A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism: How to Meet the Challenges and Help Your Child Thrive

"If you are the parent of a child with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism (AS-HFA) - or are simply wondering whether your child's unusual interests, behavior, and difficulty relating to others are cause for concern - this is the book for you. This book shows how to work with your child's paradoxical combination of precocious talents and social difficulties to help him or her learn to engage more fully with the world." "Featuring everyday problem-solving ideas, the book is filled with real-life stories from families like yours. Useful strategies are described to help your child learn to interact more comfortably with siblings and peers, understand the rules of appropriate behavior, and become an active participant in school and family life. Also discussed are such crucial topics as talking to teens about sexuality and dating, coping with the challenges of high school and college, and crafting a plan for a fulfilling career." With these often-misunderstood disorders, getting a good diagnosis is paramount. You will learn the real differences between Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism and what your child's diagnosis means for his or her development. What scientists have and have not uncovered about the causes of AS-HFA will help you determine what can be done for your child behaviorally, socially, and academically. Advantages and disadvantages of different treatments are weighed to help you collaborate with your doctor in making the right choices for your child. The book also explains how to prevent your child from slipping through the cracks because his or her needs are not as extreme as those of children with more severe autism. It helps you find the best educational placements, exercise your child's educational rights, and understand the benefits of therapy, family support groups, and medication.