A Brief Guide to Autism Treatments

by Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg, Jill Myerow Myerow Bloom (Contribution by), Malorie L. Dimler (Contribution by), Kristen L. Batejan (Contribution by), Mary Beth McCullough (Contribution by)

Overview

The number of intervention options available for children with autism can be overwhelming for parents. This book provides brief, user-friendly descriptions of the most commonly publicized treatments for autism, summarizing the available information in an objective and accessible way.

Each short chapter covers a single treatment from Applied Behavior Analysis to Gluten-Free Casein-Free diets, as well as lesser known therapies such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Each includes a definition and description; a summary of the prevailing information gleaned from popular press; an explanation of what the science says; and an idea of potential costs to parents and schools.

This straight-talking and practical guide will allow parents of newly-diagnosed children, as well as any professionals working alongside them, to sift through the avalanche of advice and make their own informed choices about treatment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849059046
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	10/15/2012
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg, PhD, is a Cognitive Developmental Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Vanderbilt University, Tennessee. Becky L. Spritz, PhD, is a Child Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology at Roger Williams University, Rhode Island. They are the authors of A Clinician's Guide to Normal Cognitive Development in Childhood.

Table of Contents

Notes 9

1 About This Book Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg Becky L. Spritz 11

2 Science and Scientific Vocabulary Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg Becky L. Spritz 17

3 Applied Behavioral Analysis Mallory L. Dimler Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg 29

4 Chelation Jill MYEROW Bloom Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg 39

5 Craniosacral Therapy Nicholas D. Taylor Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg 47

6 Daily Life Therapy Katherine K. Bedard Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg 55

7 Developmental Individual-Difference Relationship-Based Model/Floortime Kristen L. Batejan Becky L. Spritz 63

8 Dietary Supplements Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg Kristen L. Batejan 71

9 Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diet Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg Susan E. Michelson 79

10 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Nicholas D. Taylor Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg 89

11 The Miller Method Mary Beth McCullough Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg 97

12 Music Therapy Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg Katherine K. Bedard 105

13 P.L.A.Y. Project Home Consultation Program Kirstin Brown Birtwell Becky L. Spritz 113

14 Relationship Development Intervention Mary Beth McCullough Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg 121

15 Sensory Integration Therapy Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg Susan E. Michelson 129

16 The Son-Rise Program Joseph C. Viola Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg 137

17 TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-Handicapped Children) Mary Beth McCullough Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg 145

18 A Note About Medications Elisabeth Hollister Sandberg Becky L. Spritz 155

References 161

Index 171

Editorial Reviews

I found the information provided useful, markedly objective, unambiguous and easily understood.

Nicole Goodman

In the ever growing complexity of treatments for children with ASD, Sandberg and Spritz's timely volume offers a thoughtful, concise, and accessible analysis of available interventions that will help parents and families negotiate the confusion and separate the wheat from the chaff.

Keith A. Crnic

This informative and well researched book give the reader an insight into some of the treatments and interventions available for children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This book is primarily aimed at parents who have children with ASD and gives them the information they need to make an informed choice as to which treatment or intervention would be beneficial for their child... A strength of this book is its accessibility. At the end of each chapter, a table is presented to summarise the suitability of the treatment in terms of age, anecdotal parental support, scientific evidence, availability and the cost of the treatment... This book is clear and concise providing the reader with unbiased information about treatments that would enable them to choose the best treatment and intervention for their child. This book does exactly what the title says; ti five a useful guide to ASD treatments and is accessible for the reader.

International Journal of Developmental Disabilities

Carefully investigated and concisely written, Sandberg and Spritz have provided for the first time an extremely well researched and accessible guide on available treatments for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Families with an autistic child are confronted with the overwhelming task of finding the best interventions for their child amidst a dizzying array of information from professionals and educators, other families, printed materials, and the internet. The process of sorting through this information is daunting, confusing, and extremely time consuming, making it nearly impossible for families with a special needs child to gain the critical insights they need. The authors not only describe the treatments available and their costs, they provide a well-rounded assessment of the support for any given intervention, from online information to parent testimonials to hard scientific evidence. This book will become the definitive treatment resource guide for all families of children with autism and I strongly recommend it to anyone committed to optimizing interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Katherine M. Martien

A Brief Guide to Autism Treatments provides families with a user-friendly introductory guide to current treatments for autism. The emphasis on scientific evidence will help provide guidance in making informed decisions for a very challenging disorder.

Lauren Cyd Solotar

Families of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder are bombarded with countless accounts of effective treatments for autism. A Brief Guide to Autism Treatments provides parents and caregivers with reliable and useful information that will allow them to make educated decisions regarding treatment for their loved one on the autism spectrum.

Hanna C. Rue