Books and Videos on Autism Spectrum Disorders
Topics: A New Diagnosis, Diet and Biomedical, Autism and Asperger's
Our reviews of the best books and videos on autism, Pervasive
Developmental Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome, grouped by categories. For
more topics, click
here or see the list box in the left column.
Ten
Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
.
Ellen Notbohm, a columnist and mother of sons with autism and ADHD,
tries to empower parents, encourage them to trust their instincts, and
find balance in their lives. An uplifting book, with practical advice on
everything from handling your child's meltdowns to dealing with sensory
overload, from a mother who has "been there."
Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism,
Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Other ASDs
.
Long title but a very worthwhile book for parents starting their autism
journey. Chantal Sicile-Kira walks you through the diagnosis, treatment
options and coping strategies, from her dual perspective as a former
case manager for people with disabilities and as a parent of an adult
son with autism.
Could
It Be Autism?: A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps
by
Nancy Wiseman tells you how to find out if your child is developmentally
delayed as early as four months of age. The book provides checklists,
discusses screening tests, and, if your child has autism, tells you how
to design an effective treatment program to help him reach his
potential. Wiseman says taking action early is better than waiting to
see if autism develops. We agree.
Toilet
Training for Individuals with Autism or Other Developmental Issues
by Maria Wheeler. Children with autism and PDD can be especially hard to
toilet train. This popular guide has many tips and examples of how to
teach youngsters, through repetition, rewards, picture schedules and
reducing sensory problems.
No
More Meltdowns: Positive Strategies for Managing and Preventing
Out-Of-Control Behavior.
Meltdowns — crying, kicking, tantrumming — are hard on any parent,
especially so if a child has autism or Asperger's. Clinical psychologist
Jed Baker Ph.D. teaches a four-step program for preventing and managing
your child's meltdowns. His program is based on behavioral principles.
He directs the Social Skills Training Project in Maplewood, NJ.
Diets
and Biomedical Treatments
Healing
the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The
Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders
by Kenneth Bock M.D. and Cameron Stauth. They say that a child's genetics "load
the gun, and environment pulls the trigger" to cause autism. Environmental
assaults on the developing immune system may include heavy metals, viruses,
vaccines and poor nutrition. Dr. Bock uses a detective approach in presenting
case studies. Broader in scope than Children with Starving Brains, with
a focus on allergies and other conditions.
Children
with Starving Brains: A Medical Treatment Guide for Autism Spectrum
Disorder
by Jacquelyn McCandless M.D. Outlines treatments based on the theory
that autism is a biomedical illness resulting in brain malnutrition.
Genetics, in combination with exposure to pesticides and heavy metals in
vaccines, can lead to immune system problems, gut dysfunction, and yeast
and viral infections, says Dr. McCandless, whose granddaughter has
autism.
Healing and Preventing Autism: A Complete Guide
.
Actress Jenny McCarthy, whose son recovered from autism, interviews Jerry
Kartzinel M.D. about Autism Research Institute biomedical treatments. Dr.
Kartzinel discusses steps parents can take while waiting to see a biomedical
doctor, dosages for supplements, yeast overgrowth and lab tests.
Changing
the Course of Autism: A Scientific Approach for Parents and Physicians
by Bryan Jepson M.D. with Jane Johnson. Discusses immune system and
detoxification problems in autism, brain inflammation, the effect of mercury,
and autism as an environmental illness. Dr. Jepson was medical director of
Thoughtful House in Texas.
Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism 2011-2012
by Ken Siri and Tony Lyons. A collection of chapters by more than 80
practitioners of different biomedical, alternative and educational therapies.
The
Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to the
Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet
.
A popular book by two Autism Research Institute (formerly Defeat Autism Now) practitioners, developmental
pediatrician Pamela Compart M.D. and nutritionist Dana Laake. Advice for
feeding picky eaters, and a good explanation of how and why the diet can
work. Recipes include information on calories, protein, fiber, etc., per
serving. Updated edition contains 100 new recipes plus information on packing
GFCF school lunches.
Special
Diets for Special Kids, Volumes 1 and 2 Combined
.
In this new release with CD, Lisa Lewis Ph.D. combines two
of her popular and pioneering books on the GFCF diet into
one volume, while adding more than 200 updated recipes and
information on the diet's "positive effects" for kids with
autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, allergies and Celiac
Disease. Has recipes for banana pancakes, yeast-free sorghum
bread, chicken nuggets, mock macaroni and cheese, cakes,
pumpkin pie, latkes, and foods kids will eat.
The Autism and ADHD Diet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Hope and Healing by
Living Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) and Other Interventions
by Barrie Silberberg, mother of a boy with Asperger's Syndrome. Her
son's behavioral symptoms improved dramatically after starting a diet
free of gluten, casein, artificial dyes and preservatives.
Cooking
for Isaiah: Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Recipes for Easy
Delicious Meals
by Silvana Nardone, editor of Every Day with Rachael Ray
magazine. Excellent gluten-free, milk-free recipes developed
with kids in mind, like S'mores pancakes with marshmallow
sauce.
Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder: A
Mother's Story of Research and Recovery by Karyn Seroussi. An excellent book
for parents considering a gluten-free, casein-free diet for a child with autism
spectrum disorder. Seroussi's son recovered from autism by strictly adhering to
this diet. She provides a thorough discussion of her son's problems with foods,
intestinal yeast, and vaccines.
Enzymes for Autism and other Neurological Conditions. Author/parent Karen L.
DeFelice discusses the role of enzymes in helping people with autism digest
foods that create problems for them. Many parents use enzymes in addition to a
gluten-free, milk-free diet, while some use them instead of the diet.
1001
Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism or Asperger's
by Ellen Notbohm and Veronica Zysk. Practical tips and strategies for
helping a child with his learning problems, sensory integration,
communication, behavior and social skills. Books by Notbohm, a columnist and
autism parent, are a pleasure to read. Revised edition.
The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
by Dr. Tony Attwood. One of the best books on AS, Attwood relies on research
and personal accounts of people with Asperger's to present a positive,
enlightening picture. Includes information on sensory and coordination problems,
and difficulties with empathy in people with Asperger's.
Parent Survival Manual: A Guide to Crisis Resolution in Autism and Related
Developmental Disorders, edited by Eric Schopler, Ph.D., founder, Division
TEACCH at University of North Carolina. The TEACCH method is used in many
schools. Based on interviews with parents and behavioral experts, this book
provides solutions to common problems involving aggression, communication,
hygiene, social skills, eating, and sleep.
Dr.
Temple Grandin, the most famous American with autism, tells her story in
The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's
.
Born at a time when autism was not widely understood, Grandin overcame obstacles
to become a professor of animal science. She made the 2010 Time 100 list of the
100 most influential people who are heroes. For an Emmy award-winning movie
about her life, see
Temple Grandin. As Grandin's mother explains, autism makes Temple
"different" but not "less."
The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome
by Patricia Bashe and Barbara Kirby, the founder of the popular Asperger web
site, OASIS.
Coloring Outside Autism's Lines: 50+ Activities, Adventures, and
Celebrations for Families with Children with Autism
.
When a child is diagnosed, a family's life can turn into a blur of therapies
and appointments. Susan Walton tries to help parents step back and enjoy
some family fun. Advice on zip lines, swings, stationary bikes, holidays,
and preparing your child for a new activity.
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