Everything parent's guide series.

Includes index

1. The world of autism -- What are autism spectrum disorders? -- Classical autism -- PDD-NOS -- Asperger's syndrome -- High-functioning autism -- Rett syndrome -- Other spectrum disorders -- 2. Diagnosis : ASD -- Age of onset -- Typical symptoms -- Your emotional reaction -- Autism awareness -- A national edidemic Possible causes -- 3. Other coexisting medical conditions -- Tourette's syndrome -- Obsessive-compulsive disorder -- Depression -- Bipolar disorder -- Seizures -- Hearing and auditory response -- Vision problems -- Other physical challenges -- Other mental challenges -- 4. Behaviors -- Obsessive-compulsive behaviors -- Flapping -- Anger and aggression -- Elopement, the escaping child -- 5. Communication -- The nonverbal person -- Lacking conceptual images -- Receptive speech -- Expressive speech -- Sign language -- Communication boards -- Other communication methods -- Additional social strategies -- 6. Meltdowns and discipline -- Discipline -- Autistic meltdowns vs. temper tantrums -- Handling a meltdown in public -- Defusing a meltdown -- Behavior modification -- Neurofeedback -- Medications -- 7. ASD and effects on the parents' marriage -- How mom is affected -- How dad is affected -- Keeping ASD from affecting the marriage -- Maintaining and creating intimacy -- Making your spouse a priority -- Children as a priority -- Valuing extended family -- Handling your work -- Friends, hobbies, and everything else -- 8. The single parent and the ASD child -- Unique challenges -- Working and caring for an ASD child -- Finding reliable day care -- dating and future relationships -- The possibility of a stepparent -- Concerns of moms -- Concerns of dads -- 9. ASD and the effects on siblings -- Older siblings -- Younger siblings -- Growing up too fast -- The isolated sibling -- The social impact of having an ASD sibling -- Considering future children --

10. ASD and the extended family -- Grandparents -- The unique in-law problem -- Other family members -- Celebrating family holidays -- Special occasions -- 11. Dealing with society -- Shopping -- School functions -- Restaurants -- Vacations -- 12. Starting school -- What you need to know about the law -- Integration and special education -- Individual educational programs -- Further education -- Bullying -- Parents' expectations -- 13. Child to teenager -- Physical changes of puberty -- Emotional changes of puberty -- Sexuality -- Menstruation -- Birth control -- Inappropriate behaviors -- 14. Life as an ASD adult -- Living independently -- Residential living -- Providing after you are gone -- Guardians -- Financial protection -- 15. Assistive techniques and technologies -- A mind like a computer -- Using computers for your child's benefit -- Hardware that helps -- Useful software -- Texting and other mobile communications -- Service dogs -- Other assistive devices -- Toys as learning tools -- 16. Challenging obstacles -- Communicating needs -- Illness -- Running away -- A missing child -- Safety concerns -- Toilet training -- 17. Intervention for ASD children -- Who's who among physicians -- Selecting the right physician -- The importance of qualified therapists -- Emerging treatment programs -- Diets and nutrition -- 18. Financial assistance -- Social security benefits -- Supplemental security income -- Medical coverage -- Creative financial assistance -- Respite care -- Custody issues -- 19. Support for parents -- The importance of support -- What is support? -- Finding the right support group -- Forming a support group -- Support on the Internet -- 20. The future of autism -- Struggling for unity -- The role of the individual -- Looking for answers -- The impact on society -- Awareness issues -- Appendix A. Glossary -- Appendix B. Additional resources