What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? What does a diagnosis of ASD mean for the child and for you? How can you learn to fully understand behaviours common to ASD and help the child grow and prosper? This short introduction is an ideal starting point for anyone encountering ASD for the first time. The book covers all of the essential information needed to ground an understanding of the condition and offers effective practical strategies for assisting children who are living with ASD. It advocates putting aside conventional thinking and considering things from a different perspective - the way that the child with ASD sees the world. This concise and straight-talking guide to ASD will ensure parents, carers, teachers and other professionals feel confident, informed and able to cope with the road ahead.

'Whenever I see Martino I am reminded of how little I know about life and death compared to him. How we don't know what is within us or what may lie on the other side. I hope it's as magical and beautiful as this book.' RUSSELL BRAND 'Raw, brave, heart-lifting.' STEF PENNY, author of UNDER THE POLE STAR When film producer Martino Sclavi began experiencing intense headaches, he attributed them to his frenetic lifestyle. As it turned out, he had grade 4 brain cancer and was given 18 months to live. After undergoing brain surgery - while awake - Martino found he had lost the ability to recognise words. His response was to close his eyes and begin to move his fingers across the keyboard to write this, an account of life before diagnosis and since. Martino defied all predictions, words read out to him by the monotone of a computerised voice he calls Alex. Learning to live in a new way. This book - that he has written but could not read - charts the effects of his experience: on his relationship with his young son, his marriage, his work and with himself. In the wake of his illness, everything must be reconfigured and Martino is made to question the habits, dreams and beliefs of his old life and confront the present. What he finds is strange and beautiful. Searching for the words between life and death, Sclavi shows that with determination and a subtle, persistent sense of humour, it is possible to change the story of our lives.

There have been sweeping changes to disability legislation in recent years. Disability Discrimination in Employment considers the impact of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 which gives disabled people greater employment rights and protection, and also requires public bodies to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. The authors also analyze the additional guidance on the definition of disability which came into force in May 2006 to update the 1996 guideline, as well as the effects of the Equality Act 2006 and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Disability Discrimination in Employment is an invaluable guide for employment lawyers. Written for those advising both claimants and respondents, it provides a clear, accessible and thorough account of this complex area of law. Incorporating the most recent legislative changes and case law, this guide is a useful tool for those practicing in the tribunal as well as for those providing non contentious advice.
This book provides a comprehensive, practical and up to date overview of litigating discrimination claims in the employment tribunal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, and the Higher Courts. The authors analyze the important cases which cover issues such as: general guidance on the approach to disability discrimination cases; mental impairments; compensation in disability claims; and reasonable adjustments and knowledge.
Disability Discrimination in Employment provides a lucid distillation of the concepts set out in the legislation and allows practitioners quick access to key cases and materials. Invaluable practical advice, checklists, information on relevant procedural rules, and useful precedents arepresented in a clear and accessible format alongside the relevant legislation and case law.
As well as being extensively cross-referenced throughout each chapter contains a useful summary of the law, a list of relevant cases, a list of statutory provisions and references to the Code of Practice and Guidance. The appendices contain a copy of Part II of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 marked up to show the legislative changes as well as copies of the Guidance and the Code of Practice.

Winner of the Michael Ramsay Prize 2016 Dementia is one of the most feared diseases in Western society today. Some have even gone so far as to suggest euthanasia as a solution to the perceived indignity of memory loss and the disorientation that accompanies it. In this book John Swinton develops a practical theology of dementia for caregivers, people with dementia, ministers, hospital chaplains, and medical practitioners as he explores two primary questions: * Who am I when I've forgotten who I am? * What does it mean to love God and be loved by God when I have forgotten who God is? Offering compassionate and carefully considered theological and pastoral responses to dementia and forgetfulness, Swinton's Dementia: Living in the Memories of God redefines dementia in light of the transformative counter story that is the gospel.

