Children With Autism: A Parents' Guide, ed 2.

Children With Autism: A Parents' Guide, ed 2

Powers MD, ed. Bethesda, MD 20817, Woodbine House, 2000, paperback, 427 pp, illus, ISBN: 1-890627-04-6, $17.95.

This second edition of an award-winning book for parents of children with autism is an excellent resource. It contains comprehensive information on a broad range of topics, yet it is written in clear, understandable language. Forewords--written by Temple Grandin, an adult with autism, and opera singer Beverly Sills Greenough--and the "Introduction"--written by Bernard Rimland--set the sensitive and optimistic tone that characterizes the book.

The editor, a psychologist with extensive professional experience with children with autism and their families, opens the formal content with expansive discussion of the various diagnoses that fit under the category of pervasive developmental disorders.

Fred Volkmar, a physician, discusses the medical management of autism (including the important considerations that are involved in selecting and using medications), discusses related problems (eg, seizures, accidents and injuries, infections, dental care, and nutrition), and offers practical advice on selecting a pediatrician, dealing with hospitals and medical procedures, and understanding insurance and managed care. Sandra Harris contributes a valuable chapter, "Your Child's Development," that summarizes how a child with autism will typically differ in the development of cognitive, motor, communication, and social and emotional skills.

One of the greatest strengths of the book is its comprehensive examination of the stress that accompanies parenting and advocating for a child with autism. It provides practical, sensitive advice for coping with stress in a manner that promotes effective interventions and balanced family coping strategies. This examination of stress starts with the chapter "Adjusting to Your Child's Diagnosis" by parents Lillian and Joe Tommasone and builds with chapters on "Daily Life With Your Child," "Finding the Right Early Intervention and Educational Programs," "Legal Rights and Hurdles," "Becoming an Advocate," and "The Years Ahead: Adults With Autism."

Each chapter concludes with 15 to 20 statements by parents that personalize the information provided in the chapters and give it credibility. Snapshots of children with autism happily engaged in everyday activities are interspersed throughout the book, contributing to its overall sense of optimism. The comprehensive 16-page glossary, the annotated reading list that is organized to correspond with various chapters, and the extensive 70-page resource guide are invaluable sources of information.

A discussion of treatment options other than applied behavioral analysis is notably absent in this book. Other behavioral approaches, special diets, or sensory integration are not mentioned at all. Physical therapists and occupational therapists are excluded from the list of professionals who should be included on an interdisciplinary team, and the definition of a physical therapist in the glossary is a professional who "specializes in improving the development of motor skills, particularly the coordination of gross motor activities."

The value of the book for physical therapists, therefore, is mixed. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants would most likely want more extensive information on the theoretical causes of autism and its medical management, and they would find next to nothing on their potential role with children with autism. However, the chapters on legal issues and selecting appropriate interventions in the educational setting are some of the most comprehensive and well-written summaries that this reviewer has seen and would be helpful to health care professionals who treat children with disabilities. It is also important for all of us to be reminded of the complex and stressful issues that the families of a child with a disability cope with on a daily basis.

Karen Y Lunnen, PT, MS Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC

Mrs Lunnen is Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. Her primary clinical, teaching, and scholarly interests are in pediatric physical therapy.