A Practical Guide to Autism: What Every Parent, Family Member, and Teacher Needs to Know »

Fred R. Volkmar, MD, is the Director of the Yale Child Study Center and coauthor of the Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Third Edition, published by Wiley.

LISA A. WIESNER, MD, is a pediatrician in private practice in Orange, Connecticut.? She is an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Yale who has research experience with autism.

Authoritative answers to everyday questions about living and learning with autism

Filled with useful advice for parents and caregivers of children exhibiting autistic characteristics, A Practical Guide to Autism provides easy-to-access, reliable information regarding the selection of doctors, schools, services, and insurance, as well as day-to-day living in the family, school, and community.

Thorough and insightful, it presents lists of resources, both in print and on the Web—compiled by experts and reviewed by parents—for professionals and parents.

Written by Fred Volkmar, a leading authority on autism in the United States, and Lisa Wiesner, an experienced pediatrician with a special focus on pediatric autism, this timely guide provides reliable, accessible information and presents:

• Detailed background on autism and related Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), including Asperger syndrome

• Sound approaches to screening for conditions like autism

• Helpful summaries such as "The 10 Most Preventable Health Problems" and "Five Questions to Ask Your Doctor at Every Visit"

• Practical information on complementary and alternative treatments

• Advice on evaluating school programs and services for children with autism

• Unique coverage of medical and dental care of children with autism

FOREWORD.

PREFACE.

CHAPTER 1 What is Autism?

CHAPTER 2 What Causes Autism?

CHAPTER 3 Getting a Diagnosis.

CHAPTER 4 Getting Services.

CHAPTER 5 An Overview of Educational Programs.

CHAPTER 6 Educational Interventions.

CHAPTER 7 Working with Young Children.

CHAPTER 8 Working with School-Aged Children.

CHAPTER 9 Adolescents Adults and the Future.

CHAPTER 10 Managing Medical Issues and Problems.

CHAPTER 11 Ensuring Safety.

CHAPTER 12 Dealing with Seizures.

CHAPTER 13 Dealing with Regression.

CHAPTER 14 Dealing with Behavior Problems.

CHAPTER 15 Considering Medications for Behavior Problems.

CHAPTER 16 Managing Sensory Issues.

CHAPTER 17 Managing Sleep and Sleep Problems.

CHAPTER 18. Considering Complementary and Alternative Treatments.

CHAPTER 19 Managing Sibling and Family Issues.

CHAPTER 20 Planning for the Future.

APPENDIX Criteria for Autism.

GLOSSARY.

INDEX.