Autism Parent Handbook

Raun Melmed, Wendela Whitcomb Marsh

• Publisher: Future Horizons
• Year: 2021
• eBook ISBN: 9781949177756
• Edition: 0
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Index: Psychology

Once a diagnosis of autism is made, a myriad of questions arises. Why is this happening? What can I do? How will I cope? What will the future bring? Will I ever smile again?

A roadmap is needed, a handbook to refer to when all seems overwhelming. The priorities are to begin the healing process and to start treatment. The way to ensure success is to begin with the end goals in mind. It is remarkable how things fall into place once a vision of the future is formulated – a productive, upstanding, and most important, happy adult!

The Autism Parent Handbook walks parents through the steps of early intervention by demonstrating ways to achieve the most optimal outcomes. We address the following:

Happy adults have a positive outlook, feel valued when their passions are honored and when interest is shown in the things they love. We can help children foster those attitudes in early childhood. Productive adults regulate their emotions, manage their time, cope with change, make wise choices and accept responsibility for their actions. We illustrate how to develop these skills from the outset. Adults perform skills independently and complete tasks necessary for work and home life. Children should be expected to do the same and we outline ways how to do that.

Wherever a parent is on their parenting journey, and whatever age the child is, now is the time to look forward and plant seeds for the future, beginning with the end in mind. Our shared goal is to honor the glory that is in all of us, and to enhance each child's journey towards their fullest potential. If you are now confused and overwhelmed, you need a compassionate and optimistic guide for the early years and beyond. Where to start? Right here.

Table of contents

• FOREWORD — Temple Grandin, Author of The Way I See It
• PREFACE: Begin with the End in Mind (What of the Future?)
• PART I: First Steps - They Say It’s Autism …What Does That Mean?
• Chapter 1: Hearing the News
• Chapter 2: Responding to the News
• Chapter 3: Looking Forward (Oh, for a crystal ball.)
• PART II: Home Base - Create an Environment that Works for Everyone
• Chapter 4: Home, Safe Home
• Chapter 5: Home, Sweet School
• Chapter 6: Home, Sweet Home
• PART III: Healthy Habits Start at Home - The Right Path from Day One
• Chapter 7: Nutrition Needs
• Chapter 8: Exercise Needs
• Chapter 9: Sleep Needs
• Chapter 10: Stimulation Needs
• Chapter 11: The Well-Child Checkup
• PART IV: Learn to Love the Parade - Get the Most out of Your Team
• Chapter 12: Who Are All These People?
• Chapter 13: What Should My Child Be Learning?
• Chapter 14: What Shouldn’t My Child Be Learning?
• PART V: Out and About - Venturing Forth into the Community
• Chapter 15: The Unwritten Rules of the Park and Playground
• Chapter 16: How to Go to the Grocery Store without Going Crazy
• Chapter 17: Navigating Barber Shops, Dentists’ Offices, and the Rest of the World
• Chapter 18: Safety First … But What if They Get Lost Anyway? Prepare First Responders to Find Your Child
• PART VI: Emotional Roller Coaster - When There is No Emoji to Express How They Feel
• Chapter 19: Negative Feelings: Anxiety, Anger, Sadness
• Chapter 20: Positive Feelings: Joy, Delight, Ecstasy
• Chapter 21: Strategies for Dealing with Overstimulation
• PART VII: School Days - Navigating the IEP Process
• Chapter 22: What is an IEP, Anyway?
• Chapter 23: Transition: Vocational
• PART VIII: Transitions - Look the Future in the Eye Without Blinking
• Chapter 24: Pre-Adolescence and the Dreaded Teen Years
• Chapter 25: Transition Planning: Educational
• Chapter 26: Transition Planning: Financial
• Chapter 27: Transition: Recreation
• PART IX - Parents & Children in the Time of COVID
• POSTSCRIPT: Congratulations! You are on the Right Track & Moving Forward
• RESOURCES
• ABOUT THE AUTHORS