Living with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Guidance for Parents, Carers and Siblings

Elizabeth Attfield, Hugh Morgan

?The layout and presentation of the material are very "user friendly" and the book is, therefore, easy to read. Those with less direct experience of living or working with children who are autistic, including teachers and learning support assistants, who require some help in appreciating the complex range of behaviours and responses such children present, will find this little book illuminating? - Support for Learning

"This is a really practical tool........ the structure of the book is clear and uncomplicated for the reader to access. This book is based on a wealth of experience of working closely both with individuals with Autism and their families. It will be a revelation to professionals interested in this area and a comfort to carers who live the experience. Most importantly, it reminds us of the barriers to positive parent/professional partnership and challenges us to build supportive bridges to effective intervention for the individual with Autism. Autism NI (PAPA) was created out of such a dynamic approach and therefore welcomes this significant commentary on this critical issue."

By giving a concise account of what life may be like following the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) in the family, this book examines service provision at different stages, and provides information for parents, carers and practitioners? - Arlene Cassidy, Chief Executive, Autism NI

Parents want support and advice during and after a diagnosis of ASDs, and professionals want to be able to give the right answers. This book will meet the needs of both.

Issues dealt with include:

" how to help the family

" how to help brothers and sisters

" preparing children with ASDs for the world outside

" keeping expectations high

" how to work together with schools and other agencies

" finding community links

?In my view it would be a good read for relatives, friends and teachers in training to enable them to understand many of the issues associated with children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It points up the various facets of having and living with a child with autism - as far as possible from a positive point of view. The authors, from their obvious extensive experience, have identified many problems and circumstances that parents/carers are likely to meet and that can be tackled in a wide variety of ways. The book is designed to raise these for consideration - and this it does well? - Support for Learning, Volume 22, Number 2

Table of contents

• Cover
• Contents
• About the authors
• Acknowledgements
• How to use this book
• Chapter 1 - Understanding the parental emotional rollercoaster
• Chapter 2 - Brothers and sisters and wider family issues
• Chapter 3 - Autism: some key facts
• Chapter 4 - Getting your child's educational needs met
• Chapter 5 - Choosing a school
• Chapter 6 - Positive strategies for daily living
• Chapter 7 - Growing up and facing the future
• Chapter 8 - Working together effectively - families and professionals
• Chapter 9 - Keeping it all in perspective
• Chapter 10 - Finding information, help and support
• References
• Glossary
• Index