Diagnosis Autism: Now What? »

Lawrence P. Kaplan, Ph.D., is a parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder and is the founder of Special Abilities, Inc. He has twenty-five years of experience in strategic marketing and business planning, and he holds a Ph.D. in health care administration with an emphasis in autism spectrum disorders. Drawing on his decade-long tenure in professional and collegiate sports, Kaplan has created a "team approach" to develop a parent-physician partnership. His inaugural 10-Step approach was presented at the 2003 Autism Society of America National Conference. He is also the author of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Two Significant Quandaries.

Diagnosis Autism: Now What? presents ten crucial steps, which enables parents and others who care for children with Autism to improve treatment results for the child. The material covers everything from monitoring a child's development to the process of decision-making with the entire treatment intervention team. From choosing a primary care physician to negotiating a partnership with the doctor, this book explains the crucial importance of intensive early education and how to find the resources and help currently available.

Midwest Book Review

Diagnosis Autism: Now What? 10 Steps to Improve Treatment Outcomes is a guide written particularly for parents confronted with the unique challenges of raising an autistic child. Each of the ten steps is discussed and supported with the latest research and understanding of the nature of autism and successful means of treating it with the aid of a physician. Diagnosis Autism focuses above all on cultivating a strong family-physician bond in the best interests of an autistic child; thus the steps range from 'Monitor and Chart Your Child's Development' and 'Organize Information for Physician Interview' to 'Formulate Questions for Physician Appointment', 'Initiate Treatment and Program Approaches', 'Listen and Be Open Minded', and 'Review, Negotiate & Follow Through'. Diagnosis Autism is not a complete instructional manual on autism and how to treat it, but rather focuses upon the most difficult and challenging issues that parents and physicians have to deal with, and the common situations and misunderstandings that can crop up over sensitive issues. Highly recommended for families with an autistic child or adolescent member.