Foreword Kenneth Bock, MD, FAAP, FACN, CNS xiii
Introduction xvii
Day 1
Learning: What Are Autism Spectrum Disorders? 1
Living: Affirming the Diagnosis 15
Day 2
Learning: Are You Doubting the Diagnosis or Denying It? 19
Living: Getting a Quick Start and a Second Opinion 24
Day 3
Learning: The Top Ten Most Essential Actions 33
Living: Living with Autism, an Olympic Challenge 37
Day 4
Learning: Is Recovery Possible? 40
Living: Understanding, Accepting, and Embracing the Diagnosis 47
Day 5
Learning: Getting Organized, Informed, and Connected 50
Living: Managing the Business of Recovery 57
Day 6
Learning: Navigating Long Waiting Lists 62
Living: Begin to Assemble Your "A" Team 64
Day 7
Learning: Defining Your Role and Your Family's Role 79
Living: The Journey Ahead 84
First-Week Milestone 87
Week 2
Learning: Diagnosis Is Not Enough 89
Living: Understanding Your Child's Individual Profile 94
Week 3
Learning: Autism's Underlying Biomedical Factors 101
Living: Finding the Right Biomedical Specialist 105
Week 4
Learning: Early Intervention 110
Living: How to Access Early Intervention Services 115
First-Month Milestone 121
Month 2
Learning: Know Your Rights; Know Your Insurance 123
Living: The Financials: Planning Ahead 144
Month 3
Learning: Taking a Balanced, Integrated Approach to Intervention 154
Living: Getting to Know the Treatments Available 160
Month 4
Learning: Making Observations and Understanding What They Mean 188
Living: An Example of Integrated Therapy 193
Month 5
Learning: UnderstandingYour Child's Educational Needs 203
Living: Finding the Appropriate School Program 210
Month 6
Learning: Preparing for the Educational Planning Process: Getting Your Ducks in a Row 214
Living: Navigating the Public School System 217
Half-Year Milestone 231
Month 7
Learning: When You're Not Getting What You Need from Your School District 233
Living: Learning How to Advocate for Your Child 239
Month 8
Learning: Identifying Coexisting Conditions 254
Living: More about Peeling Away the Layers 258
Month 9
Learning: Feeling Isolated, Staying Positive 265
Living: Finding Resources and Building Your Support System 270
Month 10
Learning: Refining Your Child's Treatments 276
Living: Assessing Your Professional Team and Using It Wisely 282
Month 11
Learning: Defining and Measuring Success: Assessing Your Mission and Goals 286
Living: More about Goals: Is There a Difference Between Your Stated Goals and Your "Real" Goals? 290
Month 12
Learning: Finding Balance, Knowing You Have Made a Difference 292
Living: Feeling Empowered, Finding Joy and Humor in Your Life 296
Appendix 1 The Early Indicators of Autism 303
Appendix 2 A Strawman Treatment Development Process 309
Glossary 313
Notes 321
Acknowledgments 331
Index 335
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