Grandparent's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders: Making the Most of the Time at Nana's House
The scenarios at the beginning of each chapter strike right to the heart of REAL situations. Families need facts and real situations, rather than theory. They will receive an abundance of those real situations and facts in this book.Grandparent's Guide... has been needed in our community for many, many years. There have been other wonderful essays and stories, but this is a 'how-to' that addresses all the different grandparenting styles and family dynamics. Indeed, Nancy Mucklow includes aspects of grandparenting that never even occured to me before reading this book. This is a must-read for grandparents, their children, and all teachers, counselors, and support staff who work with individuals on the autism spectrum. All levels of functioning and a cornucopia of circumstances are addressed. --Susan J. Moreno, CEO and founder, OASIS@MAAP; MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger SyndromeWith no-nonsense information delivered in clear, readable prose,Grandparent's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disordersis indispensable for grandparents of the newly diagnosed. Can meltdowns be avoided? How do I talk to my friends about my grandchild with ASD? These topics and many more are addressed in a way that will make grandparents more competent and confident, increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes for the entire family. Grandparents not personally impacted by autism will also benefit, as they grow in their understanding of how ASD impacts other families. --Susan Adcox, Guide to Grandparents on About.comBeing a grandparent myself, I know that our expectation is often that the grandparent's role will be one that is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher and a little bit best friend. We figure that we can relax, enjoy and have fun, leaving the heavy lifting for the parents. But this expectation can be frustrated when the grandchild is on the autism spectrum. For these grandparents,Grandparent's Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders: Making the Most of the Time at Nana's Houseby Nancy Mucklow is a godsend. It is a valuable guide for grandparents no matter what role they play in their grandchild's life. It is also a resource for any extended family member who wants to establish a comfortable and supportive relationship with a child in the family dealing with the challenges of an autism spectrum disorder. Mucklow announces the complex issues of sensory differences, difficulties with emotional regulation, anxiety issues, meltdowns, and problems with executive function in a way that is accessible and instructive. Her easy-to-understand descriptions are enhanced with vignettes that give insight into experience of the child with autism. For each area she offers concrete suggestions for what to do make the time that grandparents and the child with autism spectrum disorder spend with each other enjoyable for both. This book will help grandparents make their grandchild feel as safe and loved as we all want our grandchild to feel. It will support the grandparent's urge to embrace - and even spoil - this different and valuable young member of their family. --Donna Owens, MA, program director, OCAI Center for Family and Adult Services