Parents of a child who has recently been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder often immediately start looking through the bookstore or library for valuable resources. A trip to the special needs section of a bookstore finds parents faced with hundreds of books on autism. This guide will help parents of a newly diagnosed child navigate the plethora of book offerings.
Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People with Autism, and Professionals Share Their Wisdom
Voices from the Spectrum, released in 2006, comes from the Jessica Kingsley Publishers company (JKP). JKP is known for publishing a wide range of excellent products on the topic of autism. This book is no exception. One thing that sets Voices from the Spectrum apart from many other books on the topic is that it includes the voices of autistic individuals.
Autistic children grow up to be autistic adults. Hearing first-hand stories can help in reassuring parents that hope is not lost with regards to their child. The essays in the book discuss both the negative and positive aspects of an autism diagnosis. Autism does not always need to be looked at as a puzzle that should be solved, it is okay to accept the differences in your child; this book helps you achieve that acceptance. Voices from the Spectrum was written by Cindy N. Ariel and Robert A. Naseef.
Engaging Autism
Written by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, Engaging Autism [Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2006] belongs on the bookshelf of every parent of an autistic child. Engaging Autism gives parents a new way to look at the challenges faced by children on the autism spectrum. Dr. Greenspan, a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at George Washington University, introduces parents to Floortime. Floortime utilizes the DIR approach to helping autistic children reach important emotional and developmental milestones. DIR (Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based) is a child-centered and child-friendly approach to helping autistic children grow, developmentally, as opposed to a traditional symptoms-based approach. Parents will be invigorated after reading Engaging Autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Development Disorder, and Other ASDs
This book, authored by Chantal Sicile-Kira and Dr. Temple Grandin, provides a comprehensive look at all things autism. Sicile-Kira shares the knowledge she has gained as a mother of an autistic child and Dr. Grandin provides invaluable insight as an autistic adult. Autism Spectrum Disorders [Perigee Trade, 2004] takes readers on a journey from the very basic information regarding autism spectrum disorders to more specific information on interventions, treatments, and the many approaches to helping autistic children grow.
These three books are must-reads for any parent of a child newly diagnosed with autism. The period following the diagnosis can be one of stress and even despair. After reading these books, parents will be armed with new-found hope and a sense of direction.
For more information on autism read Exploring the Autism Spectrum and Calm an Autistic Child’s Tantrum.
Sources:
Amazon.com
Dr. Stanley Greenspan’s Website
The Floortime Foundation
