An Introduction to Autism for Adoptive and Foster Families: How to Understand and Help Your Child

by Katie Hunt, Helen Rodwell

Overview

Written for busy foster carers and adoptive parents, this book provides a concise introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and how to support a child with a diagnosis. It emphasises the common strengths children with ASD have, as well as offering strategies for any behavioural issues that are likely to arise, highlighting how these can be exacerbated by the care system and adoption process.

The first part of the book looks at the different aspects of autism and the challenges it can pose for children and parents, providing strategies for managing difficulties at home and at school, using social stories, and reducing sensory input in a child's environment. The second part looks at issues that arise for fostered or adopted children, including placement transitions, contact, and explaining the past. It concludes with helping parents to think about self-care.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784507596
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	10/18/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Dr Helen Rodwell is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, based in Derby, UK. She works with looked after and adopted children and provides supervision and consultation to other professionals, including adoption and fostering social workers. She currently works with a range of Local Authorities, Barnardo's and a voluntary Adoption Agency.

Dr Katie Hunt is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychologist currently working in private practice in Nottingham, UK. She specialises in work with children and young people with complex special needs and neurodevelopmental difficulties, which includes children with Autism.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1: What Is Autism? 2: How Is Autism Assessed? 3: Overriding Principles For Parenting A Child With Autism; 4: Everyday Transitions At Home And School; 5: Placement Transitions&Contact; 6: Attachment&Belonging; 7: Life Story, Loss And Trauma; 8: Looking After Yourself; 9: Seeking Help And Resources; Appendix 1: Getting To Know My Child

Editorial Reviews

Adoption UK regularly supports adoptive parents who are struggling to decide whether their children has autism or an attachment disorder and what difference those two diagnosis might mean. This book will be invaluable to them as it provides a really helpful and simple description of how autism can present in different children, and how this can be similar to attachment difficulties. This book will help parents to get to know their child and their autism. It provides lots of real life examples and explores issues specific to adoption - such as moving from fostering to adoption. It will be invaluable bedside reading for many adopters.

Ann Bell

As an specialist autism professional, an adopter and an ex-foster carer, I found this book is a joy to read! It is rare that a book by professionals is so accessible. It will be a great resource for support workers, teaching assistants, care staff and professionals who want a book about autism and attachment that they can read easily, rather than academic text books.

Heather Moran

Accessibly written and fantastically informative. The authors bring clarity and certainty to what is often a misunderstood and inaccessible word and present it in an easy and relatable form.

Al Coates MBE