Understanding Autism For Dummies

Stephen M. Shore, EdD, who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum, is a college professor and an international lecturer and consultant on autism.Linda G. Rastelli, MA, is an award-winning writer with 20 years of experience writing about health, education, and business topics.

• Foreword xviiIntroduction 1About This Book 2Conventions Used in This Book 2What You’re Not to Read 3Foolish Assumptions 3How This Book Is Organized 4Part I: Understanding Autism 4Part II: Addressing Physical Needs 4Part III: Enhancing Learning and Social Skills 5Part IV: Living with Autism as an Adult 5Part V: The Part of Tens 6Icons Used in This Book 6Where to Go from Here 7Part I: Understanding Autism 9Chapter 1: Autism: The Big Picture 11What We Know — and Don’t Know — about Autism 12Making the Diagnosis: Learning Your ASDs 13Understanding the diagnostic criteria 14Seeing the signs: Autism symptoms 15Understanding the Far-Reaching Impact of Autism 17How autism can affect the diagnosed individual 18How autism can affect families, schools, and communities 18How autism can affect caregivers 19Navigating the Sea of Interventions 20Using behavioral, developmental, and other educationally based interventions 21Implementing occupational and speech-language therapies 23Medicating symptoms that can accompany autism 23Applying biomedical and natural interventions 24If You Think You (Or People You Care for) Have Undiagnosed Autism 25Chapter 2: From Classification to Treatment: Scanning the Autism Spectrum 27Surveying the Colors of Autism 28Severe (or “classic”) autism 29PDD and PDD-NOS 30Asperger Syndrome 31Considering Conditions That Resemble Autism 32Childhood Disintegrative Disorder 32Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 33Other possible diagnoses 33Understanding Why Early Treatment Matters More than Classification 35Attempting early identification and intervention 35Getting good medical care 36Enrolling in effective early programs 37Chapter 3: Causes, Clusters, and Clues: Where Does Autism Come From? 39Considering the Rise in Diagnoses 40Exploring the Genetic Link 41Familial patterns 41Brain size and structure 42The brain-gut connection 44The testosterone link 45Examining Biomedical Theories 45What do allergies have to do with it? 46Heavy-metal poisoning hypotheses 47Autoimmune or virus-induced theories of causation 49The Backlash Against the Cure 50Chapter 4: Getting a Diagnosis 53Tracking Your Child’s Medical History 54Broaching the Possibility of Autism with a Doctor 55Preparing for the consultation 56Requesting a referral 57Consulting a Specialist 58Contacting a qualified specialist 59Sharing information 62Embarking on the assessment process 62Diagnosing related conditions 65Dealing with the Impact of the Diagnosis 67Coming to terms emotionally 68Taking action 68Avoiding scams 69Chapter 5: Asperger Syndrome and Autism 71Discovering Where Asperger Syndrome Sits on the Autism Spectrum 72Examining common characteristics of Asperger’s 72Diagnosing Asperger Syndrome 73Examining typical nondiagnostic personality traits of Asperger Syndrome 76Helping People with Asperger Syndrome Socialize 78Finding the hidden curriculum 79Handling idioms and figures of speech 80Dealing with the Emotions Triggered by Asperger Syndrome 82Avoiding the rage cycle 83Working through frustration 87Using emotion thermometers to gauge emotional states 87Recognizing Bullying and Its Emotional Repercussions 89Signs of bullying 90Taming the bullies 91Transitioning to Adulthood 91Part II: Addressing Physical Needs 93Chapter 6: Injecting Yourself with Knowledge about Autism Medication 95Considering Drug Therapy 95Looking at how medication can realistically help 96Educating yourself and pursuing drug therapy 96Using medication wisely 97Identifying Helpful Medications 99Beginning the process with a qualified doctor 100Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) 101Atypical antipsychotic drugs 102Tricyclic drugs 104Antiepileptics (also known as anticonvulsants) 105Medications for challenging behaviors in severely affected people with autism 106Maximizing Safety When Vaccinating Your Child 107Considering your child’s medical history 107Looking at an alternate vaccination schedule 108Chapter 7: Improving Immunity and Boosting Biochemistry 109Taking a Look at the Balancing Act of the Immune System 110Exposing the Relationship between Autism and Immune Abnormalities 112Analyzing immune measurements in the blood 113Exploring gut problems 114Studying brain tissue 115Improving Immunity 116Focusing on first-line fundamentals 117Seeking out second-line strategies 118Tackling third-line therapies 119Biochemistry Begets Behavior: A New Way of Thinking 121Shedding light on the broken pathways 121Maximizing metabolism 122Getting the Lead (and Mercury) Out 124Why the autistic child? 