Autism and Tomorrow: The Complete Guide to Helping Your Child Thrive in the Real World

by Karen Simmons, Davis, Bill

Overview

Looking Ahead to the Future of Autism Study and Care

Autism and Tomorrow is a comprehensive resource that addresses many parents’ questions pertaining to their child with autism, such as financial planning, long-term care, employment options, and employer relationships, community resources, education, bullying, puberty, doctor visits, sex, nutrition, fitness, family relationships, and more.

Karen L. Simmons, the founder and CEO of Autism Today, and Bill Davis, author of Breaking Autism’s Barriers, offer sound, expert advice derived from their own experiences. Both Simmons and Davis are parents of children with autism; consequently, Autism and Tomorrow is as much an autobiography as it is a reference book.

Both authors draw inspiration directly from their own lives and apply their expertise to the general study of the subject. By doing so, Simmons and Davis hope to help other parents, caretakers, relatives, and friends improve both their knowledge of autism, and as a result, the lives of those affected by it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781510722521
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	07/24/2018
Edition description:	2nd Edition
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Karen L. Simmons is the celebrated founder and CEO of Autism Today, an internationally acclaimed resource for autism and all special needs. She is the mother of six children, including one with autism and another with ADHD. Simmons is also the author of four other books. Her mission is to celebrate every child’s gifts and talents, and by doing so, she has become a highly recognized authority on autism and special needs.

Bill Davis is an author, autism expert, and advocate for anyone struggling with autism. He authored multiple books, including Breaking Autism’s Barriers: A Father’s Story and Dangerous Encounters—Avoiding Perilous Situations with Autism. He is the former president of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, chapter of the Autism Society of America and the recipient of Temple University’s End the Victim’s Silence Advocacy Award.

Table of Contents

Foreword xiii

Acknowledgements xv

Introduction xix

1 In the Beginning 1

1.1 The Facts and the Need 1

1.2 Relentless Persistence: Making Autism Work 2

1.3 How Can You "Fix It" if You Don't Know What's Wrong? 4

1.4 19 Myths about Autism 7

1.5 10 Tips for Parents and Professionals 10

1.6 The Right Words 12

2 All in the Autism Family 13

2.1 Mother's Issues and Tips 15

2.2 Father's Issues and Tips 17

2.3 Moms Helping Dads 18

2.4 Siblings of Autistic Children and Questions to Ask Them 19

2.5 Tips for Extended Family and Friends 22

2.6 Grandparents 23

2.7 Friends and Your Child 24

2.8 Those Who Work with Your Child 26

2.9 Pets Are Important 27

2.10 Holidays, Birthdays, and Other Special Days 28

2.11 Marriage and Divorce 29

3 Teaching Acceptance and Understanding 32

4 Special Education, Transitions, and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) (Bill Davis) 35

4.1 Specifics of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) 40

4.2 Early, Middle, and Later Phases of Transition 40

4.3 Transition Portfolio Planning Tool 52

5 Educating Students with Asperger's Syndrome 53

5.1 I Am What I Think and Do 53

5.2 Continuum of Traits 54

5.3 Genius May Be an Abnormality 55

5.4 Types of Thinking 56

5.5 Teachers and Mentors 58

5.6 Sell Your Work, Not Your Personality 59

5.7 Teaching Citizenship 60

5.8 Anxiety Problems 60

5.9 Parents-What to Do Next 61

6 Communications 63

6.1 Competence is Key 63

6.2 Autism, Communication, and AAC 63

6.3 What is AAC? 64

6.4 AAC Interventions for Children with Autism 67

6.5 Max Finds His Voice: Language Acquisition through Motor Planning 70

7 Autism Through New Eyes^™: How to Improve Your Child's Reading, Writing, Coordination, and Sports Abilities 74

7.1 Does Your Child Do Any of These Things? 75

7.2 The Good News 76

7.3 School Vision Screenings Are Incomplete 78

7.4 Give Your Child an Auditory, Speech, and Language Evaluation 79

7.5 Using Colored Overlays to Help Your Child See Printed Pages More Clearly 80

7.6 Vision and Reading Skills Charts 83

8 Tools for the Outside World, Building Self-Esteem in Children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome 85

8.1 It Starts with Us 86

8.2 Using Social Stories 88

8.3 Using Pictures, Storyboards, and Video to Communicate 91

8.4 Explaining Autism to Others 92

9 Your Child's Safety 94

9.1 School and Community Law 95

9.2 Talking to the Police 95

9.3 Talking with Firefighters and Rescue Professionals 99

9.4 Personal Safety 101

10 Out in the Community 105

10.1 Shopping and Behavior in Stores 105

10.2 Vacation and Travel Safety 105

10.3 First Responders, Hospitals, and Emergency Rooms 106

10.4 Riding the Bus 107

10.5 Public Restroom Use 108

10.6 Haircuts 109

10.7 Post-9/11 Security 109

10.8 Airports 109

11 Bullying 111

11.1 The Profile of a Bully 111

11.2 The Parents' Role in Changing the School Climate 112

11.3 The Teachers' Roles 113

11.4 Financial Bullying at Any Age 113

11.5 Cyberbullying 114

11.6 Bullying Myths 115

12 Puberty and Sexuality 118

12.1 Sex Education and Explaining Sexuality 118

12.2 Sociability 120

12.3 Dating 121

12.4 Sexual Abuse 124

12.5 Hygiene 126

12.6 Special Doctor Visits 127

13 Issues for Boys with Autism 129

13.1 The Issues 129

13.2 Men in Institutions and Group Homes 130

13.3 Autism Tomorrow 132

14 Issues for Girls with Autism 134

14.1 The Issues 134

14.2 Women in Institutions and Group Homes 136

14.3 Growing from a Girl into Woman with Autism (Ruth E Snyder, RN) 136

15 Financial Planning (Bill Davis, Kim Schnepper, Martin Cherrin, John Dowson) 140

15.1 School Programs 141

15.2 The Letter of Intent 141

15.3 Protecting Your Child's Assets 142

15.4 Financial Planning 143

15.5 The Four Essentials to Securing Your Exceptional Child's Financial Future-A Special Section for Canadian Citizens 154

16 Explaining Death and Grief to Your Autistic Child 159

16.1 Karen L Simmons' Comments 159

16.2 Bill Davis' Comments 160

16.3 What We've Learned about Death and the Grief Process from Others 160

17 Medical, Dental, and Other Health Issues 162

17.1 Finding the Right Physician 162

17.2 Dental Care Is Essential 163

17.3 A Father and a Doctor 163

18 Fitness for Special Students 166

18.1 Fitness for Optimal Futures 166

18.2 A Brief History of What Went Wrong 166

18.3 Why Being Inactive Is Absolutely, Positively, Not Okay 167

18.4 What Is Authentic Physical Fitness? 169

18.5 The Importance of Family Fitness 170

18.6 The Abridged Exercise Encyclopedia 171

19 Health and Nutrition 173

19.1 Diet and Autism: What You Need to Know 173

19.2 How Diet Can Help with Autism 174

19.3 Nutrient Deficiencies 175

20 Attending a University or Community College 179

20.1 Universities, Colleges, and Community Colleges 179

20.2 Students: Tips for Adjusting to Life on Campus 182

20.3 Students: Be a Success Story 184

20.4 College for People on the Autism Spectrum 184

21 Careers 189

21.1 Helping Your Child Build an Enriching Career 189

21.2 Before Starting the Job Search 190

21.3 Hooray! Your Child Landed the Job! Now What? 191

21.4 Lighting Issues 192

22 Aging 195

Epilogue 197

Glossary 203

About the Authors 211

Acclaim 215