Getting the Best for Your Child with Autism: An Expert's Guide to Treatment

As the parent of a child with an autism spectrum disorder, you need an informed, caring advocate who can deftly guide you through the complex maze of treatment options. In this empowering resource, bestselling author Bryna Siegel--one of the world’s leading authorities on the disorder--helps you zero in on proven strategies and tailor them to fit your child’s unique needs. Like no other book, Getting the Best for Your Child with Autism shows how to get an accurate assessment of your child’s strengths and weaknesses so you can develop a plan of action suited to his or her individual learning style, interests, verbal abilities, and social skills. You’ll learn what services you’re entitled to, how to determine what’s right for your family, and ways to work effectively with doctors and school professionals. With Dr. Siegel as your ally, you can help your child learn and grow.

Table of Contents:
Introduction I. Mapping the Road to the Best Treatment: How to Get a Thorough Diagnosis 1. Off to a Good Start: Timely Screening Will Set You on the Path to Help 2. Getting Your Footing: What a Diagnosis Can (and Should) Do for You and Your Child 3. Setting a Course: Navigating the Diagnostic Process to Emerge with a Plan II. Outfitting Yourself to Help Your Child 4. The Balanced Family: Adjust Your Own Face Mask before Attempting to Help Others 5. Becoming an Informed Consumer: Getting Your Personal Best in Services and Providers III. Putting It Together: Matching Your Child's Learning Needs with the Treatments That Can Help 6. Learning Deficits, Learning Styles: What Does Your Child Need? 7. Core Treatments for Autism: Which Interventions Will Meet Your Child's Needs? 8. The Customized Course: Additional Strategies That Target Specific Needs IV. On the Road: Getting Out There to Get What You Need 9. Navigating the Legal Byways: Entitlements That Foster Learning, Kathryn E. Dobel 10. Sharing the Driving: The Rights and Responsibilities of a Collaborative Parent Resources

About the Author :
Bryna Siegel, PhD, is Director of the Autism Clinic and Co-Director of the Autism and Neurodevelopment Research Center at the University of California, San Francisco. She has worked with children with autism and their families for 25 years, and has developed diagnostic tools and guidelines used by professionals nationwide. Dr. Siegel is an active lecturer and consultant whose previous books include the bestselling The World of the Autistic Child.

Review :
'If you know or suspect that your child has autism, this book is a great resource. Dr. Siegel takes you on the journey from first diagnosis to finding treatments that meet your child's unique needs, and explains the critical role that parents can play. An excellent, timely, and compelling guide. Although it is written for parents, the book also will be extremely useful for practitioners.' - "Debra Moss, MA, Autism Specialist, Los Angeles Unified School District, USA " 'The sheer number of 'expert opinions' on autism treatment - not all of them trustworthy - can be overwhelming to parents. This book provides a road map of masterful clarity. Dr. Siegel draws upon her research and clinical experience with thousands of families, intermingling this experience with wonderful common sense, humor, and empathy, all in a very readable style. Every parent of a child with autism will benefit from reading this book.' - "Peter S. Jensen, MD, Director, The REACH Institute (The REsource for Advancing Children's Health), New York City, USA" 'Dr. Siegel's book is a 'must-have' resource for families dealing with autism spectrum disorders. This scientifically based roadmap will help you not only to navigate the confusing sea of autism-related literature, but also to nourish the particular learning style of your child.' -" Brian Ruder, parent and board president, Jumpstart Learning to Learn " 'This book draws on Dr. Siegel's wonderful conceptual understanding of the learning styles and social and emotional difficulties of children with autism, and translates it into very practical suggestions for parents. She doesn't promise cures, but she understands the value of hope and optimism. The book provides a balanced picture of what treatments are available, what is needed, what is realistic, and how to help your child effectively.' -" Gary B. Mesibov, PhD, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology and Director, Division TEACHH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA" 'All parents want to do the best for their children, and this indispensable book shows how, step by step. Autism and its treatment are very complex, but Dr. Siegel's experience and accessible style make the issues crystal clear. She distills the vast amount of information that is out there for parents and separates the good advice from the bad. This book is a beacon of sanity and reassurance for any family navigating these stormy waters.' -" Ami Klin, PhD, Director, Autism Program, Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, USA"