Search

Parenting can be chaos, a flurry of trial and error, problem-solving, and tears (of difficulty but also of joy!). Katy Elphinstone, an autistic parent who's experienced herself the wonders and the challenges of raising two children, one of whom is autistic, has taken notes on the'do's'and'dont's'of parenting when it comes to neurodivergent children.Supportive and refreshingly direct, Katy's advice can be tailored to you and your child's needs. We know there isn't a'one size fits all'guide to parenting! There's also space to write your thoughts down and organise those tips that work for you.With advice on all the day-to-day experiences such as preparing for school, venturing out to a new place, making friends, and even posing the question,'Can screentime be a positive?', Neurofabulous is the ultimate guide that gives you everything you need to ensure that you and your child thrive.

“The hardest thing is dealing with the rest of the world. And we kind of accommodate our lives around that. But the rest of the world doesn't.” These poignant words were spoken by Charlotte, a mother and primary caregiver of a five-year-old autistic boy, and her words reference the structural arrangements of our world that shape autism carework today. This book features the voices of fifty primary caregivers of autistic and neurodivergent children who illuminate the process through which laywomen become expert caregivers to provide the best care for their children. Expert caregiving captures an intensification of traditional family carework – meeting dependents'financial, emotional, and physical needs – that transcends the walls of one's private home and family and challenges the strict boundaries between many worlds: lay and professional, family and work, private and public, medical and social, and individual and society. The process of becoming an expert caregiver spotlights several interesting paradoxes in sociological literature, particularly regarding gender, family, and medicalization, and often forgotten structural flaws in “the rest of the world.” Throughout the chapters in this book, the expert caregiver is one person who faces unbelievably daunting tasks of filling or reforming persistent institutional gaps, primarily in education and health care, and subverting ableist cultural norms. Without institutional support, answers to their questions, or pragmatic avenues to access resources, lay caregivers become the experts. Their trials and tribulations, especially when navigating the boundaries of professional/lay and private/public worlds, illuminate a type of carework that is increasingly relevant to a growing number of young families caring for neurodivergent, disabled, medically fragile, and/or chronically ill children. These stories offer a vivid picture of the often invisible complex challenges and structural forces that drive individuals to become expert caregivers in the first place.

An essential primer based on a renowned new model of care that is comprehensive and research based, while honoring the uniqueness of every childAn estimated one in thirty-six children in the United States is diagnosed with autism. New research has shed light on the many factors that determine a child's trajectory—but many parents are still navigating this complex terrain without a road map. Pediatric neurologist Dr. Suzanne Goh has spent decades working with autistic children, and in this practical and research-based guide she shares her renowned and revolutionary model of care: an innovative, whole-child approach that combines optimal medical treatment with the most effective strategies for advancing cognition, communication, and behavior.Demystifying a wide range of diagnostics and therapies and offering new insights into the neurological, biochemical, behavioral, and social factors that play a role in successful outcomes, the book is an essential resource for understanding all of autism—a strengths-based approach that helps parents design a comprehensive treatment plan. It is also a celebration of what each autistic person brings to the world—and how parents can best nurture the remarkable uniqueness of their child while setting them up for the future they envision.

'This is an invaluable, nuanced, and deeply needed guide to parenting diverse children as we move, together, toward a future in which all brains and bodies are supported—and belong.'—Jessica McCabe, How to ADHDWhat if parenting were an act of social justice? In this part story-telling, part self-inquiry book, authors and therapists Jaya Ramesh and Priya Saaral situate parenting children of color with neurodivergence within the context of various interlocking systems of oppression including settler colonialism, White supremacy, ableism, and capitalism. These intersections engender isolation and loneliness. Using the voices of parents on the front lines and other experts, Parenting at the Intersections offer an invitation to parents to slow down and reflect on their own parenting journeys.When parents can be given space to listen to their own voices, to connect with their children, and find community with others, they can find the most radical ways to disrupt systems of oppression.

