Practical advice and information from the world's foremost experts on autism -- and a mother's own hard-won lessons from helping her son recover from the disorder When Karen Siff Exkorn's son, Jake, was diagnosed with autism, she struggled to pull together comprehensive information about the disorder. Fortunately, she was able to educate herself quickly, and her extensive at-home treatment of her son led to his amazing full recovery. But the journey wasn't easy, and now, in The Autism Sourcebook, Siff Exkorn offers parents the wisdom she wishes she'd had at the beginning. Recent studies show that there is a worldwide epidemic of autism. More than 1.5 million people are affected in the United States alone, with one in every 166 children diagnosed. Early detection and early intervention are two of the key factors in improving prognosis -- but too often, writes Siff Exkorn, parents get bogged down in denial or confusion about the still mysterious disorder, and are unable to take the necessary steps. Providing accessible medical information gleaned from the world's foremost experts, Siff Exkorn offers an inside look at families with children who have autism, and ties in her own firsthand experience as a parent. The author shares valuable knowledge about the following: What the diagnosis really means Understanding and accessing treatment options Knowing your child's rights in the school system Coping with common marital and familial stress Making the stigma of autism a thing of the past With extensive appendices, including the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Diagnostic Criteria for the Five Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and carefully selected lists of Internet resources, recommended readings, and top autism organizations worldwide, The Autism Sourcebook is the single most comprehensive, practical resource available to parents and loved ones of children with autism.

A one-stop compendium for parents of children with autism. The most recent studies estimate that 1 in 68 children in America are on the autism spectrum. For the parents and families of these children, having support is vital. But the search for the right information can be difficult, and it may be even harder to find the time for the research that is needed. The Parent’s Autism Sourcebook brings that information to you, offering families of children with autism a full range of up-to-date resources on diagnoses, doctors, organizations, and much more. Whether you are concerned about finding the right school, possible treatment options, methods for social interaction, or are just looking for the support of other parents of children with autism, this book can help you find what you need. The resources gathered from across the nation in this comprehensive sourcebook include information on: Evaluation and screening methods Specialized doctors and clinics Schools and social groups Potential treatments and interventions Legal services and consultation And more Raising a child on the autism spectrum can present unique challenges for parents. Finding the resources and support they need shouldn’t be one of them. The Parent’s Autism Sourcebook will help families everywhere.

Reaching out to everyone who lives with, cares about, or is trying to understand and help a young child who has or may have autism, this text provides expert guidance, covering the various forms of treatment and approaches available.

Guiding readers step-by-step through the complex of symptoms, definitions, assessments and diagnoses of the variety of autism spectrum disorders, the authors provide practical strategies to improve the assessment process and help the child or adult deal with the stress of the evaluations.