The First Year: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Child »

Nancy D. Wiseman is the founder and president of First Signs, Inc. Her 12-year-old daughter, Sarah, was diagnosed with autism at age two. They live in Merrimac, Massachusetts.

An essential guide for managing all aspects of a child’s autism in the crucial stage after diagnosis, from the founder of the national nonprofit organization First Signs

Foreword Kenneth Bock, MD, FAAP, FACN, CNS xiii

Introduction xvii

Day 1

Learning: What Are Autism Spectrum Disorders? 1

Living: Affirming the Diagnosis 15

Day 2

Learning: Are You Doubting the Diagnosis or Denying It? 19

Living: Getting a Quick Start and a Second Opinion 24

Day 3

Learning: The Top Ten Most Essential Actions 33

Living: Living with Autism, an Olympic Challenge 37

Day 4

Learning: Is Recovery Possible? 40

Living: Understanding, Accepting, and Embracing the Diagnosis 47

Day 5

Learning: Getting Organized, Informed, and Connected 50

Living: Managing the Business of Recovery 57

Day 6

Learning: Navigating Long Waiting Lists 62

Living: Begin to Assemble Your "A" Team 64

Day 7

Learning: Defining Your Role and Your Family's Role 79

Living: The Journey Ahead 84

First-Week Milestone 87

Week 2

Learning: Diagnosis Is Not Enough 89

Living: Understanding Your Child's Individual Profile 94

Week 3

Learning: Autism's Underlying Biomedical Factors 101

Living: Finding the Right Biomedical Specialist 105

Week 4

Learning: Early Intervention 110

Living: How to Access Early Intervention Services 115

First-Month Milestone 121

Month 2

Learning: Know Your Rights; Know Your Insurance 123

Living: The Financials: Planning Ahead 144

Month 3

Learning: Taking a Balanced, Integrated Approach to Intervention 154

Living: Getting to Know the Treatments Available 160

Month 4

Learning: Making Observations and Understanding What They Mean 188

Living: An Example of Integrated Therapy 193

Month 5

Learning: UnderstandingYour Child's Educational Needs 203

Living: Finding the Appropriate School Program 210

Month 6

Learning: Preparing for the Educational Planning Process: Getting Your Ducks in a Row 214

Living: Navigating the Public School System 217

Half-Year Milestone 231

Month 7

Learning: When You're Not Getting What You Need from Your School District 233

Living: Learning How to Advocate for Your Child 239

Month 8

Learning: Identifying Coexisting Conditions 254

Living: More about Peeling Away the Layers 258

Month 9

Learning: Feeling Isolated, Staying Positive 265

Living: Finding Resources and Building Your Support System 270

Month 10

Learning: Refining Your Child's Treatments 276

Living: Assessing Your Professional Team and Using It Wisely 282

Month 11

Learning: Defining and Measuring Success: Assessing Your Mission and Goals 286

Living: More about Goals: Is There a Difference Between Your Stated Goals and Your "Real" Goals? 290

Month 12

Learning: Finding Balance, Knowing You Have Made a Difference 292

Living: Feeling Empowered, Finding Joy and Humor in Your Life 296

Appendix 1 The Early Indicators of Autism 303

Appendix 2 A Strawman Treatment Development Process 309

Glossary 313

Notes 321

Acknowledgments 331

Index 335