In this new book Simon Baron-Cohen summarizes the current understanding of autism and Asperger Syndrome. He explains the process of diagnosis, as well as the options for education and intervention for those with these conditions. Taking a lifespan approach, Professor Baron-Cohen considersa how the conditions affect very young children through to adulthood. He also outlines his new Empathizing-Systemizing (ES) theory, which aims to explain all of the psychological features of autistic-spectrum conditions. This book is designed firstly for people with these conditions and their families. It will be useful to clinicians, teachers, and other professionals involved in the care and support of people on the autistic spectrum. The book will also provide an invaluable introduction to the topic for students in the social and biological sciences.

Get off to a good start. Learn sensible, solid strategies that can be put into practice with children on the autism spectrum right away. "Starting Points: The Basics of Understanding and Supporting Children and Youth with Asperger Syndrome" offers a variety of strategies and visual supports that help children on the spectrum such as: who have difficulty with abstract concepts and thoughts; who have difficulty understanding and regulating emotions; who have difficulty recognizing, interpreting, and empathizing with the emotions of others; who find it easier to answer questions with choices versus open-ended questions; need cues for how and when to transition from an activity or place to the next; and, much more. Starting from the premise that no two individuals with AS are the same, Hudson and Myles provide a global perspective of how the core characteristics of AS may appear separately and/or simultaneously, and how they may manifest themselves in a variety of situations. Each characteristic is then paired with a brief explanation, followed by a series of bulleted interventions.

Bryna Siegel gives parents of autistic children what they need most: hope. Her first book, The World of the Autistic Child, became an instant classic, illuminating the inaccessible minds of afflicted children. Now she offers an equally insightful, thoroughly practical guide to treating the learning disabilities associated with this heartbreaking disorder.
The trouble with treating autism, Siegel writes, is that it is a spectrum disorder--a combination of a number of symptoms and causes. To one extent or another, it robs the child of social bonds, language, and intimacy--but the extent varies dramatically in each case. The key is to understand each case of autism as a discrete set of learning disabilities, each of which must be treated individually. Siegel explains how to take an inventory of a child's particular disabilities, breaks down the various kinds unique to autism, discusses our current knowledge about each, and reviews the existing strategies for treating them. There is no simple cure for this multifarious disorder, she writes; instead, an individual program, with a unique array of specific treatments, must be constructed for each child. She gives practical guidance for fashioning such a program, empowering parents to take the lead in their child's treatment. At the same time, she cautions against the proliferating, but questionable, treatments hawked to afflicted families. She knows the panic to do something, anything, to help an autistic child, and she offers parents reassurance and support as well as sensible advice, combining knowledge from experience, theory and research.
For parents, autism in a child is heartbreaking. But it need not be overwhelming. Bryna Siegeloffers a new understanding, and a practical, thoughtful approach, that will give parents new hope.

Advocacy skills must be taught because they are essential to life success. Learn from people with ASD on how to teach these skills! Edited by Stephen Shore, Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum helps people with autism effectively self-advocate in their pursuit of independent, productive, and fulfilling lives. Ask and Tell is unique in that it'ss the first book to speak to the twin issues of self-advocacy and disclosure for people with autism. This book also discusses how advocacy begins in preschool and extends throughout the lifespan with meaningful examples, such as showing how people with autism have great value to society. It is written and illustrated entirely by individuals with ASD, including a preface by Temple Grandin. Overall, successful self-advocacy involves a degree of disclosure about oneself that often carries some degree of risk in an effort to reach the goal of better mutual understanding. Ask and Tell offers countless practical ideas and advice adjusted for different personalities and personal preferences, and always backed by the real life experiences.

Ann Burack-Weiss explores a rich variety of published memoirs by authors who cared for ill or disabled family members. Contrary to the common belief that caregiving is nothing more than a stressful situation to be endured, memoirs describe a life transforming experience-self-discovery, a reordering of one's priorities, and a changed view of the world. "The Caregiver's Tale" offers insight and comfort to individuals caring for a loved one and is a valuable resource for all health care professionals.

