When a military family has a child with autism, they face all the emotions and challenges that accompany this diagnosis, compounded by the realities of military service: war, extended family separation, frequent moves, varying access to specialized healthcare, and other stressors that complicate and often work against effective treatment for…

Parents of children with autism face many challenges that arise from the practical, day-to-day issues of living with autism. The specific goals of this guide are to help parents: (1) find information about autism; (2) distinguish between research-based and non-research-based information; (3) become savvy consumers of information by giving them the…

Finding out that a child has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can put an enormous strain on families, and the quality of support offered by professionals at this time can make a huge difference to how they adjust to the news. This book comprehensively sets out the type of support that is most beneficial to families immediately following an ASD…

Sometimes one of the most difficult parts of handling a life-altering event is not even knowing what needs to be accomplished, never mind what issues should be tackled first. There is no single set plan for any family, no "one size fits all" list of tasks to accomplish first. In this article the author, a mother of two children on the autism…

A resource kit containing information booklets about ASD, selected toys and playthings, and communication aids was developed and evaluated with 29 volunteer mothers supported by service personnel who visited on an average of six occasions. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies was used in the evaluation. Nearly all mothers found the…

Each of the disorders on the autism spectrum is a neurological disorder that affects a child's ability to communicate, understand language, play, and relate to others. They share some or all of the following characteristics, which can vary from mild to severe: (1) Communication problems (for example, with the use or comprehension of language); (2)…

Human Needs and Intellectual Disabilities identifies the 12 human needs most relevant to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, autism and related developmental disabilities. It includes detailed, practical suggestions for caregivers or parents interested in the happiness, quality of life, and self-determination of their loved ones or…

No two families cope with the diagnosis of a child's developmental disability in exactly the same way. In this article, three parents share their experiences with the diagnosis and treatment of an autism spectrum disorder. Listening to parents describe the impact of autism on their families reminds us that each child and family bring a unique set…

This fact sheet offers broad information about autism and answers some of the more common questions that parents and families often have about the disorder. The following questions are answered in this document: (1) What is autism?; (2) What causes autism?; (3) How many people have autism?; (4) Is autism more common in certain groups of people?;…

The field of autism is rapidly changing with increased funding for research into causes and treatments of this Autism Spectrum Disorder. This document will focus primarily on behavioral and communication treatment approaches that may be used within early intervention and/or preschool special education. Other treatment approaches that are not…

This "Packet of Information for Families" (PIF) was developed for parents whose children are identified as both gifted/ talented and on the autism spectrum, or twice-exceptional. Parents of twice-exceptional children often search for appropriate and challenging enrichment programs for their child, but the dearth of information available…

This self-instructional module is intended to provide basic information on autism and can be used alone or with supplementary videos. The module is divided into short sections, with each section including review questions and with a self-test (and answer key) on the whole module. After introductory material on the module's purpose and use and an…

The booklet, written by a parent and psychiatrist, provides basic information on autistic children and their families. Introductory sections touch on the history of the condition, its incidence, and its associated learning problems. Subsequent sections address the following topics: signs and symptoms, basic handicaps, behavior problems (such as…

This guide for parents and service providers contains information on autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children and is the product of a review of research-based programs and models and requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The document begins with discussion of the definition of ASD, possible causes of ASD, and…

This guide offers practical guidance for parents and practitioners working directly with children who have autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Chapter 1 distinguishes between the two conditions, offers a practical definition of autism, and stresses the importance of individual differences. Chapter 2 is on identifying special needs in autism and notes…