My Child Has Autism, Now What?

10 Steps to Get You Started

Susan Larson Kidd

"Your child has autism"-four small words with the power to leave parents feeling helpless, overwhelmed, and confused. This concise, no-nonsense book will enable parents to regain control of the situation and take the first practical steps towards a calm and happy life with their newly-diagnosed child.

Dr. Larson Kidd's approach draws from the vast amount of information available on parenting a child with autism and distils it into ten manageable steps. It covers the key aspects of life with a child on the autism spectrum, including the basics such as sleeping, eating, and toileting, through adapting the home, creating routines, and exploring therapy. Ready-to-implement strategies are outlined simply and clearly, and are firmly grounded in the author's extensive experience of supporting children with autism.

This practical book will be essential and empowering reading for every parent whose child has recently been diagnosed with autism or for parents still struggling with where to begin to help their child.

Contents

Introduction: Beginning the Path.
Step One: Help Your Child with Sleeping, Eating, and Toileting.
Step Two: Help Your Child by Using Visual Supports.
Step Three: Incorporate Sensory Integration Strategies.
Step Four: Simplify Areas in Your Home.
Step Five: Use Music to Help Your Child.
Step Six: Create Routines.
Step Seven: Take Your Child to Speech/Language Therapy.
Step Eight: Start Educational Services.
Step Nine: Start with the Basic Biomedical Interventions.
Step Ten: Build a Support Team.
Afterword: You Are on Your Way.
Appendix A: Sensory Plan Format.
Appendix B: Samples of IEP Goals and Services.
Appendix C: Educational Services Information in the United States.
Bibliography.
Index.

MY REVIEW

I think this would be the perfect book to give to every parent right after they get the diagnosis. It is an excellent starting point. It is very practical and very user friendly. I wish I had been given this book after my son Aiden was first diagnosed with Autism! I had no idea what to do or where to start and this book provides that.

It is well written and easy to read. Even if not every step relates to every case it is still a very handy guide. I am in Canada so the only thing I would ad is more international resources instead of just USA ones. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone just starting out on the path of parenting an Autistic child.

Thanks so much to Jessica Kingsley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to review.