Autism affects more than 1 million children and adults in the United States, and parents are often baffled and distressed by the behavior of autistic children. This book provides help–and hope–by explaining the differences between various types of autism and delivering the lowdown on the latest physical, speech, and nutritional therapies. Featuring inspiring autism success stories as well as a directory of autism treatment facilities and other resources, it offers practical advice on how to educate autistic children as well as insights on how to cope with autistic fixations and behavior problems.

Linda Rastelli (Chatham, NJ) is a veteran journalist who has written on various health topics. Jeff Bradstreet, MD, FAAFP (Palm Bay, FL), is Director of Research for the International Autism Research Center and has a son with autism. Temple Grandin, PhD (Fort Collins, CO), suffers from autism and is the author of Thinking in Pictures and Emergence: Labeled Autistic.

Customer Reviews Average rating - 5.0

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-11-29
Content: This book was a blessing to me when I found out my son was diagnosed with Autism. It helped out so much with basic information and were to actually get help. The book also answered questions I did not even think about asking.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an Autistic child/friend/love one to better help in undertanding what Autism is and how you can help.
Summary: Great basic Autism read

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-06-29
Content: They should give you this book when you get your diagnosis. Seriously! It was the first book I bought on Autism. It's a great place to dive in to Autism. It covers everything from Meds, IEPs, Schooling, Adult programs, everything you NEED to know on the subject. I would recommend it to anyone!
Summary: They should give you this book when you get your diagnosis

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-06-05
Content: This publication is well written using simple language which has made it easy to understand.

The publication has a variety of strategies which can be implemented to help reduce the stress that is often associated with working with people who have autism.

Good read for anyone who is interested in autism
Summary: Great read

Rating - 4 Date: 2008-04-05
Content: In my opinion this is a very useful book for parents, but not as complete and exhaustive as a teacher (as myself) would need. That's why I'm giving it 4 stars and not 5. Easy to read, and complete as far as parents are concerned.
Summary: Highly useful for parents

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-03-27
Content: The Dummies folks have once again put together a great general resource. It provides a good baseline for understanding autism. Another book I found very helpful--and more specific as to curing this disorder--is He's Not Autistic But...: How We Pulled Our Son From the Mouth of the Abyss.
Summary: Dummies does it again!