My daughter and I are looking for book(s) that offer clear, concise information about ASD, particularly Aspergers and it's diagnosis. My 7 yo grandson is now in an alternative school because he's having behavioral issues related to ASD and ADHD. The professionals seem to be uncertain about making a specific diagnosis. We've done a lot of research and found some good info but would like to know if any other moms have favorite books.
Edit: Many helpful answers. Although he's been seen by school officials and a private developmental psychologist and team he has no diagnosis. Just that he's somewhere on the ASD spectrum to maybe not. She's told we just don't know what's going on when his mother asks for a diagnosis. He has delayed speech and is still not speaking clearly tho he understands speech. He's affectionate but doesn't recognize personal space. He's also very high energy and runs into things and people. (boundary issues) He loves to play with kids but is socially immature. He can be easily angered, especially when asked to do something he doesn't want to do. He has meltdowns and refuses to co-operate to the point of hitting and throwing things. He has "guys" who are imaginary friends that he believes are real. He talks and plays with them.
He's much better since on new medication (Risperdal) and in the alternative school which provides therapy. He continues to see a private developmental psychiatrist and has weekly occupational therapy paid by insurance. He's on the waiting list for private speech therapy. He's getting better slowly. We keep wondering if there is something else we can do.
My grandson does have an IEP and is in an alternative (treatment focused) school in the school district.
By any chance did you grandson get an EIP. This is a program via the public school that is suppose to help.
My son was diagnosed PDD-NOS in 2009. Even before the diagnosis I knew that would be what his diagnosis was as I saw some red flags and started reading books. I realize you are asking for the names of those specific books and I can't think of one specific name. Unfortunately I cannot think of any of the names right now!!! I will say however I would go to the library and look up any of the books that seemed to relate to ASD's - I soaked up the information and read as many as possible. Actually, I was told by a family member I was obsessed with my sons diagnosis - this offended me as it's not that I was simply obsessed - I wanted to learn how my son thought and what I could do to not only understand him better but help him understand us.
My son is now 4 and has been in a special ed preschool since he was 3. Prior to that he received services through Illinois early intervention program. When he first started (1.5) it was thought he just had speech delay due to chronic ear infections - as we got closer to 3 realized there was more to it. My son would have major meltdowns and be completely defiant = even if we suggested something he loved he'd refuse as it was suggested by us.
I don't know if this is relatable to you - this is just a scratch of the surface of my sons behavioral problems.... I will say however once he started receiving services and through his preschool once his speech and understanding started progressing the less we'd see the terrible behaviors. We still have our days!
Sorry I didn't answer your specific question but wanted to respond to you as I know the diagnosis sometimes makes one feel alienated (as a parent and the child with the diagnosis).
Hopefully one of these books or resources will help you.
Books and Sources for Autism
Speaker at convention on 8/5/09 was Laurence Becker
Gluten-Free and Casein Diet
Unraffling the Mystery of Autism
Overuse of Antibiotics can cause Autism
David Kerby – Evidence of Harm
Beautiful Mind
Ann Millian – Autism: Believe in the Future
NVIC.com – National Vaccine
Fox.searchlight.com/adam
www.autismathome.com
Andrew’s Story (book)
Autism.com
Kim Lesso Book on autism – I wish my kids had cancer
The Unhealthy Truth – the Diet – I believe the author is Robyn O’Brien – I believe she said 1/3 of autistic children have autism because of diet.
The Missing ingredient – Lee Euler (EZ Gest and Optiflora)
She does phone consults
Also, I have excellent resources so I can help you with information
Excellent doctor for Austim, diabetes, candida, etc, etc.
Dr. Sandra Bevacqua – World Integrated Systems in Health – WISH
Tuscon, Arizona – ###-###-####
The University of Oregon in Eugene has an autism training program to help parents and the child with the with autism and aspergers.
Yes he has imaginary friends. They are his spirit guides. Go to Powell's or call them to see if they have Angels and Companions in Spirit a practical down to earth book about spirit guides that has been in print for 27 years and is translated into dozens of languages.
We want him to enter our world but we have to understand how close he is to the spiritual world.
He's a very smart child as most autistic kids are. My niece has it and she cannot write with her hand but can use the computer. She is advanced in her speech and reading skills but not mature emotionally.
Try this website which I stay in good contact with about breakthoughs in autism and aspergers.
The Autism File Team <____@____.com>
With my niece we've used a few really good homeopathic remedies to help her with her development.
Do not rely totally on experts who can lead you down fox holes where they've gotten stuck themselves.
Do your own research. He will develop and be able to function in our society. He may have friends and he might even be able to have loving relationships with the proper training and learning to read other people's facial expressions and body language.
I have a son with a PDD diagnosis, although he's not autistic. That diagnosis just seemed to fit best the last time he was assessed. There are so many labels and so much confusion these days! I would highly recommend that you get The Mislabled Child by Drs. Eide (http://tinyurl.com/2vjp7bw). It goes through every learning issue, other issues they look like, how to diagnose and how to help.
