Autism Book Review: The Official Autism 101 Manual

The Official Autism 101 Manual

Created and compiled by Karen L. Simmons

Winner 1st place Gold Medal in Medication, Health and Nutrition at the 11th Annual IPPY Awards Competition presentation during Book Expo 2007


Author Karen Simmons is the mother of six, two with special needs, and one of those with Aspergers. She is the founder and CEO of Autism Today, which is a world leader in providing resources for Autism. Also a speaker and conference coordinator in this field, she was a perfect candidate for the creation of this book, which just received a prestigious gold medal for outstanding content through the independent Publishers Book Awards in new York coming in ahead of Stem Cell Repair and The Type II diabetes Crisis in America Today.

An authority herself by world standards, Simmons has pulled together 44 of the foremost experts and caregivers n the field of Autism to compile this manual, covering everything from early diagnosis to, how to cope; from the apparent rise in Autistic Spectrum disorders to treatment methodologies; and from historical perspectives to planning for the future Simmons’ own story is both heartwarming and life affirming. To find out about all the areas she has become successfully involved in, you might think she is Superwoman and in a way she is. But first and foremost she is a mother with the maternal instincts of a tiger and the heart of a lion.

I was not always the supportive patient mother I wanted to be. Don’t get me wrong, I think I’ve been a great mum for my aspie – there are things I’ve understood that only he and I know, and as a result, we are very connected. But not understanding my own challenges made it difficult to be patient with his, and when the stress levels got too high for either one of us, there were explosions! Over the years I’ve taken great personal strides in learning to love our oddities. We’ve had to learn to do a lot of things through trial and error – ultimately that’s what we all do anyway. But what a gift to have the Autism 101 Manual! Now trial and error doesn’t need to feel like flailing around in the dark. Take a one-step-at-a-time approach to using the tools that have worked for others, knowing there is an arsenal of support and information available.

So, either you’ve just found out your child is autistic, or you’ve been plugging along trying to find the time and energy to gather all the information you need. Where do you go? How do you start? These are important questions that are answered here, but more than that, the brief yet complete descriptions of autistic behaviours, resources, and anecdotal illustrations of family life with an autistic are the threads that connect those who are still confused, to a very real world of hope and support.

The Official Autism 101 Manual is your ultimate resource for understanding and responding to autism as a parent or a professional. Only this master collection brings you the very latest ideas and insights from the authors and experts you already trust plus many new voices you can now hear for the first time. With 44 contributors, you learn from dozens of caring experts and supporters who bring you the best the autism community has to offer.

For details about this authoritative book on autism go to the Autism Today website now!

Kids With Autism: A Parents' Approach In Handling An Autistic Situation In The Family

Discovering your child has autism may be a distressing ordeal, and unfortunately, time is of the essence. As a parent, you do not have the time to consider why or how this happened, only what to do next. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone in your struggle. By researching the disorder and finding others going through similar situations, you can help you child while still dealing with your own emotional response.

Look for and join autism support groups for parents with autistic children. You can find these by searching for national autism associations or contacting the national Autism Society of America. From there you can find local branches, many of which offer support groups for parents and families with an autistic child. Being in contact with other parents in a similar situation can not only help you feel less alone, but it can provide you with a myriad of resources.

One place where you can have access to information on such groups is Autism Today. You can visit Autism Today website here.

A parent support group will also help point you in the direction of the best doctors, intervention programs, and workshops for both your child and your family. Find a support group for any other children you have as well. Many parents forget that they are not the only ones who must learn to live and communicate with an autistic child. By locating a support group for your other children, you can help them from acting out or acting against the autistic child by teaching them about the illness. As a parent, you must create a supportive environment for the entire family in order to properly manage your child’s illness.

Consider marriage counseling if you are married. An autistic child can put serious strain on a marriage, leading to escalating arguments, neglect of each other, and even perhaps blaming each other for the situation. Marriage counseling from the very beginning can help a couple through this discovery and rough transition, and help build a better supportive environment for your children. Your marriage should not end as a result of having an autistic child, but the sad fact is that many of them do. Prevent this by using one another for support and by understanding that you may need help to deal with one another now and in the future.

Most importantly, start on the path to becoming an expert. Many times pediatricians or psychiatrists are not experts or autism specialist, which can lead to improper diagnoses or incorrect treatment options. As your child’s best advocate, you must know everything you can about autism learning. You will have free resources, books and information when you join Autism Today. This organization offers training and workshops.

As always, remember that a support group of parents with autistic children can always provide you with books and research that focus on the reality of the situation. Educate yourself and those around you through, autism learning, to provide the most beneficial things for your child—love and guidance.