Resources and Materials for Parents

 

 

Early Childhood

 

Books/Articles:

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew By: Ellen Notbohm

This book describes ten characteristics that help illuminate—not define—children with autism.

Here are the ten things every child with autism wishes you knew from the book:

1. I am a child.

2.  My senses are out of sync.

3.  Distinguish between won’t (I choose not to) and can’t (I am not able to).

4.  I’m a concrete thinker. I interpret language literally.

5.  Listen to all the ways I’m trying to communicate.

6.  Picture this! I’m visually oriented.

7.  Focus and build on what I can do rather than what I can’t do.

8.  Help me with social interactions.

9.  Identify what triggers my meltdowns.

10.  Love me unconditionally.

 

 

 

 

Children with Autism: A Parent's Guide By: Michael D. Powers (2000)

This book is for new parents coping with a child's recent diagnosis and one, who's an experienced advocate. It covers special concerns, including daily and family life, early intervention, educational programs, legal rights, advocacy, and a look at the years ahead with a chapter on adults with autism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Websites/Videos:

 

Click on the image below to view the webpage:

 

 

 

 

 

 

AutismBeacon was founded by Brenda Kosky Deskin in response to her life experiences as the parent of a child with autism. This webpage was created to make it easier for parents to find Autism-related information, services and resources. This video helps to explain the ideas behind the website. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This video provides families with real experiences and advice for those who have children with autism. Parents share their stories about the early years when raising children with autism. It helps parents dealing with the challenges and provides answers to the many questions that arise during the journey from autism diagnosis to treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle Childhood

 

 

 

Books/Articles:

 

The Advocacy Tool Kit resource book helps both individuals on the spectrum and their families develop and use critical advocacy skills in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.  The goal of this tool kit is to provide a basic knowledge of advocacy and negotiation skills. The kit will show how to apply these skills to different situations throughout the lifespan of an individual with autism. The information in this kit has been provided by experts in the field who have both professional and personal experience with advocacy and autism.

The Advocacy Tool Kit is divided into the following sections:

• The ABC's of Basic Advocacy and Negotiation Skills

• Learning the Skills

• School Advocacy

• Autism Advocacy in the Community: A Parent Perspective

• Community Advocacy

• Learning the Language of Self-Advocacy

• Resources

 

 

 

 

 

Autism Breakthrough: The Groundbreaking Method That Has Helped Families All Over the World By: Raun K. Kaufman (2014)

This book provides a step-by-step guide with clear, practical strategies that parents can apply immediately.  Parents will be able to see changes in their children in as little as one day. This book makes it possible for these special children to defy their original often-very-limited prognoses. Parents and educators will learn how to allow their children to create meaningful, caring relationships, increase their communication, and participate in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Websites/Videos:

 

Click the link below to view the webpage:

http://autismweb.com/

AutismWeb™: A Parent's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder

AutismWeb.com is a community of parents interested in autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) and Asperger Syndrome. If you are concerned about your child's or development check out this sites’ Warning Signs, What's Autism and PDD and What's Asperger's? 

 

 

 

Click the image below to view the webpage: 

 

 

 

 

 

This website provides resources and advice to parents on helping their child through the learning process at home. Some suggestions it offers are: set measure goals, know the learning style of your child, talk to teachers and therapists, make a plan, track progress, and reward achievements. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adolscent Young Adult

 

 

 

Books/Articles: 

 

 

The Parent's Guide to College for Students on the Autism Specturm By: Jane Thierfeld Brown, Lorraine E. Wolf, Lisa King, & G. Ruth Kukiela Bork

This book is a parent-friendly book, written by parents, who also are autism professionals, takes the fear and mystery out of the college experience. You will learn how to select the right campus, how to work with Disability Services staff, what legal protections apply, how to prepare your son or daughter to be an effective self-advocate on campus, what assistance can be reasonably be expected from residence hall managers, faculty, and much more. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autism Spectrum Disorders: What Every Parent Needs to Know By: Alan I. Rosenblatt (2012)

This book is a resource for parents and caregivers of children who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This book helps parents understand how ASDs are defined and diagnosed and provides you with information on the most current types of behavioral and developmental therapies. It also helps parents understand what they can do to help promote a smooth transition from adolescence through the teen years and into adulthood.

Topics include:

• Symptoms, frequency, and types of ASDs

• Accessing care

• Services in the community

• Tapping into educational resources

• Behavioral and developmental treatment

• The role of complementary and alternative medicine

• Screening tools

• Adolescence and beyond

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Websites/Videos:

 

 

This website provides a multitude of resources for parents who are raising children with autism. Within the website you can find related articles, blogs, advice, and videos.  Click on the link below to view the website.

http://www.parents.com/videos/s?&q=autism

 

 

 

 

 

 

Healing Thresholds is a free website dedicated to healing the lives of families touched by autism. They provide comprehensive therapy fact sheets, daily updates of autism therapy research and news, and a global directory of autism-related therapists and services. Click on the image to visit the webpage. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizations: 

 

 

Click on the images to visit the webpages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autism Speaks purpose is to provides a comprehensive resource guide for all states. Their goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.  Autism Speaks also wants to bring the autism community together as one strong voice to urge the government and private sector to listen to our concerns and take action to address this urgent global health crisis. They believe that, working together will help to find the missing pieces of the puzzle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The mission of the National Autism Association is to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential. The National Autism Association’s purpose is to create and implement direct-assistance programs for the growing number of families affected by autism. Along with these services, NAA provides autism research funding, ongoing advocacy, support and education.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autism Society’s mission is to improve the lives of all affected by autism. The Autism Society is the leading voice and resource of the entire autism community in education, advocacy, services, research and support. The Autism Society’s purpose is to be committed to meaningful participation and self-determination in all aspects of life for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. The Autism Society accomplishes its ongoing mission through close collaboration with a successful network of affiliates, members and supporters.

The development of five “core competencies” as a means to implement the Autism Society’s Mission and Vision is proposed in the Autism Society’s new strategic plan. Those areas include:

• Advocacy

• Education

• Support

• Services

• Research