124Testing for toxicity 125Chelating 125Chapter 8: Optimizing Nutrition 129Tempering Your Expectations 130Considering Your Dietary Intervention Options 130Cleaning up your child’s diet 131Going wheat and dairy free 133Supplementing your child’s diet 136Implementing Your Plan 138Keeping a food and symptom diary 138Involving professionals 140Easing the transition 141Experimenting with specialized diets 142Eating on the road 143Part III: Enhancing Learning and Social Skills 145Chapter 9: Choosing an Appropriate Behavioral, Developmental, or Educational Intervention 147Understanding What to Look for in the Alphabet Soup of Approaches 148Actions and behaviors that lead to success in all interventions 149Keys to success in educational interventions 149Exploring Popular Intervention Approaches 150Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) 151Daily Life Therapy (DLT) 155Developmental Individual Difference Relation-Based Intervention (DIR) 157Miller Method 160Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) 164Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) 169Social Communication Emotional Regulation Transactional Support Model (SCERTS) 173Deciding Which Method Is Best for Your Child 176Financing the At-Home Program of Your Choice 177Exploring your at-home options 177Obtaining government assistance 178Chapter 10: Dealing with Learning and Sensory Differences 181Autistic Learning: Transferring Skills and Providing Structure 182Thinking conceptually and transferring concepts 182Incorporating routine into daily life 184Bridging the Communication Gap 186Developing sign language as a communication bridge 186Working toward functional communication 186Using assistive communication technology 187Enjoying music therapy 193“Retraining” the Brain through Neurotherapy 194Examining and implementing neurotherapy 195Reviewing a neurotherapy study 196Making Sense of Sensory Confusion 197Observing sensory integration challenges 197Using hippotherapy 200Working with speech-language pathologists 200Seeing through Irlen-branded lenses 201Handling Your Child’s Sensory Issues 202The supermarket test 202The eyes have it 203The auditory-processing blues 204Socially unacceptable stimming 204Dealing with the most severe behaviors 206Chapter 11: Finding a Learning Environment That Fits Your Child’s Needs 207Inclusion: To Be or Not to Be? 208Recognizing an Effective Classroom 209Maintaining routine and predictability 209Learning through all the senses 211Evaluating the room itself 212Observing a Good Teacher 215Characteristics to look for in an educator 215Warning flags to avoid in an educator 216Developing Effective Accommodations 217Accommodations in action 218Addressing the fairness of accommodations 219Considering educational techniques for promoting inclusion 222Weighing Your Options when the Public School System Falls Short 224Exploring the world of home schooling 224Considering other educational options 226Understanding and Reducing Challenging Behaviors 226Getting to the core of the behavior 227Performing a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) 227Chapter 12: Legally Speaking: Making the Most of Your Child’s Education 235Navigating the Legal and Education Systems 235Understanding what the law allows 236Keeping track of changes in the law 236Staying Involved with Your Child’s Education 238Working within the system 238Supporting your child at home 239Acting Early with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) 240Specifying Special: Entering the Public School System 241Initiating an evaluation to establish eligibility 241Implementing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) 243Assessing Your Child’s Progress 