Learn powerful ACT training skills to foster parental collaboration and achieve therapeutic goals. As a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) working in the field, you understand how essential it is to enlist the support of parents when working with autistic children. This book offers proven-effective acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) training skills to get parents on the same page and working with you to achieve measurable results.The Behavior Analyst's Guide to Working with Parents offers a comprehensive conceptual framework for using ACT in parent training contexts. With this clinical guide, you will find a brief overview of relational frame theory (RFT), rule governance, and how these core concepts and principles align within the ACT model. The book also provides:Empirical evidence for using ACT within parent training contextsVirtue-based ethics and specific BACB® ethical codes to considerStep-by-step processes for using ACT in parent training contextsInformed consent processes Finally, you'll find an overview of specific ACT components that highlight detailed assessment considerations and metaphor development for each component—such as present moment awareness, acceptance, flexible perspective taking, and values-based action.If you're looking for strategies to improve parental collaboration, this book has everything you need to get started.

Recognising that your child is autistic is a pivotal moment for parents and carers. While it can lead to positives in terms of understanding behaviour and accessing support, the diagnostic process itself can be a huge source of anxiety, stress, guilt and worry.But it's going to be ok - because right here you have the ultimate guidebook to navigating the emotions and challenges that these early stages present.From weathering the initial impact of a potential diagnosis, to self-care strategies and finding new parameters for success, reading this book is like being taken by the hand and shown how to look after your own mental health while supporting your child. Each chapter is full of guidance from someone who's been where you are now, and tells you what you really need to know so you can journey from panic and uncertainty to confidence, acceptance and strength.

There is a significant divide between autistic advocates and parents of autistic children. Parents may feel attacked for their lack of understanding, and autistic adults who offer insight and guidance are also met with hostility and rejection. Meghan Ashburn, a mother of two autistic boys, and Jules Edwards, an autistic parent, were no strangers to this tension and had an adversarial relationship when they first met. Over time, the two resolved their differences and are now co-conspirators in the pursuit of disability justice. This book unites both perspectives, exploring the rift between these communities and encouraging them to work towards a common goal. It provides context to dividing issues, and the authors use their experience to illustrate where they've messed up, where they've got things right, and what they've learned along the way.

Parent's Quick Start Guide to Autism provides parents and caregivers with an immediate overview of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and steps they can take to support and encourage their child.Each chapter is packed with detailed and helpful information, covering what to do at home and at school, how to avoid common mistakes, and how (and when) to seek professional help. Summary and resource sections at the end of each chapter give quick guidance to busy readers. Topics include occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis (ABA), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interventions, and more.Offering straightforward, easy to understand, and evidence-based information, this book is a go-to resource for caregivers parenting a child with autism.

Have you ever wished there was a manual for parenting children on the autism spectrum? This book provides just that, offering clear, precise, step-by-step advice on everything you want to know, including: - How to toilet train your child without pushing or pressuring- How to get your child to sleep in their own bed and through the night- What to do when your child misbehaves/ lashes out, hits or bites- How to introduce new foods without a fightThis updated edition is based on Kate Wilde's decades of experience and the latest autism research. Tackling a wide range of common parenting milestones, the book offers tried-and-tested techniques to help you transform the challenges of home life and create harmony. Catering to all age ranges and points on the spectrum, this book will be invaluable to parents, caregivers, teachers and teaching assistants.

This practical guide offers a wealth of advice to support parents and caregivers who have an autistic child within their family. It provides accessible and straightforward information on the topics that matter most, from initial questions around diagnosis, to providing the best home support. Chapters also debunk myths commonly held about autism and signpost appropriate support mechanisms, including ideas to help with sleep, diet, sensory sensitivities, social interactions, communication, and much more. The emphasis throughout is on offering practical strategies to give much-needed, meaningful support to the child's main caregivers and other family members, in an easily digestible format.Written from the author's joint perspective as a qualified teacher with an expertise in autism, and as a grandmother of an autistic grandchild, this book is an essential guide for parents and caregivers, created by someone who understands and appreciates what it is like to walk in their shoes.

Don't you wish there was a'magic'formula for activities and games that...- Your loved one on the autism spectrum actually wants to participate in? - Develops their interactive attention span and socialization? There is! Designed around common special interests enjoyed by autistic people, this book includes over 180 activities for families to do together to help strengthen relationships and develop social skills. Kate shows how seven magic ingredients for optimal game-playing can be applied to a range of themes, from trains and planes to household appliances, the human body to animals and insects, TV and film characters, and what's more, how you can introduce your loved one's favorite topics. She shares'Presto Chango'beliefs - the five mindsets you need to power activities - as well as how to understand the magic of timing and knowing when to start and stop an activity based on your loved one's cues.

