Table of Contents
Introduction
10 Truths about Autism Spectrum Disorder
FIRST STEPS
1) Tell Your Child He Has Autism Spectrum Disorder
Example ASD Fact Sheet
2) Create a “Comfy Place” Option
3) Instead of Saying “No,” Teach Your Child This Important Phrase: “The Rule Is”
4) It Is Okay to Allow Your Child to Say, “No,” to Sensory Input
5) Routine, Routine, Routine
6) Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Special Section—Stimming
7) Allow and Encourage Your Child’s One Track Hobbies and Collections
8) Choices, Choices, Choices
9) Meltdowns Will Happen—Be Prepared
Special Section—Teaching Safety
Special Section—Girl’s with ASD
Special Section—Guest Parent Post
Special Section—Sleep
School
Diet
Social Time
Exercise
NEXT STEPS
1) Learn All You Can About The Helpful Stuff
2) Begin Moving Your Child Out of Her Comfort Zone
Special Section—Play Time
3) Social Stories
Special Section—Teaching Safety 2
4) Introduce New Sensations: Sensory Integration
Special Section—Attitude Check
5) Slowly Introduce Changes in Routines
6) Show Your Child What Conversation Looks Like
7) Encourage Your Child to Try Something New
8) Begin to Give Your Child More Complicated Choices
9) Give Your Child the Tools He Needs for Self-Management
Special Section—Nonverbal Children
Special Section—Single Parents
School
Diet
Social Time
Exercise
Services That Cost Money
CHALLENGE STEPS
1) Teach Your Child How to Help Himself Overcome ASD
Special Section—Biomedical Interventions
2) Teach Your Child to Face and Solve Problems
3) Teach Your Child That Sometimes Rules Change
4) Teach Your Child How to Be Comfortable in the World of Sensations
5) Teach Your Child to Create His Own Routine and to Adjust
6) Teach Your Child the Nuances of Communication
Special Section—Improv Games
Special Section—Healing Diets
7) Teach Your Child to Use His Interests to Create and Meet Goals
8) Teach Your Child How to Step Out on Her Own
9) Teach Your Child How to Deal with a Build Up of Stress and Frustration School
Diet
Social Time
Exercise
Special Section—Where Do We Go From Here
Special Section—Where Did We Begin? (Cameron's Story)
Index
About the Author
