More Postcards from the Airport: Playing Catch-Up with Autistic Specturm Disorders

-- Library Journal, 4/11/2006

In July 2003, LJ ran its first collection development article on autism spectrum disorders (ASD), “Sending Postcards from the Airport,” penned by yours truly. In the three years since its publication, the literature on ASD has been booming. By my conservative estimates, publishers both large and small released more than 150 titles in the United States in 2004 and 2005.

Regardless of what is driving this increase (a true epidemic or a better understanding by professionals?), public awareness of ASD has never been greater. In my reviewing for LJ, I couldn’t help but notice the growing amount of works on adolescents and young adults with ASD—a mounting concern for parents and educators of young children diagnosed in the mid- to late 1990s and thereafter.

Just in time for National Autism Awareness Month (April), then, comes my supplement to “Sending Postcards from the Airport,” a catch-up collection development article, if you will, made up of stellar books that have been published since the article came out. These have been broken down into the same categories that were used in the original article; all but four have been previously reviewed in LJ by me. The new titles appear first in alphabetical order, followed by the list of slightly older books. I hope you find this grouping useful.—Corey Seeman, Kresge Business Administration Lib., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor

New Titles

Morrell, Maureen F. & Ann Palmer. Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum: Unexpected Lessons We Have Learned. Jessica Kingsley. May 2006. c.240p. ISBN 1-84310-807-0. pap. $19.95. PSYCH

Written by two autism professionals who are also parents of autistic adults, this book provides an excellent view into the lives of parents raising ASD children. While both of the authors’ children are autistic, they are on different ends of the autism spectrum. At the same time, however, many of the experiences they faced are similar. The authors write about balancing family life, advocating for their child, and dealing with schools and the public, among other issues. Strongly recommended for public and academic libraries with ASD collections.

Nazeer, Kamran. Send in the Idiots: Stories for the Other Side of Autism. Bloomsbury, dist. by St. Martin’s. 2006. c.224p. ISBN 1-58234-619-4. $23.95. PSYCH

Nazeer, an adult with autism who now works as a policy advisor for the British government, attended a now defunct New York City school for autistic children in the early 1980s. Here, he chronicles his attempts to discover what became of his classmates (they called themselves the “idiots”). Readers will encounter a speechwriter, a messenger, a computer engineer, and an unfortunate suicide case. This is one of the most novel and vivid personal narratives of autism written; recommended for all libraries.

O’Brien, Marion & Julie A. Daggett. Beyond the Autism Diagnosis: A Professional’s Guide to Helping Families. Brookes Pub. 2006. c.384p. ISBN 1-55766751-9. $29.95. PSYCH

O’Brien (human development & family studies, Univ. of North Carolina) and Daggett (Family Inst. of the Central Coast, CA) have extensively studied autism, and their truly worthwhile book supplies great advice for professionals working with parents of autistic children. The general information is sound, but the book’s true strength is the way that it promotes that professionals listen to and respect the parents of the children they are treating and assessing. Much coverage is devoted to the assessment and diagnosis period, which can be the most difficult for parents. This is a great resource for academic libraries with education or autism collections as well as public libraries with large autism collections.

Sicile-Kira, Chantal. Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: The Complete Guide to the Cognitive, Emotional, Social, Physical, and Transition Needs of Teenagers with ASDs. Perigee: Putnam. 2006. c.288p. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-399-53236-6. pap. $14.95. PSYCH

Sicile-Kira is the parent of an autistic child and has worked as an advocate for ASD. Her excellent work on adolescents and young adults with autism provides excellent suggestions for dealing with such issues as personal hygiene, cleanliness, sexual awareness, appropriate behavior, and maturity strife (regarding when family and friends tire of a child who is not able to develop). Recommended for all public libraries and academic libraries with education collections.

