Annotated Bibliography for Parents and Educators: Autism Resources
By
Laura Robison
Autism Speaks, Inc. (2008). Autism speaks. Retrieved on July 21, 2008, from
http://www.autismspeaks.org/index.php
Autism Speaks was formed in 2005 with the following purpose: “to change the future for
all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders” (Autism Speaks, Inc., 2008). Autism Speaks is
dedicated to raising funds for global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments,
and cure for autism; increasing awareness about autism and its effects; and to bearing a message
of hope to all affected by autism (Autism Speaks, Inc., 2008). The website includes the following
navigation topics: (a) Autism Speaks (general information about the organization), (b) Be
Informed (general information about autism and how to cope with the disorder), (c) Get Involved
(information about donations, events, and government), (d) Walk Events (calendars and recaps
of fundraising walks in various locations), (e) Community (includes access to family service
information, resources, outreach information, chapter information, and a message board), and (e)
Science (includes information on research and scientific information dealing with autism). The
Autism Speaks website provides much information for parents and professionals needing current
information on autism. Autism Speaks works closely with other organizations, e.g. First Signs, to
assist families and professionals learn more in the field of Autism.
Autism Society of America (2008). Autism society of America: Inspiring the lives of all
affected by autism. Retrieved on July 20, 2008, from http://www.autismsociety.org/site/PageServer
The website for the Autism Society of America (ASA) is designed to inform and assist
family members of children with autism, professionals, and persons with autism. ASA’s national
office is located in Bethesda, MD and was founded in 1965 by Dr. Bernard Rimland, Dr. Ruth
Sullivan, and other parents of children with autism. The purpose of the ASA and its website is to
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increase the quality of life for all persons touched by autism by “increasing public awareness
about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum; advocating for appropriate services
for individuals across the lifespan; and providing the latest information regarding treatment,
education, research, and advocacy” (Autism Society of America, 2008). The ASA website is
widely visited and known worldwide. ASA’s journal, Autism Advocate, is read nationally. The
website includes the following sections which include subsections: (a) About Autism, (b) Life
with Autism, (c) Research and Programs, (d) Autism Community, and (e) About ASA. The
website includes helpful information for anyone seeking information about autism and provides
contact information for anyone seeking a local ASA chapter or other advocacy group. Parents of
children with autism will benefit from retrieving and reading information provided on the ASA
website.
Creedom, M., Egel, A., Holmes, D. L., Mesibov, G. B., Pratt, C. L., & Robbins, F. et al.
(2006). Building our future: Educating students on the autism spectrum. Bethesda,
MD: Autism Society of America.
Building Our Future: Educating Students on the Autism Spectrum is a publication
originally available in booklet form that can be downloaded from the ASA website at
http://www.autism-society.org/site/DocServer/buildingourfuture06.pdf?docID=4201. This
publication was written for educators and school administrators to educate them about how
students with autism learn and the educational approaches that are proven effective in meeting
their various educational needs. This document can benefit parents of children with autism by
educating them on what the school should be providing. This publication gives a list of what
autism is and is not; reviews laws governing the education of children with autism; discusses the
role of parents and/or guardians; presents key elements for providing an appropriate educational
environment for students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); discusses
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approaches and interventions appropriate for educating children with ASD; encourages inclusion
in the regular school setting when possible; describes the various learning styles and issues faced
by children with ASD; describes how to handle sensory, social, and behavioral issues; gives a list
of possible educational adaptations; and discusses potential outcomes for children with ASD.
This is a good resource compiled with the help of some of the lead researchers in the field of
autism. The information in this resource will equip parents with knowledge needed to insure
their child receives an appropriate education.
First Signs, Inc. (2008). First signs. Retrieved on July 20, 2008, from
http://www.firstsigns.org/about/index.htm
First Signs is a website developed by the non-profit organization, First Signs, Inc., to
provide information concerning the early warning signs of autism and other developmental
disorders to parents and professionals. The mission of First Signs, Inc. is “to ensure the best
developmental outcome for every child by promoting awareness regarding the most important
and often overlooked aspects of development: social, emotional, and communication” (First
Signs, Inc., 2008). The web site includes the ASD Video Glossary; availability of programs by
state; access to some of the latest research in the field of autism; resources that include articles,
books, links, media, and other services; educational materials and products that can be ordered;
and information about their organization and the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of children
with autism. The First Signs website provides resources useful as “tools and training” for
professionals and “education and support” for parents (First Signs, Inc., 2008).
