Product Description

Over 500,000 people of all ages in the UK have disorders in the autistic spectrum. About one-third also have varying degrees of learning difficulty. All of them have impairment of social interaction, communication and imagination - to them the world appears a bewildering and sometimes frightening place. This guide explains how people with autism experience the world and why they need an organized, structured environment. Ways of improving communication, developing abilities and enlarging social interaction are described, and advice is given on coping with stresses within the family.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9782 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review
'A basic text for all professionals working in the field as well as for parents.' - Judith Gould, The Centre for Social and Communication Disorders

From the Author
This book is a basic introduction to the field of autistic spectrum disorders. It is primarily aimed at parents who have learnt that their son or daughter has an autistic condition but it would also be useful for professional workers who are beginning to work in this area. I hope that some people who know, or suspect, that they may have an autistic spectrum disorder would find it helpful.

The first part of the book describes in some detail the development from infancy and the pattern of skills and behaviour that can be seen in autistic disorders. Although there are many variations, autistic spectrum disorders have in common problems affecting socal interaction, communication and the develoment of imagination, associated with a narrow and repetitive pattern of interests and activities. I have described in some detail the many different forms that these problems can take. In the second part of the book, I have suggested ways of helping children and adults with autistic spectrum disorders cope with everyday life.

Being both a parent of a grown-up daughter with typical autism and a professional working in the field, I feel I have the advantage of seeing both points of view. I have tried to write in plain English without jargon and to tell it like it is.

About the Author
I qualified medicine in 1952 and then trained in psychiatry. I first worked as a clinician and then in research. Because of the experience of having a daughter with typical autism I became involved with research in developmental disorders, especially autistic spectrum disorders. During this time, I joined with a group of other parents. Together, we became founder members of the National Autistic Society. After retiring from full time work 12 years ago, I became consultant to the National Autistic Society’s Centre for Social and Communication Disorders. I still work there part time, being mainly involved with training professional workers in understanding and diagnosing autistic spectrum disorders but I also see some children and adults with their families for diagnosis and assessment. My experiences as a parent, a clinician, a research worker, a member of the National Autistic Society and my local Sussex Autistic Society, and the many opportunities for exchanging ideas with other parents have been invaluable in helping me to write this book.

Customer Reviews

The Autistic Spectrum
We have learnt more, through reading this book, than we have from any other source of information relating to autism. The most important aspect of this book is allowing others an insight into the condition wihtout creating fear and most importantly it allowed us to realise, we are not alone.

Excellently written, easy reading and a thoroughly educational insight into autism.

Too negative
The first half of this book is very interesting and tells you a lot about what to expect from an autistic child (I read it because my son has symptoms of autism). Unfortunately the book goes on to predict a depressing future for autistic adults which really got me down, and for this reason I recommend you don't read it as a first guide to autism.

There are plenty of more positive, practical books which explain autism and also give you ways to coax your child out of his autistic world and set him on a path to a more 'regular' life (eg 'Playing laughing and learning with children on the autism spectrum'). Read such books as these alongside Lorna Wing's and her book will be less depressing.

Don't read this book first...
Informative book for the establishment view of autism and the current educational context, but despite the authority of the author, the book comes over as overly negative and seems to downplay the progress possible with intensive early intervention, and issues like dietary intervention. A book which might dishearten parents of newly diagnosed children, who would otherwise have made a go of it...