How To Talk To Parents About Autism

Book excerpt: The most recent epidemiological data from the Centers for Disease Control (2013) suggests that 1 in every 88 children has some form of autism. Autism’s core symptoms surface as problems with social interaction, restrictive interests and abnormal language development, and they often appear quite differently in various children. Parents of children diagnosed with autism are often overwhelmed. They experience a range of feelings that may include denial, wishful thinking, and desperation. Sometimes they pursue unproven or useless treatments and interventions. This book will help professionals who consult with parents to understand autism’s symptoms and to provide proactive guidance. It will also give parents knowledge to understand more fully the problems associated with autism and make decisions that help their child develop to be as fully happy and engaged as possible.