Learning about autism

AUT-2B-HOME

Learning about Autism - This section is for the major resources for the beginner and expert alike. It can be SO hard to hear that diagnosis, but a little bit of reading will help you know that you are NOT ALONE in dealing with this. It may not be the road we pictured ourselves on, but it's a well worn path. We've planted our flowers to make the journey easier, if you find any gems, please share them for the sake of the person behind you.

Autism Resources, maintained by John Wobus, Computing & Media Services, Syracuse University, USA. http://web.syr.edu/~jwobus/autism/ Includes: General; Pages with General Information on Autism; Other Indexes of Links on Autism; Online Discussion; Mailing Lists, etc.; Asperger's Syndrome; News; Accounts; Bibliography; Books and Articles; Specific Issues; Methods, Treatments, Programs; Academic and Research Programs; Libraries; Online Papers; Organizations (includes US, Canada and other countries); Resources by Language; For Sale. (from Lisa S)
* ARI (Autism Research Institute) - This organization is a clearing house for information and research on educational and medical treatments for autism through a quarterly newsletter, databases of autism questionaires, information pamphlets and books. Dr. Rimland has also spearheaded the DAN! protocol, a medical alternative treatment outline developed a group of
knowledgeable professionals throughout the world. 4182 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116 (619) 281-7165,
Autism Society of America
CAN Cure Autism Now
Center for the Study of Autism (an affiliate of the Autism Research Institute), Portland, Oregon, USA http://www.autism.org
Includes: Overview of Autism; Subgroups and Related Disorders; Issues; Interventions; Temple Grandin; Sibling Center; Other Information; Other Autism Related Resources on the Internet (links) including: General Resources, Mostly Links, Oregon Web Sites, Defeat Autism Now (DAN!) Group Members, Subgroups and Related Disorders, Nutrition Related, Educational and Interventions, Research, Internet Resources. (from Lisa S)
Hyperlexia http://www.hyperlexia.org/ (Contributed by Mary Baker)
National Alliance for Autism Research
* "Ooops...Wrong Planet! Syndrome" web page of janet norman-bain of Oyster Bed Bridge, Prince Edward Island, Canada; an adult with Aspergers who has a son with Autism http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/8442 Includes: Autism information (includeds web pages of people with autism, First Hand Accounts, etc.); Autism mail lists, Newsgroup and forums;
Autism Links (more than 300); Autism in other languages; Internet Relay Chat; Searching the net; Communication options; Favorite sites from janet's bookmarks. (from Lisa S)
* TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children

Books for Understanding Children with Autism

It goes without saying the most cost-effective way to obtain these books is through the library and borrowing from other parents and professionals. Some books are mainstream and can be found in national bookstore chains. For the ones that aren't, most of them can be ordered from ARI, Future Horizons and some chapters of the Autism Society of America.
You can also see more reviews on this site Recommended Books

Autism Treatment Guide by Elizabeth Gerlach - This book outlines various treatment options, both mainstream and alternative, for autism in an unbiased manner and provides key references, addresses and phone numbers to help parents research them further. Available from ARI.

* The Child With Special Needs: Encouraging Intellectual and Emotional Growth by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, Serena Weider and Robin Simon - This book shows how to move beyond labels to observe the unique profile--strengths and problems--of the individual child. Next, they demonstrate the techniques, such as Floor Time, necessary to help the child not only reach key
milestones but also develop new emotional and intellectual capacities. It includes case histories too.

Emergence Labeled Autistic; Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin - These two books were written by an autistic woman. The first book is an autobiographical account of the author's emergence from autism. The second book provides excellent insight into the mind of autistic people in general. Available from ARI.

Hearing Equals Behavior by Dr. Guy Berard - This book discusses how auditory sensitivities can affect people with a variety of disorders and explains the technique AIT (Auditory Integration Training) which was developed by Dr. Berard.
Available from ARI.

