The autism sourcebook

When Karen Siff Exkorn’s son Jake was diagnosed with autism, she struggled to pull together comprehensive information about treatment strategies, coping techniques, financial assistance, and more. Fortunately, Siff Exkorn was able to quickly educate herself, and her extensive at-home treatment of her son led to his amazing full recovery. But the journey wasn’t easy, and now, in The Autism Sourcebook, Siff Exkorn shares with parents the wisdom she wishes she’d had at the beginning. Recent studies show that there is a worldwide “epidemic of autism.” More than 1.5 million people are affected in the U.S. alone, and one in every 166 children is diagnosed. Early diagnosis and informed decision-making are two of the leading factors in improving prognosis—but too often, writes Siff Exkorn, parents get bogged down in denial or confusion about the still mysterious disorder, and are unable to take the steps they need to take. Providing accessible medical information gleaned from the world’s foremost experts on autism (with a foreword by Dr. Fred Volkmar, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediactrics and Psychology at the Yale University Child Study Center), Siff Exkorn offers an inside look at several families with autistic children, tying in her own firsthand experience and hard-won lessons. The author shares valuable knowledge about diagnosis (including vocabulary parents need to understand), treatment options, expert advice, dealing with common marital and familial strain, managing the financial burden the disorder can bring, knowing your rights and entitlements in the school system and community, and understanding autism in a way that makes the stigma of autism a thing of the past.