Could It Be Autism?: A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps

If you have questions or concerns about your childs social, emotional, or behavioral development, youre not alone. The number of children affected by autisman umbrella term for a wide spectrum of disorders that includes “classic” autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Rett syndromeis growing every year. Most children are not diagnosed until they start school. But developmental problems can be recognized in infants as young as four months old. Early intervention can vastly improve a childs chances for a successful outcome and recovery. Could It Be Autism? provides vital information so you can recognize the red flags of developmental delays and begin treatment based on those first signs.

Nancy Wiseman is the founder and president of First Signs, the organization dedicated to educating parents, clinicians, and physicians on the early identification of and intervention for developmental delays. She is also the mother of a child who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, and she draws on her own experiences as well as the latest research to present real strategies. Emphasizing warning signs, she describes the most important milestones at each stage of a childs growth, including things parents and pediatricians often overlook. She also empowers parents to act on their instincts and initial concern, rather than to “wait and see,” which is often encouraged.

The book explains the steps parents can take to confirm or rule out a developmental delay or disorder. It details various diagnoses and show how sometimes multiple diagnoses may apply. But even more valuable is the information on how to design and implement the best intervention plan based on a childs unique developmental profile. Different treatments and therapies are outlined so parents can explore and understand what may work best for their child, based on his or her particular strengths and weaknesses.

Ultimately, Could It Be Autism? is about giving parents hope--hope that they can know one way or the other where their child is developmentally and hope that they can give their child what he or she needs to have the best life possible.

"For parents worried about their children's development, Wiseman, president of a developmental disorder awareness organization and the mother of an autistic child, promotes a rigorous approach to identifying autism warning signs, stressing early diagnosis as a crucial component of securing proper post-diagnosis treatment. Writing conversationally, Wiseman covers all the autism bases-symptom detection, diagnosis, treatment options, redefining parental obligation-in 10 topical chapters, splicing comments from parents of autistic children with advocacy information, the latter of which is plentiful and hard-nosed. Public schools' special education programs and government-funded development therapy initiatives are taken to task, with Wiseman warning parents 'you must always be prepared to fight' and suggesting parents brush up on relevant laws, reach out to advocacy organizations and community groups, and, above all, be the child's unflinching advocate. Wiseman's approach does not get bogged down in the minutia of endless record keeping, instead favoring a big picture approach and a checklist of 'social, emotional, and communication milestones' designed to allow parents to keep track of a child's development beginning at four months of age. Packed with clear-cut suggestions, this book will be a valuable resource for parents facing weighty questions about their child's behavior." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

This guide by the founder and president of First Signs, Inc. provides parents with vital information so they can recognize developmental delays and begin intervention as early as possible. The author describes the most important milestones at each stage of a child's growth, including aspects of development parents often overlook.

Nancy Wiseman is the founder and president of First Signs, Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating parents and pediatric professionals about the early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders. First Signs provides professionals with tools and training and parents with education and support to help young children stay on a healthy developmental path. Nancy is the mother of Sarah, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Todayat age nineSarah stands as a powerful and positive example of the impact that early identification and intensive intervention can have on young children with developmental delays and disorders. This little girl, once so profoundly delayed, has made remarkable progress, much like the organization she inspired seven years ago.