Living with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Guidance for Parents, Carers and Siblings

Front Cover
SAGE Publications, 2006 M12 4 - 96 pages
'The layout and presentation of the material are very "user friendly" and the book is, therefore, easy to read. Those with less direct experience of living or working with children who are autistic, including teachers and learning support assistants, who require some help in appreciating the complex range of behaviours and responses such children present, will find this little book illuminating' - Support for Learning By giving a concise account of what life may be like following the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) in the family, this book examines service provision at different stages, and provides information for parents, carers and practitioners. Parents want support and advice during and after a diagnosis of ASDs, and professionals want to be able to give the right answers. This book will meet the needs of both. Issues dealt with include: " how to help the family " how to help brothers and sisters " preparing children with ASDs for the world outside " keeping expectations high " how to work together with schools and other agencies " finding community links 'In my view it would be a good read for relatives, friends and teachers in training to enable them to understand many of the issues associated with children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It points up the various facets of having and living with a child with autism - as far as possible from a positive point of view. The authors, from their obvious extensive experience, have identified many problems and circumstances that parents/carers are likely to meet and that can be tackled in a wide variety of ways. The book is designed to raise these for consideration - and this it does well' - Support for Learning, Volume 22, Number 2

About the author (2006)

Elizabeth began her career as a Language teacher in Secondary schools. After retraining to work with Primary age children, she held a variety of posts in mainstream and special educational settings, before moving to the voluntary sector as Parent Partnership Officer. She joined autism.west midlands over eleven years ago as Information Officer and is also the mother of a 24 year old son with ASD and SLD who now lives in an autism specific adult residential setting in Lincolnshire, having previously been a pupil at Sunfield School, Clent. In her current role as Learning and Professional Development Manager, her specific remit is to take the lead on all aspects of autism training both within autism.west midlands and externally, including the co-ordination of accredited autism training. Her particular areas of autism related interest are communication, play and social skills and working effectively with families. She is co-editor of the Good Autism Practice Journal and co-author of ‘Living with Autistic Spectrum Disorder’.

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