Could It Be Autism?: A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps

by Nancy Wiseman

Book Overview

If you have questions or concerns about your child's social, emotional, or behavioral development, you're not alone. The number of children affected by autism--an umbrella term for a wide spectrum of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767919726
• ISBN13: 9780767919722
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Broadway Books
• Length: 258 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Our family thanks you!

As a mother of four children, I have learned to trust my gut feeling. Do not listen to what others tell you, but trust yourself. I always thought my children were different. They had certain characteristics that I did not see in other children their age. But even though I knew that something was not quite right, I did not research further until my pediatrician mentioned the word autism. He said that my 15 month old son was showing some "red flags" for autism. To me, that was such a scary word, a word I knew nothing about. I pictured my son growing up in his own world, sitting in a corner by himself, banging his head against a wall. That is what I thought Autism was. It was not until I read this book that everything changed. Not only did this book make me realize that my kids did show red flags for autism, but it helped me to accept that something was not quite right with them, and that getting a diagnosis would not be the end, but a beginnning. When you know what you are dealing with, you know how to get help. This book gave me the push I needed to seek screening for my children, and thank you Nancy, because my children needed this. 3 of my 4 children have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and your book helped us not only recognize the signs, but to accept the diagnosis, and lead us on the path of what to do next. If you have concerns about a childs development, then this is the book for you. Not only does it cover autism, but it touches on other developmental disabilities as well. The book is well written and very easy to read. It is not filled with a bunch of hard to understand medical jargon. It is clear, concise, to the point, but most of all informative. Thank you Nancy Wiseman!

Well-written guide to early signs of autism...with one flaw

I just finished this book and want to commend Nancy Wiseman for writing a book I wish I'd had more than 10 years ago, when I first suspected something was "wrong" with my son. As early as 2 months old, he was showing signs of what I have since learned were indications of hypersensitivity toward certain stimuli. He couldn't stand to be held, even as a tiny baby, and it broke my heart and scared me to death. His doctors were utterly clueless, and I essentially had to tell THEM that I was sure it was autism after more than a year of voracious research. Ms. Wiseman's book could have spared me a great deal of heartache in that regard, as she hones in on several things I noticed in my son as an infant: the lost eye contact, lack of acknowledgement from facial expressions or hearing his name called, running into the street when I screamed frantically for him to stop and come back, the severe tantrums over absolutely nothing...I could go on and on. I said four stars, though, because it's a book written as a guide to parents and starts to go into therapies, but it stops short of being a comprehensive guide of that sort. She talks about Floor Time, the therapy created by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, which I understand is a good option for many kids, but there are so many others, and we don't hear word one about them. What about Occupational Therapy for sensory issues? ABA? The GF/CF diet? What about Incidental Teaching, the therapy my son has received for the past 8 years, which has worked wonders on his behaviors and abilities? If Ms. Wiseman had stopped at exploring the early signs and telling parents how to get professionals to appreciate the need to act sooner, rather than later, in getting a thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis so treatment can start, rather than deciding to branch off from there and go into her daughter's therapy, I would see the book as a more balanced account for parents who are scared and overwhelmed and are desperate for validation from someone who knows exactly how it feels to be viewed as a "hysterical" parent.

What Every Parent Needs

This book is more than just about autism. It is a clear and readable account for every parent who has wondered about developmental issues concerning their child. I highly recommend it.

Could It Be Autism?: A Parent's Guide to First Signs and Next Steps

Nancy Wiseman has done an amazing job of taking ton of complicated information and making it easy to understand. My son was diagnosed with autism at age 3 even though my husband had suspicions when he was 21 months old. We lost more than a year of services until he was finally diagnosed. I wish this book would have been available in 1999 when I needed it. Could This Be Autism? will be a tremendous resource to both families and pediatricians. I recommend it highly!

Everyone has a potential. Help find it.

Our son was diagnosed at 4.5, 12 years ago, when it was "diagnose and adios"! Had we had this concise and easy to read book, the pain, frustration and suffering could have been greatly minimized. This is a universal book for parents, family, friends, professionals and all parties interested in ameliorating the conditions of the special needs population. It's inciteful, honest and informative. If you have the slightest doubt about your child's potential or that you are doing all you can to help that person reach their fullest potential, read this book. Ms. Wiseman has artfully combined the scientific approach of a professional with the passion of a parent, to give us options to explore, something that has taken many of us too much lost precious time in dead ends and insensitive, uninformed and arrogant bureaucrats. Do this wonderful and usually neglected population a huge service by reading this book and recommending it to someone involved. Make a difference, one person at a time!