Your nephew's lack of awareness about personal space and running into things could very well be a sensory or vestibular issue. Our son had that in spades, and listening therapies seem to have helped the most. AIT and Enlisten had dramatic results for him. He's still doing Enlisten, but just in the last 4 months we've seen a huge calming of his personality. He's 8.
It's all a process, and research is key. While "experts" will tell you what is going on and give it a label, that label can change with time. Treat the symptoms, not the label.
HTH,
B.
M. - have you guys checked your local library? That might be a great way to "try it before you buy it." Sometimes I even scan the book store first and then go to the library and request the book if it's not there.
My personal favorite is "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics . . ." by Kenneth Bock, M.D. and Cameron Stauth. Caveat: this book focuses on the physical side of many common childhood disorders (adhd, asthma, allergies, autism, diabetes . . .). You may be looking for a different perspective than that one (though it certainly is interesting and we've had success with some of the book's approaches).
Good luck - he's a luckly little guy to have mom and grandma working so hard for him. :)
So they are classifying him as PDD-NOS?
that is usually what they say, when not being sure or if it borderline.
My friend's son, is classified as PDD-NOS.
Because, he does not have the clear and concise typical symptoms of Autism or Aspergers. But, has 'some' symptoms.
He is real borderline.... Aspie.
Great kid.
He's 7 as well.
He has an Aide with him in school. Public school.
Anyway, research specifically "PDD-NOS" in kids.
And here is a link for you with books/DVD's:
http://www.hopelightmedia.com/main/parent-resources-for-p...
And some other links for you:
http://www.aspergers-and-pdd.com/what-is-aspergers-syndro...
http://www.americanaspergers.org/
all the best,
Susan
I would look online and find the association advocating for people with Aspergers. We belong to CHADD, which focuses on ADHD, and they've been a great source of neutral, factual information.
You have to be very careful about what's out there because there's a lot of garbage related to these types of conditions. I've found associations to be the best starting point in getting reliable information.
One book I read was Parenting your Asperger child : individualized solutions for teaching your child practical skills by Alan Sohn and Cathy Grayson. It's been over a year since I read it, but it seemed so helpful at the time that I gave a copy to my son's teacher. Another book I liked was Quirky kids : understanding and helping your child who doesn't fit in-- when to worry and when not to worry by Perri Klass and Eileen Costello.
The Autism for Dummies book has been my favorite so far for explaining what autism is and the various ways it presents itself. It's a pretty easy read. I always thought that the diagnostic criteria ASD and Asperger's was pretty straight forward. How comfortable are you and your daughter with these professional's abilities in making the diagnosis? Or is it just that your grandson's symptoms put it more into a gray area?
In any event, I hope that you can get the information you need and that your grandson will be able to get the services that are appropriate for him.
My 8 year old has been formally diagnosed with Asperger's. We got him the book Can I Tell You About Asperger Syndrome?: A Guide for Friends and Family, and we read it together. While it is unlikely that your grandson will fit all the descriptions in the book, it is a nice way to show him that he is not alone in this. My son actually thought he was the only child in the world with this diagnosis until we really started talking about it! Good luck! My son and I are fortunate to have my mom helping us on this challenging journey and her support has made a HUGE difference for both of us.
I was hoping you could give an update to this situation. I'm curious if you've been able to "join his world" in some way or if he still has his imaginary friends.
Hi M.
You sent me a flower so I was just trying to remember if I responded to you specifically on anything in particular when I came across your question. I just needed to respond to your question about whether there is anything else for you grandson. If you are still looking, I do know there is something else. I know you don't know me and there are alot of claims of things out there but I just wanted to pass a phone number along. We help people just like your grandson and so many others looking for answers to their health. We are a group of people just helping others and the way we do that is share the experience we experienced and because so many get overwhelmed with phone calls we record our story to share with others to give them hope.
Tami's story is powerful and want to share it with you. It is recorded so you can listen and decide for yourself if you want to learn more about what I am willing to share with you. 1-###-###-#### pin 2863#
A longer live story call that was recorded recently is very good too but is much longer :) If you are interested you can listen to it as well. 1-###-###-#### Pin 876529# Ref. number #
M., if you decide that you want to learn more send me an email and maybe we can talk over the phone.
God Bless,
L. O
My son also has many of these symptoms. We are awaiting evaluation so i cant give you much advice on that but I agree with the other moms about getting literature- you can never read up on it too much in my opinion. My son just recently turned 3 and has limited speech therapy and spec. ed and has already improved so much but they are really hoping for a referral from this dr to increase amounts of speech therapy and add occupational as well. Wish i could give more advice rather than just relating! Melissa's comment is pretty much exactly what i would say and the same as our situation. It makes me so happy to see that so many kids are improving their condition and I hope this for your grandson to the fullest! Good luck!
Hi I just read your question...I wanna to mention something that I been doing with my son that he also is autistic ....we been doing GFCF diet and also biometrical treatment...he has improve 75% ...is been a bless...if you need any information let me know
bye now
