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Lorna d'Entremont
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Four Autism Books for Parents, Healthcare Professionals, and Educators

When families are faced with a diagnosis of autism, many are overwhelmed by new terms and treatment options. It is difficult for them to know who to believe, to know what to try or how to proceed. The following four books on autism will help to educate parents, healthcare providers, educators, and other professionals to ensure the best developmental outcome for the children under their care. The knowledge gained by reading these books will drastically improve your child’s challenges and well-being. They are packed with practical advice and will empower parents to be good advocates for their autistic children. Learn about different types of strategies and treatments that can help manage and treat anxiety and sensory issues that often go hand in hand with autism. Readers learn about ways to modify behavior and/or the environment to indirectly reduce anxiety, as well as interventions to make every day life easier for their whole family.

The Parent’s Guide to the Medical World of Autism:  A Physician Explains Diagnosis, Medications and TreatmentsThe Parent’s Guide to the Medical World of Autism:  A Physician Explains Diagnosis, Medications and Treatments  -by Edward Aull, MD

-By Edward Aull, MD Dr. Edward Aull, a behavioral pediatrician, has written a parent friendly, go-to book that explains his concepts about the use of medication to treat autism spectrum disorders, why medications might cause an adverse outcome, and what might be done to improve a patient’s results. The author has complete chapters on each of the following topics: autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, and sleep issues. Parents will especially appreciate his chapter on sleep issues as so many children with autism have problems falling asleep, maintenance of sleep, and with early awakening. Readers will appreciate that Dr. Aull always refers to medications by both their class and trade name. There are a few pages of Glossary of Terms at the beginning and a 21 page index that makes it possible to retrieve information efficiently. Dr. Aull skillfully weaves in case studies of his own patients with other information so readers will better understand. Read the complete review.

The Don’t Freak Out Guide to Parenting Kids with Asperger’sThe Don’t Freak Out Guide to Parenting Kids with Asperger’s  -By Sharon Fuentes and Neil McNerney

-By Sharon Fuentes and Neil McNerney Sharon Fuentes felt that most of the books for parents on autism or Asperger’s were very clinical and focused on trying to CHANGE or FIX her child. To Sharon, that insinuated that her child is broken. She wanted to write a book that was conversational and had a sense of humor so that parents could relate to it. She wanted to offer parents easy techniques on how they can help LEAD their child. The authors’ conversational tone reassures and comforts the reader. This book guides you through a simple process that allows you to:
  • Break the cycle of worry, anger and guilt.
  • Show you a new way to view your child.
  • Help you to become a leader in your child’s life.
  • Offer you support, hope and even a few laughs along the way.
This 178 page parenting book will make the lives of families raising a child on the autism spectrum much easier. Educators say the information in the book is extremely helpful to them also. The leadership styles  discussed in the book can actually work with any child. Read the complete review.

Autism: What Does It Mean to Me?

Autism: What Does It Mean to Me?: A Workbook Explaining Self Awareness and Life Lessons to the Child or Youth with High Functioning Autism or Asperger’s - Revised and Expanded 2nd -By Catherine FahertyA Workbook Explaining Self Awareness and Life Lessons to the Child or Youth with High Functioning Autism or Asperger's - Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition -By Catherine Faherty Want a resource to help children and youth on the autism spectrum to understand themselves in a positive and encouraging way? This is the autism workbook to use. What is new in the 2nd Edition? Catherine Faherty is a good listener and throughout the years since her first book was being talked about, she fine-tuned what readers pointed out they would like to see in her book and added the suggestions and new ideas from feedback she received. Furthermore this new edition reflects the changes and new information Ms. Faherty has observed through her work experiences with the autism community. Readers will appreciate the following in the 2nd edition:
  • Sections for older readers
  • Guidance for internet use
  • Chapter on happiness of 43 pages
  • Student’s introduction to IEPs
I am amazed at how thorough and well organized this autism workbook is. Like the first edition, each of the twelve chapters includes both worksheets for children and for older readers with autism, as well as pages of explanatory material and ideas for further study for teachers, parents, or therapists. We love this book and leaned a lot! It is a great autism workbook for autistic children, tweens, and teens to help them understand their characteristics and boost their self-esteem to lead a positive, productive, fulfilling and happy life. It is also a wealth of information for parents, teachers, and therapists of these individuals. Lucky are the kids with autism who have a caring adult who buys it and sits down with them to guide them through this awesome autism workbook! Read the complete review.

The Way I See It, A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s Revised and Expanded 3rd EditionThe Way I See It, A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s Revised and Expanded 3rd EDITION  -By Dr.Temple Grandin

-By Dr.Temple Grandin Dr. Tony Attwood in his Foreword explains it perfectly, “Temple has a phenomenal and encyclopaedic knowledge of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and, in reading The Way I See It, you will see autism the way it is.” Readers will appreciate Dr. Grandin’s honest insights and very clear and direct way of telling her personal story and giving advice. At the beginning of each section the author has added a new, updated introduction, which includes additional thoughts on the subject matter. As well as expanding and, in some cases, significantly updating the content, Temple Grandin has included 12 additional chapters.  In The Way I See It, Temple delves into some of the following topics:
  • How and Why People with Autism Think Differently
  • Economical Early Intervention Programs that Work
  • How Sensory Sensitivities Affect Learning
  • Behaviors Caused by a Disability vs. Just Bad Behaviors
  • Alternative Medicine vs. Conventional Medicine
PLUS, the revised and expanded 3rd edition has many new sections including:
  • Improving Time Management and Organizational Skills
  • Which School is Best for My Child with ASD?
  • Teaching Turn Taking and the Ability to Wait
  • Get Out and Experience Life!
  • Why Do Kids with Autism Stim?
  • Teens with ASD Must Learn Both Social and Work Skills to Keep Jobs
With the detailed Table of Contents and the 29 page Index, finding information to reread is made easy. Dr. Grandin does “not beat around the bush”, she has a life time of experiences and knowledge to share with her readers and she wants them to clearly understand how to help individuals who have autism and to start immediately to do so! The team at Special Needs Book Review has been a fan of all of Temple Grandin’s books! We highly recommend The Way I See It. Read the complete review.

WRITTEN ON April 01, 2015 BY:

Lorna d'Entremont

Lorna d’Entremont has a Master of Education and has taught thirty years in French elementary classrooms in Nova Scotia. When she retired from teaching, she joined her daughter as co-owner of SentioLife Solutions,Ltd. the makers of the sensory, oral-motor tools SentioChews and KidCompanions Chewelry. She blogs about issues that concern parents of children with special needs and also writes reviews for their Special Needs Book Review site. She is a wife, mom of three, and grandmother of five granddaughters.