Table of Contents

Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1. Nuts and Bolts. 2. Diagnosis. 3. The Pervasive Developmental Disorders are Hard Wired. 4. How to Recognise the Person who has ASD. 5. How People with ASD See the World. 6. Stress and Anxiety. 7. And Now for the Good News. 8. Rules of Engagement; So What are We Going to Do About It? Appendix: DSM-IV Criteria for the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Promotional Information

For anyone encountering ASD for the first time

About the Author

Paul G. Taylor is an experienced consultant paediatrician working in a regional general hospital in New Zealand. He specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorder and works directly with many young people with ASD, their families and their schools. He has been giving talks on ASD for the past 12 years.

Reviews

A Beginner's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders: Essential Information for Parents and Professionals is an excellent short book to start with when someone knows nothing about ASD but needs a quick and brief introduction to it... What is unique about this book is that the author has managed to touch on and explains aspects of the condition in simple terms, avoiding scientific jargon that might put people off... It will be a useful guide to parents who have just received a diagnosis for their child and need some quick answers and top tips, and it will be beneficial to professionals who have come across an individual with ASD for the first time and want to find out more about them. -- The Hoffmann Foundation
This book is handy, easy to read and gives a good understanding of ASDs. It gives a good idea of how someone with an ASD behaves and the reasons for doing so and therefore would be a good book for anyone new to the conditions...The chapter on Punishment was really good as was the chapter about Specific Intervention Programmes That Have No Proof They Work. The part about the MMR vaccination was important and something that needs publicising more widely and Paul has made a very good start in getting the message across. -- OAASIS
Teachers, parents, and others associated with someone with ASD will undoubtedly value this guide. Those with ASD will, in turn, profit from their community's understanding of their challenges, thus aiding stress, aggression, and transition management. -- Fore Word Reviews
Whilst concise, this book provides an up - to - date commentary as well as practical advice on numerous aspects of diagnosing and coping with autism. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better their understanding of autism. -- Families Online