A growing body of evidence supports the benefits of high-quality parent interventions for building social and communication skills in 0- to 5-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). How can clinicians coach parents to effectively incorporate learning opportunities into daily routines at home? From preeminent experts, this practical book explores the role of the coach and reviews the'whats,''whys,'and'how-tos'of successful collaboration with parents. Topics include structuring coaching sessions, identifying children's needs, facilitating playful engagement, and deepening parents'understanding of how they can boost skills development during everyday activities. Seventeen reproducible handouts and forms include the multipage P-ESDM Infant–Toddler Curriculum Checklist, ideal for use in telehealth assessments. Purchasers get access to a webpage where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8 1/2'x 11'size.

A diverse collection of autistic voices that highlights how parents can avoid common mistakes and misconceptions, and make their child feel truly accepted, valued, and celebrated for who they are.Most resources available for parents come from psychologists, educators, and doctors, offering parents a narrow and technical approach to autism. Sincerely, Your Autistic Child represents an authentic resource for parents written by autistic people themselves.From childhood and education to culture, gender identity, and sexuality, this anthology tackles the everyday joys and challenges of growing up while honestly addressing the emotional needs, sensitivity, and vibrancy of autistic kids, youth, and young adults. Contributors reflect on what they have learned while growing up on the autism spectrum and how parents can avoid common mistakes and overcome challenges while raising their child.Part memoir, part guide, and part love letter, Sincerely, Your Autistic Child is an indispensable collection that invites parents and allies into the unique and often unheard experiences of autistic children and teens.

This is the first book of its kind that calls attention to an important fact: parents can make a tremendous impact on their child through behavioral practices taught at home. Dr. Barbera has created a tool kit that any parent can use to help remediate--and in some cases eliminate-some symptoms of autism and other developmental delays in young children, even in as little as 15 minutes a day.Developmental delays and signs of autism usually show up before 18 months of age, yet children are often not diagnosed until they are 4 or 5 years old. In Turn Autism Around, Dr. Mary Barbera explains why parents can't afford to worry and wait in long lines for evaluations and treatment while not knowing how to help their children. She empowers parents, caregivers, and early intervention professionals to regain hope and take back control with simple strategies to dramatically improve outcomes for their children.Dr. Barbera has created a new approach to teaching kids with developmental delays that uses the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) married with a positive, child-friendly methodology that any parent can use--whether or not their child has delays--to learn to teach communication skills, socialization strategies, as well as tackle sleep, eating, potty training, and behavior challenges in a positive, effective, and lasting way. Turn Autism Around is the first book of its kind that calls attention to an important fact: parents can make a tremendous impact on their child's development through behavioral practices taught at home, even in as little as 15 minutes a day. Her program shows these autism and developmental delays can be remediated, and in some cases, delays can be caught up altogether, if parents intervene while the child is young. This book is for parents of young children aged one-to-five years who are passionate about helping their child as well as learning how they can change the trajectory of their child's and family's life.

In this collection of beautiful and raw essays, Amy S. F. Lutz writes openly about her experience—the positive and the negative—as a mother of a now twenty-one-year-old son with severe autism. Lutz's human emotion drives through each page and challenges commonly held ideas that define autism either as a disease or as neurodiversity. We Walk is inspired by her own questions: What is the place of intellectually and developmentally disabled people in society? What responsibilities do we, as citizens and human beings, have to one another? Who should decide for those who cannot decide for themselves? What is the meaning of religion to someone with no abstract language? Exploring these questions, We Walk directly—and humanly—examines social issues such as inclusion, religion, therapeutics, and friendship through the lens of severe autism. In a world where public perception of autism is largely shaped by the'quirky geniuses'featured on television shows like The Big Bang Theory and The Good Doctor, We Walk demands that we center our debates about this disorder on those who are most affected by its impacts.

