Reading About ASD
Find a Conversation
Reading About ASD
| Tue, 11-22-2005 - 3:47am |
I saw the earlier thread on reading books. I read a ton of them! It makes my husband crazy.
I was in Barnes and Noble tonight and saw a new book "The Autism Sourcebook". It looked really good, but then the darn closing announcement came on and I didn't get to read much of it. Has anyone read it?
How about the Autism/Asperger's Digest. Does anyone subscribe? It is pricey, and I don't want to subscribe unless it is great.
I just read "A Real Boy" and I enjoyed it. Although it was a "recovery" story, what I liked was reading how another family dealt with the inevitable ups and downs of life with a special needs child.
Chrissy

THere is a new book out that my husband just bought that is supposed to be incredible, BUT I think he brought it to work and I can't find the name of it anywhere. It is supposed to be the next installment after "Educating Children with Autism" which was put out by the National Academy of Science in 2001.
There are all kinds of books on autism. I guess it would depend on what you want to read right at this time. Is there particular things you want to learn about to implement strategies at home? Or do you want to read about other peoples experiences? If you want to read about experiences do you want it to be first hand from an adult with ASD or from the perspective of a parent?
Autism/Asperger's digest - I don't subscribe only because of the cost. It has some good stuff but I have been able to find much of the same info online. If it was 20-30 a year I would likely get it. I have paid 50 in the past for scientific journals but this isn't a scientific journal and I don't pay that anymore for journals. Lots of those articles you can get online as well and pay by the article.
ASQ (autism spectrum quaterly) is a little more reasonable but I don't know how it is on a regular basis. I think Val gets it. I know she was published in it. She could tell you if it is worth the cost.
There is always our free ezine which currently has articles from adults, other parents, reviews of books, etc. We are already working on the next issue which already will have 10+ new articles ranging from IEP informations, to adult aspie husbands.
For from a parents perspective I honestly loved "Finding Ben". Ben is about my age now and this is the story of his mom and life and her acceptance in the days before Aspergers was even diagnosed. I am dying to read "Elijah's Cup". Another good one is "Raising Blaze". I believe Blaze would now be about a senior in highshool or so.
From a personal perspective I liked Donna Williams books. Nobody Nowhere was the first book I ever read on autism and was way before we knew we had children with ASD. I was working with autistics and I think preggers with Cait or she was a baby when I first read it. Donna is more classic autistic, but now high functioning. She referrs to herself as the "naughty autie" lol. She is a kick. Warning, she did not have an easy life.
If your child ever has meltdowns or rage attacks "Asperger syndrome and difficult moments" is a MUST read. If you child has sensory issues "Asperger syndrome and sensory issues" is another must read. Both of these are regardless of whether the diagnosis is autism, AS or PDD or ADHD. The tips and the way they talk about the rage cycle and sensory issues are helpful to all parents of slightly different children.
For social and language issues, Michelle Garcia-Winner is a must particularly for school aged HFA/AS/PDD types. For younger kids or kids who are a bit more classic, Pamela Wolfberg's books on play and social skills are great. Of course, Pamela's books were recomended for Cait when she was in 2nd grade with some modifications to the program so it can be used for HFA school aged kids too.
Hmm, those are some of my favorites off the top of my head. Oh and Jerry newport, ok I will stop. Can you tell I have been at this a while and I haven't read 1/2 the books out there.
Renee
ACK, and how can I forget.
For general overviews of autism and aspergers
Autism spectrum disorders - by chantal Sicile-Kira
PDD-NOS Getting a diagnosis and finding help(the name may have changed or be a bit different than that) - by Mitzi Waltz (search by author)
Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome (revised edition)
Hi,
Someone gave me The Autism Sourcebook.