The Bottom Line
The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism is a must read for parents of children with autism. From getting a new diagnosis and figuring out the best therapies, to navigating services at school, this book covers everything you will need to know.
It is also a great book for pediatricians and other health care providers who will almost certainly learn a lot about autism and be better prepared to help support parents and autistic children.
And since so many people still have misconceptions about autism, the essays in this book will help promote acceptance and inclusion for autistic children and adults, dispel many myths about vaccines and unnecessary biomed therapies, and will get you away from thinking that your child is "damaged" in any way.
Pros
- Easy to read guide to autism
- Evidenced-based advice
- Takes the stigma out of an autism diagnosis
- Dispels the myths about the link between vaccines and autism
- Tips on building a network for support, therapy, and medical services.
Cons
- Could use a chapter on early signs of autism.
Description
- A comprehensive guide to help parents avoid doubtful or discredited autism treatments.
- Focuses on neurodiversity, the idea that children with autism are different, not disordered.
- Most essays written by parents of children with autism or autistic adults.
- Includes a long list of additional resources, including books and websites.
Guide Review - Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism is a great book filled with practical advice for parents of children with autism.
Whether your child has a new diagnosis and you are overwhelmed with all of the things you need to know, or if your child was diagnosed years ago and you could still use some tips and advice on preventing meltdowns, the best therapies and service providers, and getting help at school, you will almost certainly learn something by reading the Thinking Person's Guide to Autism.
The book has been a great resource for me too. Although I have long known about neurodiversity, I know that learning about many of the other topics in the book will help me be a better pediatrician.
Some of the topics that I don't think that I have seen covered in other books include:
- being prepared for the responses you may get from people when they learn your child has autism
- stories from parents of children with autism who don't think that vaccines caused their children to have autism
- avoiding over-buying, instead focusing on what your child and family needs, can afford, and will help your child
- stories from autistic adults
Many parents will also do well to learn from the experiences that many of the writers have had with their own children, including learning to avoid autism cults and unproven treatments.
Of course, you will also learn about more common issues, such as dealing with picky eaters, avoiding meltdowns and temper tantrums, and potty training resistance.
As Kim Leaird says in her essay on "Teamwork," "when you've met one child with autism, you've met one child with autism - even identical twins." The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism will give you all of the resources to help that child with autism.
