Reviewed by
Linda Wanfried

" Parent Survival Manual, compiled from 350 anecdotes told by parents of autistic and developmentally disabled children, and analyzed by professional behavior therapists, illustrates effective solutions to various behavior problems such as aggression, communication, perseveration, play and leisure, eating and sleeping, and toileting and hygiene.

Covering both individualized solutions to behavior problems and suggestions for obtaining community support, Schopler offers the autism-affected family quick reference to solutions of the most difficult behavior problems, as well as systematic behavioral analysis for individualized application to new problems. The book's unique emphasis on empowering parents to determine their child's rehabilitation sets this volume apart from currently available guides."

Before I leave the back cover to offer some examples of problem solving advice from parents, I want to include a couple of quotes saying how great this book is.

"A most thorough and penetrating compilation...parents will soon find that this is must reading, a comprehensive resource that will enhance their ability to make informed choices."

-Daniel A. Torisky, Director and Past President Autism Society of America, President Autism Society of Pennsylvania

"Clearly written and well organized...Essential reading for parents, teachers and professionals who work with autistic children and their families. I recommend it highly."

Fred R. Volkmar, Harris Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology, Yale University, Child Study Center, New Haven, CT

"Those who care for autistic children will find the Parent Survival Manual a gold mine of useful ideas. Every family struggling with the problems of autism will find at least one - and probably many - of the manual's 350 instructive anecdotes to be worth the price of the book."

Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., Director, Autism Research Institute, San Diego, CA; Founder Autism Society of America, Washington, DC

These reviewers are all people who have devoted many years of their lives to studying autism and are very highly regarded as experts in the field. So is the book's editor. He is Founder/Co/Director of TEACCH at University of North Carolina. TEACCH is recognized internationally for its great work with children with autism. It teaches family members to be active participants and co-therapists in treatment.

OK so now to the good part. The book has an index, and you can find some fabulous things. No kidding. Browse the index and see: Clothing, chewing/mouthing/tearing of - with several different sections of the book to go to. Under H there is hair cuts, hair pulling, hair washing, followed by hand flapping, hand mouthing and head banging. What joy to find these things in a book! And not only that, there are good stories of how parents have coped with these things.

The book uses a visual (naturally!) to help us understand that there are problem behaviors (tip of the iceberg), then below the surface are the underlying deficits contributing to the problem behaviors. Each chapter addresses these in detail. For example, Chapter 7 is Eating and Sleeping. Some things on tip of iceberg are: "eats inedibles from floor", "eats plants", "eats string and rocks". Some things in underlying deficits are: "lacks concept of edibility", "needs sensory stimulation", "lacks inhibition", "poor communication", "forgets rules easily", "unaware of own habits". The chapter title page has all the items and lists page numbers to go directly to the place of interest.

So, for "eats inedibles from floor", when you go to page 137 it says:

"When Jim was just a toddler, he moved around very fast and paid no attention to language. He would pick up anything and everything from the floor and put it in his mouth. When we gave him a pacifier and hung it around his neck so that he could always find it, he started to use that instead".

Then came the commentary: "This little boy had clearly developed his motor skills faster than judgement, understanding of language, and memory for rules. The prospect of continuously chasing around behind a fast toddler on the move, or of clearing the whole house or yard of all reachable inedibles, would have been overwhelming. Probably Jim did not understand why his mother reacted with anger to his impulses, and therefore, punishment would have been counterproductive. Her solution was to provide him with an alternative substance, accepting the fact that he was still at the mouthing stage of development."

The commentaries add a great deal to the parent solution strategies by explaining why they work. That way parents are empowered to create new solutions to the next challenging behavior that may arise. (smile)

This is a very friendly book. It's in chunks, so it can be consulted as needed for particular situations. Naturally I think everyone should read the whole thing straight through. But for many busy parents that's just not an option. It's so handy to think, "Ok this is happening, what can we do?", then look it up in the book and get some solid information. Very good information. News you can use. Gotta love it!

So what do we give it? 5 stars? 5 jellybeans? 5 goldfish crackers? 5 M&M's?