Hidden Child by Jeanne Simons and Sabine Oishi - This book discusses the Linwood Method for teaching children with autism and provides some unique insights on following a child's interests and using strengths. Available from Woodbine House, 5615 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852 (800) 843-7323.

Laughing Loving; More Laughing and Loving by Wayne Gilpin - These two books gives anecdotes about the endearing behavior of our children. Sometimes it's comforting to know others share the autism adventure. Available from ARI and Future Horizons.

Let Me Hear Your Voice by Catherine Maurice - This books is an account of how ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) helped two of the author's children with autism.
Available from ARI.

Nobody, Nowhere; Somebody, Somewhere; Just Like Color to the Blind by Donna Williams - These three autobiographies provides invaluable insight about what autism is like from the inside. Available from ARI (except the last one).

Sensory Integration and the Child by Jean Ayres - This book provides information about how sensory integration can benefit children. It is out of publication and the only way you can obtain this classic is through the library or friends.

The Siege by Clara Claiborne Parks - This book describes the first eight years with an autistic child, plus an epilogue 15 years later. Available from ARI.

Sonrise; Sonrise, The Miracle Continues by Barry Neil Kauffman - These books describe his son's emergence from autism and of how the Option technique was developed when he encouraged his son to engage with people in his environment.

There's a Boy in Here by Judy and Sean Barrow - This mother-son account is quite enlightening because the book presents two different views of the autistic son's behavior--from both the inside and outside.

The Ultimate Stranger by Carl Delacato - This book, although over 20 years, is still an excellent overview of hypo and hypersensitivities of various sensory systems, which is now considered a hallmark of autism, and suggests ways to help. Available from ARI.

Organizations

ARI (Autism Research Institute) - This organization is a clearing house for information and research on educational and medical treatments for autism through a quarterly newsletter, databases of autism questionaires, information pamphlets and books. Dr. Rimland has also spearheaded the DAN! protocol, a medical alternative treatment outline developed a group of
knowledgeable professionals throughout the world. 4182 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116 (619) 281-7165,
http://www.autism.com/ari

Future Horizons - This organization publishes autism literature and puts on autism workshops throughout America and other countries. 720 North Fielder Road, Arlington, TX 76012, edfuture@onramp.net, http://biz.onramp.net/autism

The Morning News - This quarterly newsletter informally shares practical information among parents and professionals working on the behalf of people with autism. Articles address various concerns and share ideas which amplify social stories and related techniques and materials. See webbsite for sample issue. Jenison High School, 2140 Bauer Road, Jenison, MI 49428 (616) 457-8955, http://www.autism.org/social

Email List help

Karen's webpage of the Big list of Lists

AUT-2B-HOME - This email list is a collection of families who are homeschooling their autistic spectrum children full-time or part-time. Our conversations encompass both education and autism: developing programs that meet individual needs and learning styles, teaching methods, curriculums, resources (books, webbsites, organizations, etc), autism therapies, homeschool laws, IDEA laws as applied to homeschoolers, homeschool support groups, addressing lack of support from family and professionals, environmental issues, diet, nutrition, etc. The atmosphere of the list is intended to be positive and supportive with exchange of information, brainstorming and sharing of triumphs and tragedies highly encouraged.

Members of the list have experience with a variety of educational techniques (ABA, TEACCH, Options, computer curriculums, eclectic, unschooling, etc). Members are also from several countries. The list is secular, but religious expression is not forbidden or attacked. While the list is intended for homeschoolers, families who are not currently homeschooling, but who are considering this option, are welcome to subscribe so they can learn more.

The list is private and cannot be accessed by non-members. To subscribe,
send a biography to the listowner, Tammy Glaser <tamglsr@sgi.net>:

Name and Spouse Name
email address
Children's names, birthdates, disABILITIES
Town, State, Country
Homeschooling methods, curriculums, expertise, general wisdom, questions.
Living with Autism? We're already doing it.
Recommended Books