250Flexing Your Educational Rights When You Need To 251Chapter 13: Fostering Healthy Relationships 253Recognizing the Social Challenges an Autistic Child Faces 254Understanding social norms 254Conversing and cooperating 255Supporting a child when verbal communication is minimal or nonexistent 256All in the Family 258Talking about autism with your kids 259Considering the challenges siblings face 260Including extended family 263Encouraging Your Child to Form Friendships 264Staging an emotional rescue 265Creating social stories and calling on Power Cards 266Making conversation 268Sparking interactive play 269Respecting differences 270Part IV: Living with Autism as an Adult 271Chapter 14: For Adults with Autism: Living Well after K-12 273Discovering How to Live Interdependently 274Managing your daily life 274Deciding where to live 275For caregivers: Preparing your dependent to succeed from day one 276Out of the High-School Daze: Pursuing Higher Education 277Evaluating your educational options 278Getting the accommodations you need for higher education 282Practicing self-advocacy and disclosure 283Easing into higher education 284For caregivers: Helping your dependent realize his/her higher-education dreams 285Time to Nurture Your Bank Account: Finding (and Keeping) Employment 285Matching your skills and desires with job opportunities 286Working with a job coach 287Applying for and obtaining a position 288Maintaining your job 291Gracefully exiting your position 291Considering self-employment 292For caregivers: Helping a dependent find employment 293An Advocate Off the Ol’ Block: Getting Involved with Your Community 295Becoming a part of your community 296Looking within the autism community 297For caregivers: Encouraging an adult with autism to get involved 299Chapter 15: For Adults with Autism: Fostering Friendships and Romantic Relationships 301Developing Friendly Relationships 302Understanding the circle of relationships 302Making first contact 304For caregivers: Helping your dependent establish friendships 306Recognizing (And Overcoming) the Challenges of Dating 307Asking for a date 307Behaving appropriately during the date 309Opting for full or no disclosure 310For caregivers: Moving on to dating 311Taking It to the Next Level with Sexual Behavior 312The most important part of boyfriend or girlfriend is “friend” 313Engaging in sexual activity 314For caregivers: Exploring sex education for people with autism 315Chapter 16: Special-Needs Planning for the Future 319Avoiding Common Financial Mistakes 320Putting Plan to Paper: Getting Started 320Taking account of your child’s prognosis 321Keeping eligibility for government services in mind 322Sizing up your estate 323Considering living arrangements and guardianship 323Involving an Attorney and/or Financial Planner 323Writing Your Will 325Setting up a special-needs trust 326Giving a morally obligated gift 330Designating guardianship 331Part V: The Part of Tens 333Chapter 17: Ten Tactful Responses to Challenging Questions or Comments 335“What Special Talent Does He Have?” 335“Why Can’t You Control Your Kid?” 336“Asperger Snausperger. He Looks Fine. He Just Needs a Better Attitude.” 337“Who Did He Inherit It From?” 337“Why Should Your Child Get Special Treatment?” 338“Are You Kidnapping That Child?” 338The “Bad-Parent” Look 339“Is She Still in Her Own World?” 339“They Grow Out of It, Don’t They?” 340“But She Doesn’t Look Autistic ” 340Chapter 18: Ten Things to Do after a Diagnosis 341Learn and Read as Much as Possible 341Network with Other Families 342Test, Test, Test 342Investigate Sources of Financial Aid 342Consider Major Lifestyle Changes 343Set Up an Educational/Behavioral Program in Your Home 343Begin Therapies 343Address Your Child’s Diet and Nutrition 344Don’t Give Up 344Get Out and Relax 344Appendix: Where to Go for More Help 345Finding Other Helpful Texts 345Specializing in autism spectrum disorders 347Special-education publishers 347Research journals and magazines 348Surfing Informative Sites on the Web 348Connecting with advocacy organizations 349Perusing general-information sites 350Having some fun 351Gaining insight from people with an ASD 351Chatting about autism 352Exploring listserves 353Accessing World-Wide Autism Organizations and Resources 354Index 355