Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by difficulty in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. The history of autism dates back to the early 20th century, when doctors and researchers first began to describe and study the condition. While there is still much to be learned about autism, the history of the disorder has shown that the understanding of the condition has come a long way.

During the first 30 years of her life, comedy script writer Sara Gibbs had been labelled a lot of things - a cry baby, a scaredy cat, a spoiled brat, a weirdo, a show off - but more than anything else, she'd been called a Drama Queen. No one understood her behaviour, her meltdowns or her intense emotions. She felt like everyone else knew a social secret that she hadn't been let in on, as if life was a party she hadn't been invited to. Why was everything so damn hard?

Given the great deal of attention paid to music and autism, it is surprising to discover that autistic people have rarely been asked to account for how they themselves make and experience music or why it matters to them that they do. In Speaking for Ourselves, renowned ethnomusicologist Michael Bakan does just that, engaging in deep conversations - some spanning the course of years - with 10 fascinating and very different individuals who share two basic things in common: an autism spectrum diagnosis and a life in which music plays a central part.

There is a significant divide between autistic advocates and parents of autistic children. Parents may feel attacked for their lack of understanding, and autistic adults who offer insight and guidance are also met with hostility and rejection. Meghan Ashburn, a mother of two autistic boys, and Jules Edwards, an autistic parent, were no strangers to this tension and had an adversarial relationship when they first met. Over time, the two resolved their differences and are now co-conspirators in the pursuit of disability justice.

Coping Skills for Teens with Autism provides essential guides and tips for helping teenagers with autism develop the skills they need to navigate life's challenges and improve their quality of life. The coping skills shared here are not just for immediate relief—rather, they will become an integral part of the teenager and fortify them with a lifetime of knowledge and self-help tools.

There is nothing easy about raising a child, especially a sensational one. If you're seeking a handbook on how to support a child with sensory processing differences (SPD) or other nervous system dysfunctions - look no further. This memoir is a one-stop-shop of insights and a survival guide for parents and caregivers. Filled with tried-and-true prevention and treatment strategies for SPD, Sensational Kids, Sensational Families is a valuable resource for all special-needs families.

Andrew didn’t realize he might be autistic until his girlfriend, Michelle, approached him about it months into their relationship. No amount of life experience could’ve prepared Michelle for the confusion she felt while dating Andrew, as he was unlike any man she had ever dated before. The thought never dawned on her that she could fall deeply in love with a man who was autistic or that he might be unaware of this, even into his 30s.

This audiobook looks at what it feels like to be an autistic parent, offering valuable insights, knowledge and wisdom on parenting autistic and non-autistic children. Three mothers reflect on their experiences of growing up as undiagnosed autistics, venturing into and embracing motherhood, and connecting with their children in a unique and powerful way. Full of wit and warm advice, this audiobook empowers autistic parents and reassures them that autism is a strength in raising their children with love, knowledge and experience.

What is it like to experience both Autism and ADHD? You've probably heard of Autism or ADHD by now. Often thought of as contradictory conditions, much of the discourse around both focuses on their neurological differences. But what about those diagnosed with both? Where do the two conditions intersect and overlap? Explaining AuDHD is a straight-talking guide for those trying to understand Autism and ADHD as a combined diagnosis.

From a Grammy-nominated musician comes a lyrical testament to love and resilience through the lens of parenting her young son, who has nonverbal autism.

How can I best support the needs of my neurodivergent clients in therapy? With so much information, and so many different perspectives, it can be difficult to know where to start. Further, the mental health field has only recently begun moving away from "treating autism" to working with autistic and neurodivergent individuals in a more affirming way. That's why Dr. Amy Marschall created A Clinician's Guide to Supporting Autistic Clients. As an expert psychologist and a member of the autism community herself, she recognized the need to move away from treatments that pathologize differences.

If you have a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), your journey together through the teenage years to adulthood may be complicated—not to mention confusing, rewarding, and financially challenging. This book offers scientifically validated guidance to help you raise your tween, teen, or young adult on the autism spectrum. It contains supportive advice for finding good medical and psychiatric care, helping your teen learn executive functioning and social skills to navigate middle and high school, and talking to your teen about sexual development and sexual activity.

Traveling with children is always challenging, but for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and/or mood and attention and distraction disorders it can be especially intimidating. How should parents of children experiencing meltdowns deal with clueless and judgmental onlookers? What are the best methods to alleviate motion sickness when your child might already be on a cocktail of drugs? Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse answers these and many other questions parents may have.

Harry wants to be a voice for dads in the autism fight. From Struggle to Strength was written so other dads can learn from Harry's mistakes, work with their family to support their child on the spectrum and their successful development, see how his son Gus is thriving with the support of both parents, and ultimately understand that an empowered mindset drives lasting growth and fulfillment in the journey with autism.

What is Asperger’s Syndrome? How is it different from autism, or is it even different? How does it differ from ADHD? These basic questions, as well as others, will be answered in this quick guide. Aside from that, topics such as managing temper tantrums, depression, and occupational therapy for autistic people will be discussed.

Named president and CEO of NBC at the age of 43, he faced a two-headed dragon: on one hand, distrust from the network people deeply skeptical of the "suit" from GE, their new corporate parent; and on the other, fiscal oversight demands from a cautious, conservative institution reluctant to invest heavily in a media business they didn't understand. For the next 20 years, he managed to navigate the fine line between the two and in the process completely reinvent - and save - the network.

In Love and Asperger’s: Jim and Mary’s Excellent Adventure, a memoir by Dr. Mary A. Johnson, we experience the possible unraveling of the marriage ties. The future rests on Jim’s willingness to accept his diagnosis of Asperger’s. Come along on Jim and Mary’s adventures—some fun, some difficult, some comical, but all loving—as they eventually work together to engineer an excellent solution!

Master the journey from adolescence to independence in just a few steps, even if societal stereotypes and misunderstandings have made it feel impossible. Many teenagers with autism and their supporters are on this same journey, seeking a compass to navigate the intricate world of adolescence, emotional growth, and eventual independence.

Looking for a book to help you demystify autism? You've found it! This book handles the subject of autistic spectrum disorder with the care and clarity that it deserves. Finally, you will learn how to discern facts from myths regarding this heavily stereotyped disorder. Even more, you will know the best diets and supplements for your loved one who is on the spectrum.

This is the real-life story of Owen Suskind, the son of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ron Suskind and his wife, Cornelia. An autistic boy who couldn't speak for years, Owen memorized dozens of Disney movies, turned them into a language to express love and loss, kinship, brotherhood. The family was forced to become animated characters, communicating with him in Disney dialogue and song; until they all emerge, together, revealing how, in darkness, we all literally need stories to survive.