Empowering parents and carers of children with autism to sort fact from fiction

Empowering parents and carers of children with autism to sort fact from fiction

10 May 2015, 11:04AM
Exisle Publishing

Unlike depictions in popular fiction, (think X+Y, Rain Man, and Mercury Rising), which might leave us imagining all people with autism as card-counting, code-breaking savants, the lived experience of children with autism and their families is widely varied, with needs changing at each age and stage.

What families of children with autism do have in common is the need for understanding unshackled from stereotype, and clear, non-judgemental, trusted information.

“A decade or so ago a diagnosis of autism would leave a parent bewildered and
isolated. Now the problem is not so much a lack of information as a plethora of information, much of which is, in fact, misinformation”, says Professor Jordan, Emeritus Professor in Autism Studies, University of Birmingham. Professor Jordan welcomes Understanding Autism as a tool to help parents cut through the clutter and regain control over choosing what is best for them and their child.

Written by two leading experts in the field, Understanding Autism is the essential reference for parents and carers of children with autism, and explores everything from the causes of autism to how it manifests at the various ages and stages of a child’s life. Drawing on the authors’ years of clinical experience as well as the latest research, it also covers the importance of self-care for parents, how to cope with common problematic behaviours, conditions that can often appear in conjunction with autism (such as anxiety and depression), common health issues, and how best to manage the child’s transition to adulthood.

Case studies provide practical examples for parents and their families, empowering them to deal with professionals, cope with the stresses they face, and better understand their young person’s autism. The authors’ warm, supportive voice reassures parents throughout, sorting fact from myth, empowering parents to assess the relevance and credibility of new information so they can focus on strategies that are most likely to offer the best outcomes for their children.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Professor Katrina Williams is the Chair of Developmental Medicine at Melbourne University and the Director of the Department of Developmental Medicine at the Royal Children’s Hospital. She was the inaugural president of the Australasian Society for Autism Research.
Professor Jacqueline Roberts is the chair of autism at the Autism Centre of Excellence. Prior to this, she worked as a consultant on a variety of national projects in autism. She is a member of the executive committee of Australasian Society for Autism Research.She was born in Christchurch and now lives in Queensland.

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