Jayne Lytel was a successful syndicated columnist when her son Leo was diagnosed with autism. Using her reporting skills to better understand her son's health issues, she helped Leo gain essential abilities. After four years of therapy, he no longer meets the diagnostic criteria for autism, attends a mainstream school, and is a thriving, healthy child. Act Early Against Autism is a practical and empowering guide for parents on how early intervention can change their child's future. Includes information on: - How to recognize early symptoms - Financial challenges - Alternative treatments - Devising and revising therapies

A empowering handbook for parents of special needs children reveals how early intervention can transform the future of a child diagnosed with autism, furnishing useful information on how to recognize early symptoms of the ailment, deal with the financial challenges, find the right treatment plan and therapists, negotiate the system, and more. Original.

Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States. Proactive adult behaviors leading to early intervention are a child's best hope to reach their full potential. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention partnered with Porter Novelli to develop a public health campaign called "Learn the Signs. Act Early." The goal of this campaign was to increase awareness about the early warning signs of autism to help invoke positive behaviors in parents so that children receive services at the youngest age possible. HealthStyles survey data were analyzed to assess the difference in level of autism awareness of those surveyed before the campaign launch and of those surveyed two years post-campaign launch. Association between awareness of autism and early intervention behavior was also examined. Results of the study show improvements in awareness of autism issues; however, the results indicate minimal association between awareness and early intervention behavior. Further research efforts are essential to modify the campaign and target the issues necessary to instigate early intervention behavior.

The early years are the most critical period of learning for a child with autism. Therapeutic art-making can be a useful tool to tap into their imaginations and help them to express their thoughts and feelings. Art as an Early Intervention Tool for Children with Autism includes practical advice on helping a child move beyond scribbling, organizing the child's environment for maximum comfort and relaxation, and providing physical and sensory support. This book is packed with tips and suggestions for how to provide art therapy for children with autism — covering topics such as the basic materials required, safety issues, how to set up a workspace, and ideas for managing difficult behavior. The author writes from a professional and personal perspective — Nicole Martin is a qualified art therapist specializing in working with children with autism, and she also has a brother with autism. Perfect for busy parents and as a practical reference for professionals such as psychologists, teachers, occupational therapists, sensory integration therapists and anyone working with a child on the autism spectrum.

For parents of children with autism and doctors treating autism, this groundbreaking guide will give you the tools to help your child. There was something wrong with Ryan. His parents knew it before the psychiatrist predicted he would end up in an institution. Ryan was diagnosed with autism at age four. That day changed everything. There was no recovery from autism . . . there was no cure . . . there was no hope. Or was there? I Know You’re in There tells the true story of how, through diet, applied behavior analysis, consistent and rigorous medical treatment, and more, Ryan’s family was able to overcome autism. It took a lot of trial and error, but today Ryan is an aerospace engineer, has friends, and lives a happy “typical” life. His recovery wasn’t miraculous, but instead the result of getting proper medical care, and his parents never taking “no” for an answer. Marcia provides real world examples and actionable steps to take to get your child the treatment and care that could help them beat autism. If your child has been diagnosed with autism, or the warning signs are there, which are also covered here, I Know You’re in There is an indispensable resource in your fight against autism spectrum disorder.

"This book is a message from autistic people to their parents, friends, teachers, coworkers and doctors showing what life is like on the spectrum. It's also my love letter to autistic people. For too long, we have been forced to navigate a world where all the road signs are written in another language." With a reporter's eye and an insider's perspective, Eric Garcia shows what it's like to be autistic across America. Garcia began writing about autism because he was frustrated by the media's coverage of it; the myths that the disorder is caused by vaccines, the narrow portrayals of autistic people as white men working in Silicon Valley. His own life as an autistic person didn't look anything like that. He is Latino, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, and works as a journalist covering politics in Washington D.C. Garcia realized he needed to put into writing what so many autistic people have been saying for years; autism is a part of their identity, they don't need to be fixed. In We're Not Broken, Garcia uses his own life as a springboard to discuss the social and policy gaps that exist in supporting those on the spectrum. From education to healthcare, he explores how autistic people wrestle with systems that were not built with them in mind. At the same time, he shares the experiences of all types of autistic people, from those with higher support needs, to autistic people of color, to those in the LGBTQ community. In doing so, Garcia gives his community a platform to articulate their own needs, rather than having others speak for them, which has been the standard for far too long.

Designed for parents, this book discusses the components of a "perfect" program for young children with autism, including a variety of proven techniques. It also includes a how-to guide for setting up an effective Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and transitioning a child with autism into a public school program.