What is EIIS? EIIS Video EIIS Service Delivery System What is ASD?		Service Provider Parent Resource Package Training Opportunities Regional Evaluation Report
Section 4 - Information and Resources Suggested Books | Surfing the Internet: World Wide Web | CAP Sites | Autism Dictionary and Acronyms Return to Table of Contents Parent Resource Package Section 4 - Information and Resources (Download Section 4) Suggested Books At first the diagnosis of ASD can be very overwhelming. For many families, learning to cope with the diagnosis involves learning more about what ASD is and gathering information concerning various treatment options. When you are ready to explore these options you will find numerous accounts from parents about the success and failures of treatments. You will also discover that service professionals differ in their theories of what they feel is most successful. It can be frustrating! You will find inconsistencies. But, you can learn to sift through them, and make rational, educated decisions on what is appropriate for your child's needs. You live with your child day by day. You know his or her needs and you will come to know his or her autism. Trust your instincts as you explore the various options available. Over the years, many parents have found certain books about autism especially helpful to them when their child was first diagnosed. The books on the following pages are some of their recommendations.* *Please Note: All information provided or published by Early Identification and Intervention Services (EIIS) is for informational purposes only. Reference to any treatment or therapy option or to any program, service, or treatment provider is not an endorsement by EIIS. Recommendations for Parents and Family Members Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family's Triumph over Autism by Catherine Maurice. (New York: Fawcett Columbia, 1993). A Mother's account of using the Lovaas's Behavior Modification method with her children. Includes a good description of the grieving process parents go through. ISBN: 0449906647 (371 pages, 1994). Thinking in Pictures: and Other Reports of my Life with Autism by Temple Grandin. (New York: Bantam, 1995). Not really an account of Temple's life so much as her explanation of autism, particularly her own, citing examples from her own life and others she has talked to and read. ISBN: 0679772898 (240 pages, Random House Canada, 1996). Children with Autism: A Parent's Guide by Michael D. Powers. Guide to treatments, education and legal problems. Chapters: "What is autism?", "Adjusting to your child's diagnosis", "Medical problems, treatments, and professionals", "Daily life with your child", "Children with autism and their families", "Your child's development", "Finding the right educational program", "Legal rights and hurdles", "Becoming an advocate", "The years ahead: adults with autism". ISBN: 1890627046 (375 pages Monarch Books of Canada, June 2000). A Parent's Guide to Autism by Charles Hart provides an up-to-date overview of autism in children to guide parents to an understanding of the different components. ISBN: 0671750992 (288 Pages Simon & Schuster Trade, January 1993) Keys to Parenting the Child with Autism, 2nd Edition by Marlene Targ Brill. Autism is a developmental disorder that affects a child's communication, behaviour, and social skills. This new edition has been updated to reflect current trends and technologies used in diagnosing and treating autism. Parents will find balanced and up-to-date information on therapy, education, health care, and other areas. ISBN: 0764112929 (200 pages, Barron's Educational Series, February 2001) More Than Words: Helping Parents Promote Communication and Social Skills in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Full of practical ideas and colourful illustrations, this book shows parents how they can turn everyday activities into opportunities for promoting interaction and social skills. 1999, The Hanen Centre, Toronto. Recommendations for Siblings If you have other children in your family, explaining autism to a sibling can sometimes be challenging. Some parents have found that books geared towards siblings can help the process. Below is a list of some of their recommendations.* Captain Tommy by Abby Ward Messner. (1996) Captain Tommy is a sensitive and realistic portrayal of a young boy (Tommy) who reluctantly agrees to play with someone he perceives is different - a boy who has autism. Captain Tommy enables the reader to experience Tommy's initial concerns and questions, his attempts at reaching out, and his success and pride at having made a new friend. Suitable for K - Gr 4, Captain Tommy is an excellent resource for helping siblings, classmates, and neighbours better understand children with autism. (ISBN: 1885477589 28 pages, Future Horizons) Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism by Laurie Lears is a story about Julie and her brother Ian who has autism. She and her older sister take Ian for a walk and are really embarrassed by his unusual behaviours and sensory