Identifying common themes, Burack-Weiss describes how the illness career and social meaning of cancer, dementia, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and chemical dependence affect the caregiving experience. She applies the same method to an examination of family roles: parents caring for ailing children, couples and siblings caring for one another, and adult children caring for aging parents.

Jamaica Kincaid, Sue Miller, Paul Monette, Kenzaburo O?, and Philip Roth are among the many authors who share their caregiving stories. Burack-Weiss provides an annotated bibliography of the more than one hundred memoirs and an accompanying chart to help readers locate those of greatest interest to them.

Because of the unique needs of children with ASD, it is important to pay special attention to the details of their experience in the medical environment. Designed to help make the medical experience easier for all involved, this book presents information on ASD, the varying developmental levels, interventions, and assessments that medical staff, parents, educators, and key service providers can use to more effectively interact with and support children with ASD while in the medical setting. The information and techniques presented in "Prescription for Success" can be used by doctors, nurses, medical technicians, residents, interns, and even administrative staff to support children with ASD and their families in what can otherwise be trying circumstances. There is a CD at the back of the book that includes forms and worksheets that can be printed and duplicated.

'I was born on 31 January 1979 - a Wednesday. I know it was a Wednesday, becasue the date is blue in my mind and Wednesdays are always blue, like the number nine or the sound of loud voices arguing.' Like the character Hoffman portrayed, he can perform extraordinary maths in his head, sees numbers as shapes, colours, textures and motions, and can learn to speak a language fluently from scratch in three days. He also has a compulsive need for order and routine. He eats exactly 45 grams of porridge for breakfast and cannot leave the house without counting the number of items of clothing he's wearing. If he gets stressed or unhappy he closes his eyes and counts. But in some ways Daniel is not all like the Rain Man. He is virtually unique amongst people who have severe autisitic disorders in being capable of living a fully-functioning, independent life. It is this incredible self-awareness and ability to communicate what it feels like to live in a totally extraordinary way that makes BORN ON A BLUE DAY so powerful.

"When I grow up I want to be a screwdriver!" A small boy spins down the sidewalk as his mother follows him with her eyes and heart. Nicky has autism. Winner of the ASA Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award, Just This Side of Normal is a powerful story of a parent's search for understanding in a world that sometimes makes no sense. This book was one of the first autobiographies written by a parent of a child with autism and it continues to inspire both parents and professionals in the autism community.

In this heartwarming book, a grandfather offers loving advice in a series of letters to his grandson Charlie, who has autism. His letters educate and inspire, while painting a beautiful, positive portrait of children with autism. He explains what autism is and what it is not, offers social dos and don'ts, and encourages Charlie to be who he is and follow his dreams. This title makes a great gift for young adults on the spectrum.

Music therapy is the use of music to address non-musical goals. More and more parents and professionals are finding that music can break down barriers for children with autism in areas such as cognition, communication, and socialization. While music therapists are experienced professionals who create unique interventions, many of the principles of music therapy can be implemented by other therapists, teachers, and parents - even by people who do not consider themselves musical! This book explains how to use the many elements of music to foster communication, and teaches you how to adapt music to meet a child's needs. Visual aids and already-written songs will get you started!

This extremely comprehensive book goes step-by-step through the symptoms, definitions, assessments, and diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The authors describe ASDs in terms of the parents, teachers, the school system, medical professionals, adult service providers, and private agencies involved. In addition to revealing what parents and professional can expect, this book also provides practical strategies to improve the assessment process and help the child or adult deal with the stress of the evaluations. Finally, they tackle the controversial issues surrounding the causes of ASD and available treatment options.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder (autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, or PDD-NOS), this book is for you. In an informative style, weaved with personal stories from parents, author Mitzi Waltz covers various topics: getting a diagnosis (including preparing for a diagnostic interview in a medical, psychiatric, or school setting, with descriptions of all diagnostic tests and checklists/questions used by professionals); treatment options (such as medications/supplements, sensory integration, occupational/physical/speech therapy, behavior modification, 'Floor time', and more); and coping with diagnosis and treatment (including emotions and support systems, insurance, and educational plans).