Julie L. Coe and inspired by Jennifer Maloni, a parent of two boys
with autism. This book shows
kids, parents and teachers how to have and promote
friendships with children on the autism spectrum. A good gift for
grade school teachers and coaches. Ages 4 to 8.
The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone With Autism by
Ellen Sabin. An interactive and character-building book about the
challenges of autism. It focuses on respecting everybody's differences
and treating others the way you would want to be treated. For ages 9 to 12.
Autism
Through a Sister's Eyes: A Young Girl's View of Her Brother's Autism by Eve Band Ph.D.
and Emily Hecht. Dr. Band, a psychologist, writes this book in the voice of Emily, a real
fifth-grader who explores her questions about autism and her feelings about her brother
with high-functioning autism.