A Beginner's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders - 9781849052337

Taylor, a consultant pediatrician at a general hospital in New Zealand, presents plain-language explanations of the symptoms, characteristics, diagnosis, and possible causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in this guide for parents, caregivers, medical professionals, and teachers. Interspersed among the facts and advice are brief interludes written in the voices of composite characters with ASD, offering insight on how people with ASD see the world. The book includes tips for professionals on working with parents, as well as tips for parents on working with professionals. It outlines day-to-day strategies for home and school and for teaching life and social skills, communicating with the ASD person, lowering stress, and avoiding power struggles. The book closes with descriptions of specific intervention programs that may help as well as those that have been not been proven to work. There is no subject index. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)