About.com Rating


Updated March 26, 2015.

The Bottom Line

This is a good, solid resource written generally for parents of children who are undergoing evaluation for autism spectrum disorders. It covers virtually all the bases of screening, testing and diagnosis -- which means readers can come to the table well-informed and ready to understand the process and outcomes. It has been translated into Spanish, and author Emily Iland offers Spanish-language presentations to groups.




Pros

• Translated into Spanish - a critical offering!
• Compassionate voice with stories bring content to life.
• Easy to read without being simplistic.
• Loads of resources and references for further exploration.

Cons

• The title suggests an encyclopedia - but this is really an overview.
• Covers screening, diagnosis and reactions - but not treatments.
• The sheer quanitity of detail can be overwhelming.

Description

• An introduction to autism, written in plain language.
• Also offered in Spanish translation.
• Detailed information about screening and diagnosis.

Guide Review - Autism Spectrum Disorders from A to Z (English and Spanish versions)

This is one of the few introductory books to autism spectrum disorders which is both informative and readable. For parents who have felt swamped by "autismspeak," it's a wonderful relief! The book is also nicely laid out, with plenty of white space -- something that is all too often neglected. By telling personal stories, the authors engage the reader, provide useful examples, and keep the tone warm and supportive.

On the flip side of the coin, the book is huge. And its focus is on a gold standard of testing and diagnosis which is, quite frankly, outside the scope of many parents to provide. It would be nice to find an ideal team to conduct a comprehensive set of specific screening and diagnostic tests. It would be great if they offered specific, actionable recommendations. And it would be wonderful to find teachers who not only understand autistic kids but have the freedom to support them appropriately. Such services are, however, extraordinarily rare.

This book is available in Spanish. Emily Iland, author and translator, notes: "We have a website with pages in Spanish at www.asdAtoZ.com. Many people will find out about the book in Spanish through people who speak English! That is one reason we want parents and staff who speak English to know about Autismo A-Z, so they can share the news and refer people to our website to learn more and acquire it for their resource libraries."