What have scientists learned about the causes of autism spectrum disorder? Why do different kids have such different symptoms, and what are the best ways to deal with them? Will there ever be a cure? From leading autism researchers, this accessible guide helps you put the latest advances to work for your unique child. Separating fact from fiction about causes, treatments, and prevention, the book guides you to make lifestyle choices that support the developing brain. From the impact of sleep, exercise, diet, and technology, to which type of professional help might be the right fit, the authors cover it all with expertise and compassion. Learn about the choices you face--and the steps you can take--to build a happier, healthier life for your child and family. Winner (Second Place)--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award, Consumer Health Category

A mother's fight for her children. Behind clinical approaches to autism are real human beings with real lives. This is just one of them. Written by an autistic parent, this book looks at the situation they faced when playing a game where nobody told them the rules. What would you do when faced with such circumstances? What would you do to fight a system that assumes guilt until innocence can be proved? How would you fight for your children's right to a family life when your approach to life is to simply tell the truth? This is a story of resilience and determination in the face of great odds, driven by a mother's love for her children.

The transition from high school to adulthood is one of the most challenging times for young people on the autism spectrum. What will happen when all their familiar teachers, educational assistants and friends disappear after graduation? Who will replace them in the adult world? How will they manage this drastic change? Drawing on her experiences as the mother of a child on the autism spectrum and a child psychiatrist, Katharina Manassis shares common transition-related challenges and offers real solutions for each. The book helps parents and teens plan for every stage of the journey. The book includes discussion of what a successful transition means and how to set realistic goals. It explores specific aspects of the transition such as employment, independence and social life, and looks at how to address long-term concerns such as living arrangements and financial support.

Seeing Autism is a comprehensive but easy-to-understand guidebook for caretakers, parents, educators, counselors, therapists, and researchers on various aspects of rearing and supporting children with autism spectrum disorder. It provides textual and visual information on technology tools, symptoms, diagnosis, auditory, sensory, visual, physical, and educational issues, as well as strategies and practices to help children on the Autism Spectrum reach their potential. Seeing Autism uniquely capitalizes on sketchnotes, a visual thinking tool, to communicate information and practices. Sketchnotes provide a unique space that can help the reader think differently, generate a variety of ideas, explore alternatives, and develop constructive points for expressing ideas and developing visual communication aids. This book will assist parents, educators, and professionals in schools (counselors, school psychologists, librarians) who work with childrendiagnosed with ASD; it will help readers increase their knowledge of autism and gain an appreciation for evidence-based practices and forms of technology that can be used to support learners on the autism spectrum. “This book is a call to arms and is as much a resource for the family friend as it is for the provider coming to the home. In the book Seeing Autism, Dr. Demetria Ennis-Cole helps individuals gain an incredible perspective and learn the struggles, challenges and joys of families rearing children, teens and adults on the spectrum. This book covers the entire spectrum and is a fantastic mix of research, parent perspective, and even sketchnotes for visual learners. The material is well-balanced and is a great resource to support individuals on the spectrum at home, in the community or in the classroom.'Brad McGarryFather, Speaker, Author and Director of the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst University

Empowering and practical, this guide is the perfect companion for parents who are finding it difficult to tell their children about their autism diagnosis. It provides a realistic yet uplifting approach to autism, treating it not as a disability but as a difference.Not telling children about their autism diagnosis can have a significant negative impact on their mental health; by equipping parents with a language of positivity around autism, the book will make a difference to many children on the spectrum. It advises on how and when to talk to autistic children with both high and low care needs, and provides guidance on supporting children's relationships with peers at school, as well as how to broach the conversation with the child's siblings.Concise and easy to read, The Little Book of Autism FAQs answers parents'questions with accessible language, preparing them to approach this difficult conversation in a constructive manner.

Parenting Like a Ninja is an authentic discussion of the complexity faced by working autism moms, with clear steps to increase energy and productivity in all areas of work and life. As a mommy of a child with autism, the daily reality of food wars, tantrums, a steady variety of body fluids, erratic non-sleep, and the revolving door of therapists is just exhausting. Autism moms keep it together, but sometimes, they just want the relentless pace of chaotic activity to stop so they can figure out the rest of their life, move ahead with their professional dreams, and just be more productive. In Parenting Like a Ninja, Faith Clarke walks moms through well-established principles of psychological well-being and thriving to create balance and energize their professional productivity, so they can build more of what they have been looking for professionally, all while being able to nurture their child's well-being.

