Targeting Autism: What We Know, Don't Know, and Can Do to Help Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

by Shirley Cohen

Book Overview

Calling attention to recent advances in early identification and educational therapy, Shirley Cohen, a teacher of teachers, provides expert guidance through the often confusing arena of autism.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520248384
• ISBN13: 9780520248380
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 258 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Intelligent

This is not a book for parents who are brand-new to the subject of autism. While it does discuss treatment options, the information is not organized in a way to be a helpful reference, nor does it have that warm, friendly tone many of the books written by parents of children with autism have. I liked it because it is actually a rarity: a well-written group of essays on autism by someone in academia that never seems targeted only to professionals or researchers. There is an in-depth look at ABA and other treatments, and thoughtful discussion about the term "recovery," among other topics. Once you have read all the basic books, and want something with a bit more depth, get this one. It is refreshing to read a book that assumes you are an intelligent reader. For parents looking for more of a step-by-step guide after a diagnosis, I would recommend the following: Lynn Koegel's Overcoming Autism, Nancy Wiseman's Could it Be Autism?, Lynn Hamilton's Facing Autism, Christina Adams' A Real Boy, and Karen Siff Exkorn's Autism Sourcebook.

This is one of my favorite books on autism

First off, she defines autism in layman's terms and with first person testimonials. Secondly, she provides a life cycle view of autism, so that you have SOME idea of what the future might hold for your child. Third, she describes how families cope with autism, that some become driven, others fall apart, others adopt a "Holland" approach. Then she discusses treatments, including a solid analysis of educational approaches such as Lovaas (leans positive), mainstreaming, TEACH, DAP, etc... and non-traditional approaches, such as AIT, FC, etc...And she talks about recovery too, the controversy that very term raises. She closes this chapter with a quote that could have come straight out of my own heart: "A parent asked, What if my child remains autistic? What will we do? The best you can - with your love, your skills, and all the resources you can marshal - to help him achieve as independent and joyful a life as possible for him." Perhaps I love this book because so much of what she writes does articulate what I have felt as I've gone over the different options for my son's interventions. But also, her testimonials from a wide range of sources really help to illuminate autism as well.And finally, her book is very REASONED in tone. The only thing missing is a chapter that summarizes her thoughts about what she thinks parents should do. I mean really, most parents are reading these books for ADVICE! Even if parents eventually do something else, its always nice to have a plan laid out that you can either agree with or react against and develop your own. You won't find an action plan here, but the information provided should help you in making one of your own.

A great navigator in the autism maze.

As a parent, you immediately try to become an informed consumer regarding the needs of your child. Targeting Autism depletes the emotionalism and gives it's reader a good overview of the topic and current therapy. Targeting Autism is a good beginner book, a great navigator in the autism maze.

Well Researched and Very Thoughtful Survey

My respect for this book grew as I waded through the sea of shrill voices proclaiming that their version or reality beats the competition and only an idiot or an uncaring parent could question that. The occasionally story-like narrative belies the artful teaching the book undertakes. If you suspect (as I do) that vigorous debate, good research, and continued creativity will produce increasingly effective treatments, then we need to encourage more discussions such as Cohen's. If you are a parent (as I am) it helps to turn down the volume a notch and consider the issues dispassionately.

Excellent source of current (1997) knowledge & treatment

After reading several other books on autism, I recommend this one as an up-to-date summary. One source for current "medical" understanding of autism. Excellent overview and perspective on multiple treatment approaches. This is a super first or only book for genearl information on autism.