Working with Parents of a Newly Diagnosed Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder

The book takes a positive approach and gives a good overview, made real by an effective series of vignettes. -- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Chapters can be read individually, yet it is an inspiring and informative book, read as a whole... With its multidisciplinary approach (authors coming from the fields of Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Education) this book is both relevant and valuable for all professionals working and supporting families whose child has been diagnosed with ASD. -- British Journal of Occupational Therapy This is a scholarly book, which is well referenced and focused on the early stages -post-diagnosis. This is a crucial time and the chapters of the book reflect how important it is... This is a book that should be read by any professional who is connected with children who are on the autism spectrum. Anything that can instil good practice and make it available to a wider professional audience is to be applauded... Anybody who works with parents of a child with an autism spectrum disorder should have access to this book so that they can refresh the advice that they give and outline the options that are available. -- Nasen Special This book is a very helpful, interesting and informative resource which would make a relevant addition to practitioners' bookshelves. -- the psychologist One of the most important and until now neglected areas has been 'what happens after diagnosis', that critical and heart rending time for families. Here there still is a gap in support and education at a time when parents are overwhelmed by what they are hearing, stunned with grief, and beset by the challenge of knowing what to do. Keen and Rodger's book attends to this gap. It is focused on the immediate aftermath of assessment and diagnosis, what parents need and want to know:- explications of the nature of developmental problems in ASD, what is going to be needed for their child, and how to find information and to provide support. How I wish we had such a book to hand, decades ago when we felt we were stumbling about in the dark! -- from the Foreword by Professor Margot Prior, Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Australia A practical guide for professionals, from many disciplines, that includes a thorough review of the research literature, and the personal experiences and wisdom of the authors and parents. It will be one of the most read and valuable resources in the library of early intervention services and professionals specialising in autism spectrum disorders. -- Professor Tony Attwood, Minds & Hearts clinic, Brisbane, Australia A valuable new resource which should be required reading for all professionals working with children with autism and their families. -- Jacqueline Roberts, Professor of Autism, Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Australia This book draws on extensive research and interviews from families of children who have been recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. It sets out the type of support that is most beneficial to parents immediately following diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder and will help to equip professionals with vital information and tools to most effectively provide the individual support that is needed. The personal experiences shared, couple with the wisdom of long-serving, well qualified authors, makes this book an invaluable resource. -- Early Years Educator

Deb Keen is Professor and Associate Dean Research at Australian Catholic University, Australia and has worked with children and adults with ASD and their families, as a psychologist and researcher, for over thirty years. Deb has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, a Bachelor of Special Education, a Master of Arts in Education from George Washington University and PhD in Education from the University of Queensland. She has published extensively in the area of developmental disabilities and autism. Sylvia Rodger is Professor and Head of Division of Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland, Australia. She holds an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy, masters in special education and a doctorate in occupational therapy. Sylvia has 30 years of experience as an occupational therapists and worked with families with children with ASD during ten years of private practice, and more recently through her involvement in research projects aimed at building stronger families with a child with ASD.

Preface. Foreword by Professor Margot Prior. 1. Supporting Families Following Diagnosis: An Introduction to Key Principles and Concepts. 2. About ASD. 3. Parent-Professional Partnerships. 4. Establishing Parental Priorities. 5. Provision of Information to Parents. 6. Home-Based Parenting Strategies - The Building Blocks. 7. About Communication and Behaviour. Preamble to Appendix A. Inventory of Potential: Communicative Acts. Appendix A. Inventory of Potential Communicative Acts. 8. About Play. 9. About Sensory Issues and their Management. 10. Early Intervention Options and Choices. Index.