Ilana and Martin Gerschlowitz were an ordinary South African couple – young, newly married with bright, promising futures – that is, before autism came knocking on their door. Saving My Sons tells of a journey few parents would ever want to encounter. Unwilling to accept the hopelessness of an autism prognosis, the couple set out to rescue their son from the fortress that kept him from them. Never giving up, Ilana spent every waking moment researching the illness until she found answers. Subsequently, drawing from international experts, she has gone on to help countless children facing learning challenges. When autism struck again, threatening another son's future, their mission became clear. This was not a fight they were prepared to lose. You can't read this book and remain untouched by the tenacity of a mother fighting to give her children their best lives, achieving the impossible and beyond.

Alec and Bobby are twins with autism, but nobody could ever say they are the same. Here, their mum gives a down-to-earth account of their family life, proving that autism is not one-size-fits-all. This honest and funny book shares experience and advice, and most of all, it celebrates family life that touches on all points of the autism spectrum.

This friendly book offers a blueprint for family life with autism by using rooms inthe home to represent key developmental areas. There are ideas and routines totry at home, including advice on toilet training, diet and nutrition, sensory play,and much more, and you can dip in and out of chapters as you need information.

This book provides a comprehensive outline of the major parent training programs for parents of children with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), including Autism Spectrum Disorder.Parents or primary caregivers spend the most time with a child, and training them in behaviour management and intervention strategies is critical to improving a child's behaviour, to helping them to learn new skills, and to reduce parental stress. Authored by eminent specialists in the field and written for researchers and clinicians supporting or treating families, each chapter focuses on one of the key evidence-based parent training programs - from Incredible Years® and Positive Family Intervention through to Pivotal Response Treatment and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Each chapter provides a breakdown that features an introduction to the model, evidence for the model, a full description of the model, a discussion of implementation and dissemination efforts, and concluding comments. Grounded in research, this definitive overview provides the evidence and guidance required for anyone considering investing in or running a parenting program.

When a professional states,'Your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)', it is enough to make your whole world fall apart. What does it mean to be on the autism spectrum? How will this affect your child's life, your life, the life of your family, and others you interact with? What sorts of medications, therapies, and alternative methods are used to help manage the disorder? What are the financial and legal ramifications? How will this affect schooling, your spiritual growth, and everyday life? These are just a few of the questions that will rapidly cross your mind. Caring for Autism: Practical Advice from a Parent and Physician delves into all these questions and more. As the father of a daughter with ASD and as a trained psychiatrist who specializes in ASD, Dr. Michael A. Ellis provides a holistic view of what comes after diagnosis. In user-friendly tones, he answers the most commonly asked questions about what it's actually like to live with ASD, what medications and therapies are available, and the global impact it has on the child's environment. With the help of his wife, Lori Layton Ellis, to provide a mother's perspective, Dr. Ellis shares personal stories of their 10-year journey in order to provide insight and support for anyone - patient, parent, caregiver - traversing the difficulties of autism.

This handbook offers practical strategies and evidence-based parent-implemented interventions for very young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It explores this important subject within the context of rapidly increasing numbers of toddlers who are diagnosed with ASD during the second year of life. The handbook discusses how parents of young children with ASD can effectively be supported, taught, and coached to implement evidence-based parenting strategies and intervention techniques, and describes a broad range of developmentally appropriate programs at the family, community, and service delivery levels. In addition, the handbook examines individual differences in parenting cognitions, emotions, and practices and proposes strategies for supporting the varying capacities of diverse families to meet the needs of young children with ASD. Chapters provide diverse coverage, spanning cultural/socio-economic differences as well as differences in family structure; parenting cognitions, emotions, and practices; parental learning styles; and access to social support. Featured topics include: Supporting families of high-risk infants who have an older sibling with ASD.The use of video feedback strategies in parent-mediated early ASD intervention. The Incredible Years (IY) Parent Program for preschool children with ASD and language delays. Self-help for parents of children with ASD. The Family Implemented TEACCH for Toddlers (FITT) support model. Parent-implemented interventions for underserved families in Taiwan. Family and provider-based interventions in South Asia. The Handbook of Parent-Implemented Interventions for Very Young Children with Autism is a must-have resource for researchers, clinicians/professionals, and graduate students in clinical child, school, anddevelopmental psychology, family studies, behavioral therapy, and social work as well as rehabilitation medicine/therapy, child and adolescent psychiatry, pediatrics, and special education/educational psychology.