Stemming from a wealth of both professional and personal experience, this guidebook combines real-life stories of challenges and successes with practical ideas for handling autism, every day. Autism consultant Alyson Beytien outlines over 150 tried-and-true techniques for home, school, and community.
Alyson’s three boys cover the whole spectrum of autism—Asperger’s syndrome, high-functioning autism, and classic autism. She understands the wide range of needs these children have and has discovered what helps and what hinders. Covering a full gamut of issues—from picky-eating and echolalia to IEPs and “The Woes of Walmart”—Alyson’s ideas and interventions will inspire and inform all those who are connected to a person with autism.
Alyson believes that each day brings more opportunities to learn, problem-solve, and celebrate the joys that children with autism bring to our world—after all, today’s crisis is tomorrow’s humor. Her family’s motto will soon become your everyday mantra: “Improvise and Overcome!”
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 275
Alyson Beytien, M.S. is a popular national and international speaker, parent/teacher trainer, and mother of three sons with autism. She is a consultant and trainer for school systems throughout the United States and Canada on educating individuals with autism. She has delivered over 300 presentations for numerous organizations on autism, spanning a wide range of topics. Alyson is the Behavioral Specialist at the Mercy Service Club Autism Center in Dubuque, Iowa, where she is involved in assessment, intervention, and training for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. She is also a columnist for the Autism Spectrum Quarterly magazine.
“Alyson is able to turn the mundane into the extraordinary, and deliver life’s important messages in ways that resonate and linger.”
—Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Editor-in-Chief, Autism Spectrum Quarterly
“I know that as a caregiver myself, practical ideas are invaluable. Even as just a place to start from when working with a student. If it doesn't work, it is still helpful— because we then know what doesn't work and how can we build on it and go from there.”
—Bonnie Sayers, Autism Editor - http://autismspectrumdisorders.bellaonline.com
“Alyson has done a fantastic job in developing a family- and professional-friendly book, all rolled into one!”
—Sharon Rettinger, Parent
“Written by a mother and autism expert, Autism Every Day combines wisdom with humor and what we know with practical applications and how-to's. The author's writing style is like sitting down for a cup of coffee with a parent at a support group.”
—Marty Murphy, Individual with Autism
“I like how Alyson has grouped the information into the four areas. The target groups she identified will be able to find the information they are most interested in within those chapters, while other groups can 'cross over' and see the other the side of an issue—working with the child at home or in a public place.”
—Gretchen Wilson, Founder, Sean Ashley House, www.seanashleyhouse.org
“I was excited to see topics that are not often touched upon such as food, grief, sexuality, and dealing with the downside of parent involvement in the IEP process.”
—Mary Tara Wurmer
“I would recommend reading Autism Every Day because it is written with important information AND helpful, practical strategies. The book's author is credible because of her own personal experiences and educational background.”
—Tyann Rouw, Parent
PART I - Characteristics of Autism
1. Food Network: Eating Issues
2. On Any Given Day: Challenging Behavior
3. The Gathering: Passions and Obsessions
4. Sounds of Silence: The Myth of Quiet
5. Disney DNA: Echolalia and Language Challenges
6. Refusing Puberty: Adolescence and Sexuality
7. The Weatherman: Mood Shifts
8. Foreshadowing: Early Signs of Autism
9. The Love Language of Autism: Expressing Affection
10. Confessions of a Gecko Killer: Teaching Death and Loss
PART II – Education
11. The Big Decision: Choosing Interventions
12. The Spectator: Parent involvement in Education
13. Scheduled Grief: Individualized Education Plans
14. Moving On Up: Transitions in Education
15. Ten Keys for Supporting a Student with Autism
16. Independence Day: Toileting and Self-Care
17. So you want to be an Expert: Studying Autism
PART III - Family Life
18. Conflicted: Aggression, Self-injury and Other Difficulties
19. Plan A : Accepting Plan “M”
20. Band of Brothers: Sibling Relationships
21. Grandparents: Extended Family Opportunities
22. Crosswords: Maintaining your Marriage
23. Odd Mom Out: Life outside the Norm
24. You might be the parent of an Autistic child if……
25. The Trip: Travelling with Autism
26. Tis the Season: Holidays
27. Frequently Asked Questions: A Guide for Self-Defense
PART IV - Community Interactions
28. Autism Olympics: The hundred yard parking lot dash
29. Do Neanderthals hunt Mammoths like we pray?: Religion and Autism
30. Shop ‘til You Drop: The Woes of Walmart
31. Full Disclosure: What to Say and When
32. Reader’s Digest: Anecdotes from the Edge
33. An Apple a Day: Healthcare Interactions
