Caring for Autism: Practical Advice from a Parent and Physician

by Michael A. Ellis DO

Overview

When a professional states, "Your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)", it is enough to make your whole world fall apart. What does it mean to be on the autism spectrum? How will this affect your child's life, your life, the life of your family, and others you interact with? What sorts of medications, therapies, and alternative methods are used to help manage the disorder? What are the financial and legal ramifications? How will this affect schooling, your spiritual growth, and everyday life? These are just a few of the questions that will rapidly cross your mind. Caring for Autism: Practical Advice from a Parent and Physician delves into all these questions and more. As the father of a daughter with ASD and as a trained psychiatrist who specializes in ASD, Dr. Michael A. Ellis provides a holistic view of what comes after diagnosis. In user-friendly tones, he answers the most commonly asked questions about what it's actually like to live with ASD, what medications and therapies are available, and the global impact it has on the child's environment. With the help of his wife, Lori Layton Ellis, to provide a mother's perspective, Dr. Ellis shares personal stories of their 10-year journey in order to provide insight and support for anyone - patient, parent, caregiver - traversing the difficulties of autism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190259372
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/02/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	706 KB

About the Author

Dr. Michael A. Ellis was born and raised in Vero Beach, FL. He attended medical school at Nova Southeastern School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia. He is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and expert in treating Autism Spectrum Disorder. He seeks to educate the parents of children with ASD to help both the parents and the children navigate the medical and lifestyle challenges on this life-long journey. He has a wife and 3 children and the oldest child, currently 13 years old, has autism spectrum disorder.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents Acknowledgements Contributor List Chapter 1: A Father's Perspective on Autism My Child's Diagnosis Why Did This Happen to My Child Lessons Learned Chapter 2: A Mother's Perspective on Autism By Lori Layton Ellis, BS, MPH Chapter 3: Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder History of Autism The Symptoms of ASD Diagnoses That Mimic ASD Common Comorbid Disorders Screening and Diagnostic Instruments Medical Work-Up of Your Child Other Referrals Needed Chapter 4: What Causes Autism? Possible Causes of Autism Brain Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder Genetic Causes Environmental Causes OBGYN Recommendations Chapter 5: Autism's Effect on the Whole Family Impact of ASD on the Family Parenting Efficacy (Am I A Good Parent?) Parenting Stress The Effect of ASD on Parents' Health Hardships of Parenting a Child with ASD How Environment Affects the Child with ASD ASD's Impact on Siblings The Cost of ASD Quality of Life and Well-Being What Should I Do? Coping and Acceptance Social Support Interventions/ Therapies Chapter 6: Psychopharmacology- Should I use Medications for My Child? What Symptoms Can Be Treated with Medications? Stimulants Nonstimulants Other Medications That May Be Used Off-Label for ADHD Atypical (Second-Generation) Antipsychotic Medications Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Antiepileptic (Anticonvulsant) Drugs Glutamatergic and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acidergic Agents Cholinergic Agents Oxytocin Other Agents Sleep Pharmacogenetic Testing Chapter 7: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies (CAM) for ASD Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diet Omega-3 Fatty Acids Vitamin B6 Artificial Food Colors Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chemical Chelation Melatonin Cannabis (THC) Oil Tips on the Use of CAM Chapter 8: Non-Medication Therapies for ASD Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) Developmental Relationship-Based Approaches Comprehensive Treatment Models for Early Intervention for Preschool Children Parent Training Social Skills Groups TEACCH Program Speech Therapy General Recommendations Chapter 9: The Educational System and ASD Disciplinary Action 11 Important Points for IEPs Predictors of Your Child's Educational Success Chapter 10: Long-Term Planning and Legal Issues Health Insurance Medicaid Waiver Programs Guardianship Special Needs Trust Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance/ Disabled Adult Child Benefits (SSDI) Chapter 11: Stages of Grief, Spirituality, and Religion Meaning-Making Theory of Grief Religion in the Individual with ASD Chapter 12: Navigating the Journey About the Author Index

Editorial Reviews

"Dr. Ellis has succeeded in providing a valuable resource that provides emotional support and evidence-based information to help caregivers accept their child s condition and plan for initial treatment and beyond. This book should be recommended by physicians, teachers, social workers, and health care professionals to parents whose children were recently diagnosed with ASD." — Alice R. Mao, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

"Caring for Autism is a thoughtful and useful book for families of children with autism spectrum disorder...Dr. Ellis offers much more than pragmatic advice; he offers hope and inspiration to families of children with ASD." — Erik Loraas, AACAP News

From the Publisher