General Works

Bashe, Patricia Romanowski & Barbara L. Kirby. The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insight, and Inspiration. rev. ed. Crown. 2005. c.487p. illus. index. ISBN 1-4000-8152-1. $27.50. PSYCH

This revised edition of the OASIS Guide—written by parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome (AS) and creators of the OASIS web site (www.aspergersyndrome.com)—focuses on issues related to children at home, in social settings, and at school (including an expanded section on special education basics); the first edition’s features are maintained, e.g., narratives, sidebars, and useful charts. One of the best books on AS (the original version was included in the LJ collection development article on ASD, 7/03). (LJ 4/1/05)

Bruey, Carolyn Thorwarth. Demystifying Autistic Spectrum Disorders: A Guide to Diagnosis for Parents and Professionals. Woodbine House. (Topics in Autism). 2004. c.200p. ISBN 1-890627-34-8. pap. $16.95. PSYCH

In this valuable work, Bruey interprets and explains the Diagnostic Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV), making a case for a more consistent application of ASD terms. Bruey clarifies the very thin lines distinguishing the various ASD conditions, taking DSM-IV descriptions and offering more thorough explanation with examples and comments from parents and professionals. (LJ 4/15/04)

Collins, Paul. Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism. Bloomsbury, dist. by St. Martin’s. 2004. c.256p. ISBN 1-58234-367-5. $24.95. PSYCH

In one of the most enjoyable books on ASD, memoirist Collins (Sixpence House) intertwines the history of ASD with his own personal connection to autism, his son, Morgan. Collins gathers a variety of historical ASD accounts, including those by Hans Asperger, Leo Kanner, Bruno Bettelheim, and Peter the Wild Boy (discovered in Hanover in 1725), to impress upon us that ASD is neither a new concept nor one that we understand very well. An excellent book that transcends its target audience. (LJ 4/15/04)

Koegel, Lynn Kern & Claire LaZebnik. Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope That Can Transform a Child’s Life. Viking. 2004. c.299p. index. ISBN 0-670-03294-8. $24.95. PSYCH

An excellent general book that approaches ASD from two distinct points of view. Koegel, cofounder of the Autism Research Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and novelist LaZebnik, the mother of an autistic son, approach ASD from different viewpoints, supplying basic and commonsense strategies for the problems confronting parents and educators of children with ASD. In a text divided by typical behaviors (e.g., meltdowns and self-stimulation), Koegel begins by tackling clinical symptoms; LaZebnik then offers an anecdote from her personal experience. What results is a series realistic and valuable responses to everyday occurrences in the lives of people with ASD. (LJ 4/15/04)

Personal Narratives

Hughes, Robert. Running with Walker: A Memoir. Jessica Kingsley, dist. by Taylor & Francis. 2003. 236p. photogs. ISBN 1-84310-755-4. pap. $17.95. PSYCH

In this wonderfully written book, Hughes (English, Truman Coll.) provides a vivid account of his experiences raising his autistic son, Walker (b. 1985). Hughes touches on many elements that make his narrative distinctive, including a father’s point of view, experience with home schooling, marital stress, Walker’s public behavior, and sibling issues with a younger brother who has obsessive compulsive disorder. Hughes’s book uses great humor to help illustrate the patience often needed to raise children with special needs. (LJ 10/15/03)

Senator, Susan. Making Peace with Autism: One Family’s Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts. Trumpeter, dist. by Random. 2005. c.259p. ISBN 1-59030-244-3. $22.95. PSYCH

Senator, whose writing on autism has appeared in the New York Times and the Boston Globe, shares her firsthand experiences with the disorder by telling the story of her son, Nat, who was diagnosed at age three. Easy-to-spot text boxes appear throughout providing Senator’s helpful hints and tips for working with and relating to an autistic child. (LJ 8/05)

Treatment Guides

Coyne, Phyllis & Ann Fullerton. Supporting Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Recreation. Sagamore. 2004. c.342p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 1-57167-498-5. $24.95. PSYCH

Not exactly related to treatment, recreational activities can dramatically improve the social skills and quality of life of people with ASD. By examining recreational activities for people with ASD, educators Coyne and Fullerton (special & counseling education, Portland State Univ., OR) have filled a great gap within the literature. The authors include a good introduction to ASD, examples and case studies, and descriptions of model programs, including camps and youth service organizations, activity schedules, communication tools, and other information for meeting the needs of children and adults with ASD. (LJ 6/15/04)

Harris, Sandra L. & Lara Delmolino. Incentives for Change: Motivating People with Autism Spectrum Disorders To Learn and Gain Independence. Woodbine House. (Topics in Autism). 2004. c.124p. ISBN 1-890627-60-7. pap. $17.95. PSYCH

