, CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Part 1: The Basics 5
Questions 1–12 provide background information for understanding autism, covering
such topics as:
■
What is autism?
■
What is the prognosis for children with autism?
Part 2: Diagnosing Autism 37
Questions 13–21 describe the symptoms of autism and discuss how autism is
diagnosed:
■
Are there risk factors for autism?
■
What are some symptoms a parent should look for?
■
How do doctors diagnose autism?
Part 3: Autism Crisis 63
Questions 22–27 address the controversy over the reported rising incidence rate of
autism, as well as the roles of vaccines and mercury:
■
What have studies found regarding vaccinations and autism?
■
What should a parent do about childhood immunizations?
■
Is mercury exposure dangerous?
Part 4: Autism Therapies and Treatments 81
Questions 28–35 describe the types of treatments available for autism and address the
challenges of evaluating treatment options:
■
How will I know if a new therapy is right for my child?
■
Are there therapies besides ABA that are useful?
Part 5: Medication and the Treatment of Autism 99
Questions 36–43 cover common symptoms, side effects, and complications of autism
and its treatment:
■
Are medications useful in treating the behavioral problems of autistic children?
■
What types of medications are used to treat autistic children?
■
How are anxiety and depression treated in an autistic person?
, 1 0 0 Q & A A B O U T A U T I S M
Part 6: Alternative Treatment for Autism 115
Questions 44–50 discuss complementary and alternative treatments for autism:
■
Is there any harm in trying unproven treatments on my child?
■
Are dietary interventions helpful to autistic children?
Part 7: State and Federal Entitlement Programs 131
Questions 51–59 address entitlement programs for disabled children:
■
What is SSI?
■
How does the government decide if a child is disabled?
■
What health care services are available to my child?
Part 8: Caring for Your Child After You’re Gone 147
Questions 60–69 discuss wills, trusts, and guardianship:
■
What is a will?
■
What is a special needs trust?
■
What is guardianship?
Part 9: Education of Autistic Children 161
Questions 70–79 discuss educational resources available for autistic children:
■
What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act?
■
What is special education?
■
How do I choose the best special education program for my child?
Part 10: Living with Autism 183
Questions 80–94 address the challenges of daily life with an autistic child:
■
What are some tips for parenting kids with autism?
■
How can I help my other children form a relationship with their autistic sibling?
■
How do I make my home safe for my autistic child?
Part 11: Stress 219
Questions 95–99 discuss coping with the stress of autism:
■
What are some ways that parents can reduce their stress?
■
What can I do about my children’s stress?
Appendix 233
Question 100 is a list of web sites, organizations, and literature to help families
of autistic people find additional resources on general and specific topics related
to autism.
Glossary 243
Index 255
vi
, PART I
The Basics
What is autism?
What is the prognosis for
children with autism?
Introduction 1
Part 1: The Basics 5
Questions 1–12 provide background information for understanding autism, covering
such topics as:
■
What is autism?
■
What is the prognosis for children with autism?
Part 2: Diagnosing Autism 37
Questions 13–21 describe the symptoms of autism and discuss how autism is
diagnosed:
■
Are there risk factors for autism?
■
What are some symptoms a parent should look for?
■
How do doctors diagnose autism?
Part 3: Autism Crisis 63
Questions 22–27 address the controversy over the reported rising incidence rate of
autism, as well as the roles of vaccines and mercury:
■
What have studies found regarding vaccinations and autism?
■
What should a parent do about childhood immunizations?
■
Is mercury exposure dangerous?
Part 4: Autism Therapies and Treatments 81
Questions 28–35 describe the types of treatments available for autism and address the
challenges of evaluating treatment options:
■
How will I know if a new therapy is right for my child?
■
Are there therapies besides ABA that are useful?
Part 5: Medication and the Treatment of Autism 99
Questions 36–43 cover common symptoms, side effects, and complications of autism
and its treatment:
■
Are medications useful in treating the behavioral problems of autistic children?
■
What types of medications are used to treat autistic children?
■
How are anxiety and depression treated in an autistic person?
, 1 0 0 Q & A A B O U T A U T I S M
Part 6: Alternative Treatment for Autism 115
Questions 44–50 discuss complementary and alternative treatments for autism:
■
Is there any harm in trying unproven treatments on my child?
■
Are dietary interventions helpful to autistic children?
Part 7: State and Federal Entitlement Programs 131
Questions 51–59 address entitlement programs for disabled children:
■
What is SSI?
■
How does the government decide if a child is disabled?
■
What health care services are available to my child?
Part 8: Caring for Your Child After You’re Gone 147
Questions 60–69 discuss wills, trusts, and guardianship:
■
What is a will?
■
What is a special needs trust?
■
What is guardianship?
Part 9: Education of Autistic Children 161
Questions 70–79 discuss educational resources available for autistic children:
■
What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act?
■
What is special education?
■
How do I choose the best special education program for my child?
Part 10: Living with Autism 183
Questions 80–94 address the challenges of daily life with an autistic child:
■
What are some tips for parenting kids with autism?
■
How can I help my other children form a relationship with their autistic sibling?
■
How do I make my home safe for my autistic child?
Part 11: Stress 219
Questions 95–99 discuss coping with the stress of autism:
■
What are some ways that parents can reduce their stress?
■
What can I do about my children’s stress?
Appendix 233
Question 100 is a list of web sites, organizations, and literature to help families
of autistic people find additional resources on general and specific topics related
to autism.
Glossary 243
Index 255
vi
, PART I
The Basics
What is autism?
What is the prognosis for
children with autism?
