Intrigued by a book on Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Harried Parent's Book Club? Read more about it through excerpts from the books below. For excerpts on other topics, go to the full index.
1. Book: Act Early Against Autism
Cover image courtesy of Jayne Lytel
Author: Jayne Lytel
Excerpt Title: "Floortime Versus Applied Verbal Behavior"
Quote: "As I became secure in understanding both approaches, I could more clearly see their benefits. But I relied more on AVB since it was hard to have a back-and-forth interaction with Leo; he didn't stick with one activity for very long, and his ability to reason and express himself verbally was poor. Nonetheless, I tried to incorporate elements from Floortime when I played with him." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Floortime Versus Applied Verbal Behavior"
Quote: "As I became secure in understanding both approaches, I could more clearly see their benefits. But I relied more on AVB since it was hard to have a back-and-forth interaction with Leo; he didn't stick with one activity for very long, and his ability to reason and express himself verbally was poor. Nonetheless, I tried to incorporate elements from Floortime when I played with him." ... Go to full excerpt
2. Book: Asperger Syndrome and Bullying
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Author: Nick Dubin
Excerpt Title: "To Tell or Not to Tell"
Quote: "Children have a right to know that their differences actually have a name. The name does not define their entire being but it does serve to provide some additional information for self-knowledge. While many children resist being diagnosed and may not even want to talk about it, these same children could continue to suffer from confusion and depression simply because they don't understand that their differences come from a group of traits that they were born with." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "To Tell or Not to Tell"
Quote: "Children have a right to know that their differences actually have a name. The name does not define their entire being but it does serve to provide some additional information for self-knowledge. While many children resist being diagnosed and may not even want to talk about it, these same children could continue to suffer from confusion and depression simply because they don't understand that their differences come from a group of traits that they were born with." ... Go to full excerpt
3. Book: Autism: Asserting Your Child's Right to a Special Education
Photo courtesy of David A. Sherman
Author: David A. Sherman
Excerpt Title: "Take Periodic Videos of Your Child"
Quote: "In one case, a parent showed us a video of her child playing and making eye contact. After several months in the school's program, she took another video that showed that the child was no longer making eye contact or initiating contact with other children. The video was good evidence that the school's program was not appropriate." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Take Periodic Videos of Your Child"
Quote: "In one case, a parent showed us a video of her child playing and making eye contact. After several months in the school's program, she took another video that showed that the child was no longer making eye contact or initiating contact with other children. The video was good evidence that the school's program was not appropriate." ... Go to full excerpt
4. Book: Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Author: Luke Jackson
Excerpt Title: "Eye Contact"
Quote: "Sometimes it is too hard to concentrate on listening and looking at the same time. People are hard enough to understand as their words are often so very cryptic, but when their faces are moving around, their eyebrows rising and falling and their eyes getting wider then squinting, I cannot fathom all that out in one go, so to be honest I don't even try." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Eye Contact"
Quote: "Sometimes it is too hard to concentrate on listening and looking at the same time. People are hard enough to understand as their words are often so very cryptic, but when their faces are moving around, their eyebrows rising and falling and their eyes getting wider then squinting, I cannot fathom all that out in one go, so to be honest I don't even try." ... Go to full excerpt
5. Book: Kids in the Syndrome Mix
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Author: Martin L. Kutscher, M.D.
Excerpt Title: "Keep It Calm"
Quote: "Head off big fights before they begin. When things start going badly, redirect to a positive direction rather than criticizing the misbehavior. For example, if the child is arguing with a peer, then suggest a new activity such as having a snack, rather than handing out a punishment." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Keep It Calm"
Quote: "Head off big fights before they begin. When things start going badly, redirect to a positive direction rather than criticizing the misbehavior. For example, if the child is arguing with a peer, then suggest a new activity such as having a snack, rather than handing out a punishment." ... Go to full excerpt
6. Book: Some Kind of Genius
Cover image courtesy of FSB Associates
Authors: Janice DeBlois and Antonia Felix
Excerpt Title: "The Mystery of Savant Syndrome"
Quote: "The neurology of the savant, like that of the autistic person, includes more limited access to the emotional centers of the brain. Parents of savants express their love and give reinforcement often without the benefit of the typical feedback that a child gives in response to affection. Praise and encouragement increase the savant's self-esteem and add joy to his or her life." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "The Mystery of Savant Syndrome"
Quote: "The neurology of the savant, like that of the autistic person, includes more limited access to the emotional centers of the brain. Parents of savants express their love and give reinforcement often without the benefit of the typical feedback that a child gives in response to affection. Praise and encouragement increase the savant's self-esteem and add joy to his or her life." ... Go to full excerpt
7. Book: Teach Me How to Say It Right
Cover image courtesy of Dorothy P. Dougherty
Author: Dorothy P. Dougherty
Excerpt Title: "Take a Look at Your Child's Learning Environment"
Quote: "As your child begins to communicate with you, focus on the words and objects that are central to her life, or on which she is focusing at the moment. For example, if she is pointing at a squirrel running up the tree, don't start talking about the dog across the street. Talk about the squirrel. For example, say, 'See the squirrel? He has a bushy tail.'" ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Take a Look at Your Child's Learning Environment"
Quote: "As your child begins to communicate with you, focus on the words and objects that are central to her life, or on which she is focusing at the moment. For example, if she is pointing at a squirrel running up the tree, don't start talking about the dog across the street. Talk about the squirrel. For example, say, 'See the squirrel? He has a bushy tail.'" ... Go to full excerpt
8. Book: Supportive Parenting
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Author: Jan Starr Campito
Excerpt Title: "Understanding Your Child's Diagnosis"
Quote: "Can you describe the defining characteristics of the diagnosis, in terms that are accurate and that other people can easily understand? Do you understand how your child's disability is similar to and different from other related or easily confused conditions? Can you apply the diagnosis to your own child, seeing which characteristics are currently present and to what extent?" ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Understanding Your Child's Diagnosis"
Quote: "Can you describe the defining characteristics of the diagnosis, in terms that are accurate and that other people can easily understand? Do you understand how your child's disability is similar to and different from other related or easily confused conditions? Can you apply the diagnosis to your own child, seeing which characteristics are currently present and to what extent?" ... Go to full excerpt