exploration. Ian then gets lost and Julie panics when she realizes how much she cares about him. She figures out how to find him by imagining where he would be. ISBN: 0807534803 (32 pages, Albert Whitman & Company, 1993). Joey & Sam: A Heart-warming Storybook about Autism, a Family, & a Brother's Love by Illana Katz & Edward Ritvo. Illustrator: Franz Borowitz. Suitable for children aged 4-8 years. ISBN: 1882388003 (40 Pages, Real Life Storybooks, January 1993) I Love My Brother by Connor Sullivan is perfect for young siblings and as a guide for helping preschool and kindergarten-aged students better understand their peers with autism. ISBN: 0970658117 (28 pages, Phat Art Four) Siblings of Children with Autism: A Guide for Families. A guide to understanding sibling relationships, how autism affects these relationships and what families can do to support their children as they cope with the intensive needs of a child with autism. Sandra Harris. (127 pages (September 1994) Woodbine House ISBN: 0933149719) Where can I find these books? Some titles may be available for lending from the EIIS Autism Team, or you may be able to find these books at your local library. The Provincial Autism Center, located in Halifax (1505 Barrington Street), carries over 200 titles, in print and video, on various topics related to Autistic Spectrum Disorders. The Provincial Autism Center can be reached by calling (902) 446-4995 or by email; library@autismcentre.ns.ca If you are interested in purchasing books, you may want to check with your local bookstore or contact "ParentBooks". ParentBooks carries many of these titles, as well as a comprehensive stock of books on ASD. ParentBooks may be reached toll free at 1-800-209-9182. Or visit them online at: http://www.parentbookstore.com Looking for additional readings? Visit these websites: http://www.autism-resources.com/books.html http://www.autism-resources.com/childrengenres/fiction.html http://www.autism.net http://www.autism.net/html/readinglist.html Surfing the Internet: World Wide Web The Internet can be a great source of information on all kinds of topics, including ASD. Once you begin searching the Internet you will quickly discover that the stream of information is practically endless. You will come across many claims related to ASD including; treatment options, solutions to problematic behaviours, definitions and even possible cures. However, not all online information is reliable. You will find that some individuals and organizations are very careful about the accuracy of the information they post, but others are not. Some even mislead on purpose. Anyone can post anything on the Internet; there are no rules. For this reason, it is important that you evaluate the information you find on the Internet. Ask yourself who created it and why? Is there evidence (research) to support the claims? Who has done the research? How long has it been? Do other credible individuals or organizations support the claim? Does it fit with other "best practices?" Use common sense and ask lots of questions. The following websites are provided for your information only*. They are a starting point for your search. *All information provided or published by Early Identification and Intervention Services (EIIS) is for informational purposes only. Reference to any treatment or therapy option or to any program, service, or treatment provider is not an endorsement by EIIS. Canadian Links: Autism Society Canada http://www.autismsocietycanada.ca Autism Treatment Services of Canada / Association Canadienne pour L'Obtention de Services aux Personnes Autistiques http://www.autism.ca Geneva Center for Autism http://www.autism.net Society for Treatment of Autism http://www.sta-ab.com Other Links: Autism Society of America http://www.autism-society.org The Autism Handbook is designed as an informational resource and is produced by the Center for Disabilities Autism and Related Disorders Program, Department of Pediatrics, The University of South Dakota School of Medicine. Printed copies are available by contacting EIIS. http://www.usd.edu/cd/autism/handbook.htm First Signs is dedicated to the early identification and intervention of children with developmental delays and disorders. http://www.firstsigns.org A beginners guide to starting out. http://www.bbbautism.com/beginners_contents.htm Activities to promote independence in individuals with special learning needs. http://www.do2learn.com List of various resources related to Autism. http://www.autism-resources.com DSM-IV Criteria, Pervasive Developmental Disorders 299.00 Autistic Disorder http://www.autism-biomed.org/dsm-iv.htm Cutting through the psychobabble: Diagnosing Autism and PDD-NOS per the DSM-IV in Layman's terms. http://www.bbbautism.com/diagnostics_psychobabble.htm

Christina Schulze-Allen - EIIS Regional Coordinator Western Regional CAYAC, P.O. Box 520, Middleton Nova Scotia, B0S 1P0 Email: csa.cyiwg@ns.sympatico.ca	Phone: (902) 825-5377   Fax: (902) 825-5379
Supported by Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre Technical Resource Centre