The survival guide for kids with autism spectrum disorder (and their parents)

Just because a child has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) does not mean that they cannot make friends, succeed in school, or foster a special talent like musicianship or athleticism. With that sentiment in mind, this book is designed to be a resource for the entire "team of helpers" rooting for every child trying to reach their full potential, including parents, teachers, friends, and support staff. The overarching tone is one of openness, making no social or physical facet of ASD taboo. Real problems are answered with real solutions shared by kids. Verdick and Reeve offer dual perspectives as both parents of autistic children and medical professionals in the field of developmental disabilities. Interesting anecdotes and cartoon illustrations are presented alongside invaluable tools such as behavior charts and body-language cheat sheets. No two children are the same, whether they have been diagnosed with ASD or not, and the authors lay a strong foundation in giving kids the ultimate skill of self-advocacy. Copyright 2012 Booklist Reviews.

Child psychiatrist Reeve and children's book author Verdick (Voices Are Not for Yelling) are both parents of children on the autism spectrum and understand that a child's diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder can be confusing for parents and the child themself. With a colorful and simple-to-read format, their book covers a broad variety of ASD and experiences of people on the spectrum, including those who excel or struggle academically, and those who have intense interests or repeated motor movements. Part one is a primer on symptoms and sensory processing and includes profiles of famous people with ASD. It also addresses questions and focuses on the need to build a team of helpers. Part two contains practical information on day-to-day life at home, at school, and out in the world. Part three considers physical and emotional issues and explores how exercise, nutrition, sleep, and relaxation can help build health and increase confidence. Reeve and Verdick also talk about ways for parents to discuss ASD or share a diagnosis with their child; they say that this conversation may be daunting to parents. The book does not specifically address intersections of ASD with race, gender, or class. VERDICT This quick, valuable read will be a useful addition to library collections.—Julia M. Reffner, North Chesterfield, VA

Gr 3 Up—Verdick and Reeve, both mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder, are direct, truthful, and effective in their delivery, and they use their own experiences to inform readers about how to deal with the vagaries of life with ASD. They open with a brief introduction first to children and then to the adults who should be reading with them. In the first section, the authors give instructive background information but they do not go into too many details, keeping the text actively moving forward. Subsequent sections offer a ton of advice: what to do at school, at home, with siblings, about eating habits, and, of course, the vitally important chapter on "poop" and "pee." Throughout the book, the authors include examples of real children with real problems and their attempts at coming up with solutions. One difference between this book and many other self-help titles is that these children do not always solve their problems; sometimes at the end of the example, they still don't like trying new foods, or they still have to work hard to make themselves try something new. The youngsters who are profiled represent multiple races and both genders. The format is colorful, with primary colors playing a large role in the layout of each page. This volume could become a treasured resource for families looking for help in successfully working through some of the problems faced by higher-functioning children with ASD. Buy two copies; one is sure to get worn out with use.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD