Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Other ASDs

I am a graduate student doing research on autism, and this book provided a fantastic amount of information. It covers the history, symptoms, treatments, how to look for help, provides numerous websites and other resources, and was invaluable to my work. Out of the ten books on autism that I have read, this one is the best.

This book is directed especially toward parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Chantal Sicile-Kira's goal is to save parents "countless hours of precious time and heartache" by sharing what she has learned navigating through the various systems. She has an autistic child of her own and she knows the ropes having spent "tens of thousands of hours" learning about autism and the treatments and interventions available, and how the various support and governmental groups and organizations work. She begins by debunking myths about autism while providing a little history including some sharp commentary about Bruno Bettelheim, the psychotherapist who thought that autism was caused by "refrigerator mothers" of cold affect who pushed their children into emotional isolation. She emphasizes that autism is a "spectrum disorder" that is becoming more and more prevalent without a clear etiology. She follows this with a chapter explaining what ASDs are and "How to Know If a Person Has One." She addresses herself to parents who have absolutely no experience with autism, parents who have no idea what to do or how to feel. In Chapter 3 she looks into the causes and attempts to explain why people with ASDs act the way they do. Then she guides parents to what to expect and what to do after a diagnosis of autism. In Chapter 5 she comments on treatments, therapies, and interventions. What Sicile-Kira does so well is to make the reader understand and appreciate what it is like to be a parent of an autistic child, what family life can be like with siblings, what the educational prospects are, how one fits into the community and what the future may hold. Autism spectrum disorders are becoming better and better understood all the time, and there is even a school of thought that suggests that, in their milder forms, to look for a "cure" may be a misdirection because many autistics have a unique and valuable way of viewing the world and living life. This is a personal book, but it is also a professional book. There is an appendix giving "Parent Ratings of Behavioral Effects of Biomedical Interventions": which drugs have or have not been effective, how non-drug supplements have or have not helped, and the effect of special diets. There is a section on "Resources," including ASD-Specific Organizations, general organizations, governmental agencies, books; and there's a bibliography. If you want an introduction to autism and the world of autism from a parental and a professional point of view, this is an excellent place to start.

Ms. Sicile-Kira really addresses issues that are on the minds of many folks seeking to find answers and essential resources regarding ASD. As a parent of a fourteen year old son with autism I have read many books and resources to assist us with our quest to find what will help our child best live with his disorder. This book is an easy read, full of loads of helpful information, and also comes from a parent and professional that has seen the system from the inside. It's a very valuable resource and I can understand why it won the Autism Society of America's Literary Work of the Year honors for 2005. I'd urge parents and professionals to make the investment in this book to further their knowledge of ASD and resources available. Thank-you too to Ms. Sicile-Kira for taking the time to write such a comprehensive book. Five stars all the way. Carolyn Gammicchia

As a teacher of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, I have found Sicile-Kira's book to be an excellent resource for parents, peers, service providers, administrators, and classroom volunteers. It provides practical information and a variety of resources for anyone who teaches, works with, or knows someone with ASD. Sicile-Kira does a great job of defining and explaining autism related terms and concepts in a user-friendly manner. The book is illustrated with many experiences from her own life and the lives of individuals with ASD. This book alone is a `must have' for any lending library.

Autism is a diificult condition to accept, to understand, and to fight. Parents and professionals are flooded with books and articles filled with ideas about the causes, symptoms,and treatments for autism. It is an overwhelming task to sort out honest attempts from honest but misguided ideas from frank marketing of treatments. This book helps clarify and organize a comprehensive approach that includes advice on to advocate for persons with autism. I strongly recommend Sicile-Kira's book to anyone helping with persons with autism or autism spectrum disorders, including parents, health professionals, and teachers. J. D. Feder, MD