Psychologists Harris and Delmolino (both Douglass Developmental Disabilities Ctr., Rutgers Univ.) provide an overview for using Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), a proven therapy for individuals with ASD. Easy to follow, this first-rate introduction to ABA is accessible to a wide range of audiences. (LJ 11/1/04)

Howley, Marie & Eileen Arnold. Revealing the Hidden Social Code: Social Stories for People with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Jessica Kingsley. 2005. c.160p. illus. index. ISBN 1-84310-222-6. pap. $19.95. PSYCH

Developed by U.S. educator Carol Gray, the Social Stories approach is very useful and effective for teaching appropriate social interaction to people with ASD. A Social Story, according to the Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding, “describes a situation, skill, or concept in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses in a specifically defined style and format” and can affect three important outcomes: recognition of achievements, preparation for an event or activity, and correction of bad behavior. Complementing Gray’s own books, this work provides clear and succinct instructions for writing one’s own Social Stories, including helpful examples that convey increasingly complicated messages and yet are still effective for children with ASD. (LJ 9/1/05)

Sohn, Alan & Cathy Grayson. Parenting Your Asperger Child: Individualized Solutions for Teaching Your Child Practical Skills. Perigee: Putnam. 2005. c.288p. ISBN 0-399-53070-3. pap. $14.95. PSYCH

Sohn, a school psychologist, and Grayson, a special educator, created Cognitive Social Integration Therapy (CSIT) to help parents and educators guide Asperger’s children to more successful social interaction with others; they explain its implementation here, using children of all ages as examples. The authors show how to use “minor” sabotage to create controlled learning experiences that will help the child learn that life does not always go as planned. (LJ 2/15/05)

Wiseman, Nancy D. Could It Be Autism?: A Parent’s Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps. Broadway. 2006. c.272p. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-7679-1972-6. $22.95. PSYCH

For children with ASD, early intervention programs are critical in lessening the impact of autism. Wiseman, the mother of an autistic child and founder of First Signs, a group working to identify early signs of ASD, here provides effective and balanced ways for parents to interpret these signs in their own children. Well written and with extensive quotes from parents, her book includes sections on spotting the early signs of ASD, getting the diagnosis, and finding help for both the child and the adult. (LJ 12/05)

Issues for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism

Cohen, Judith H. Succeeding with Autism: Hear My Voice. Jessica Kingsley. 2005. c.240p. index. ISBN 1-84310-793-7. pap. $19.95. PSYCH

Cohen (education, Adelphi Univ.) draws on the oral history tradition to create a truly distinctive entry in the literature. Her subject is “Michael,” a 24-year-old man for whom she served as college advisor. Despite graduating and securing math and computer science teaching positions, Michael had difficulty interacting with others and adapting to adult life. Cohen uses lengthy quotes from his family, friends, teachers, and Michael himself to provide a vivid portrait not only of his actions but also of how others responded to them. (LJ 6/15/05)

Palmer, Ann. Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome: A Parent’s Guide to Student Success. Jessica Kingsley. 2005. c.176p. bibliog. index. ISBN 1-84310-801-1. $19.95. PSYCH

Owing to vast improvements in therapies and diagnosis, many children with ASD, such as the author’s son, Eric, have real options for college. Palmer’s interweaving of personal experiences (like preparing Eric for college) with general information and resources results in excellent guidance for ASD students in high school or college and their parents. (LJ 10/15/05)

Children, Youth and Adults with Asperger Syndrome: Integrating Multiple Perspectives. Jessica Kingsley, dist. by Taylor & Francis. 2005. c.384p. ed. by Kevin P. Stoddart. index. ISBN 1-84310-268-4. $79.95; pap. ISBN 1-84310-319-2. $34.95. PSYCH

This book approaches Asperger’s syndrome (a somewhat milder form of ASD) from an academic perspective. Stoddart (director of clinical & professional services, Aspergers Soc. of Ontario) and his Canadian colleagues include sections on employment, sexuality, and Asperger culture, as well as a narrative by Donna Moon, who did not discover her connection with Asperger’s until her first year in college. Coverage of adult issues is excellent. (LJ 4/1/05)