Gabison, S. (2008). The seven habits of highly effective parents raising children with special
needs: Modified from Stephen Covey’s seven habits of highly effective people.
Retrieved on July 21, 2008, from
http://www.abaresources.com/pdf/thesevenhabits.pdf
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Sharon Gabison used Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People as the
foundation of this list. She is the mother a son with autism and runs a business to assist parents of
children with autism called ABA Educational Resources, Ltd. The list takes a positive, lighthearted approach to a serious topic that will appeal to most parents. It is an encouraging
compilation of tips for parents and caregivers of children with special needs. It stresses the
importance of facing life one step at a time and taking time to care for yourself in order to be
healthy enough to meet the needs of others. The list also includes references to websites and
organizations that can provide help to families of children with autism. This is useful tool
because it is short, easy to read, and provides needed encouragement and practical tips for
parents and caregivers. Other helpful tools are accessible from Sharon Gabison at
http://www.abaresources.com.
Grandin, T. (1996). Thinking in pictures and other reports from my life with autism. New
York: Vintage Books.
Temple Grandin uniquely shares what life has been like as an individual with autism in
the book, Thinking in Pictures and Other Reports from My Life with Autism. She gives insight
into how differently she thinks and sees the world and how she has learned to link the her world
to the world of others. This book will help parents understand how their child with autism thinks
and responds differently than most children to their world. Temple Grandin shares her childhood
and struggles as well as her triumphs as an individual with autism. She encourages parents to
seek help early for their children, to choose interventions that are right for their child, and to
include children with autism in classes with normal peers as often as possible. This book will
instill hope and bring tears to parents of children with autism. This is a good resource to examine
some strategies and interventions used for children with autism from the prospective of someone
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who has lived life as a person with autism. It is a touching and valuable resource for anyone
affected by autism.
Maurice, C. (1993). Let me hear your voice: A family’s triumph over autism. New York:
Fawcett Columbine.
Let Me Hear Your Voice: A Family’s Triumph Over Autism by Catherine Maurice is a
book that depicts a family’s struggle to find successful interventions for their child with autism.
The book encourages parents to find approaches that have worked for other children with autism
and try them. The book does not promise a miracle, but gives hope to families by journaling the
successes gained by one family with intensive behavior therapy intervention. This book is a good
resource and encouragement to parents of children with autism. The book shares the struggles,
guilt, and triumphs faced by the Maurices.
National Research Council. (2001). Educating children with autism. Washington, DC:
National Academy Press.
Educating Children with Autism was compiled and written by the National Research
Council to examine the scientific evidence as it relates to early intervention of young children
with autism and their outcomes. Although this book is compiled and written by and primarily for
professionals working with children on the autism spectrum, it supplies a broad overview that
could be helpful to parents with some educational background. The committee addresses the
following issues concerning the education of children with autism: “(a) early intervention, (b)
diagnosis and classification, (c) the rights of children with autism under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, (d) inclusion, and (e) assistive technology” (National Research
Council, 2001). The book covers all of the above topics thoroughly and is a rich resource on
research as it relates to autism. It supplies information that could help families understand
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various interventions used with children with autism and in order to make educational and
advocacy decisions concerning their child’s educational future.
Regan, T. (2008). Autism: The musical. Los Angeles, CA: Bunim-Murray Productions.
Autism: The Musical is a film that all parents and family members of a child with autism
should see. It is a documentary that showcases the struggles and triumphs in the lives of five
children with autism and their families as the children write, rehearse, and perform a musical.
The film is informative and illustrative of some of the many challenges that families face in the
world of autism. It is very encouraging and heart-wrenching at the same time. The film was
produced to show how children with autism can learn, grow, and be productive. Viewing this
film will help families realize that they are not alone in their struggles and that their child can
experience successes.
Wiseman, N.D. (2006). Could it be autism? A parent's guide to the first signs and next steps.
New York: Broadway Books.
Could it Be Autism? A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps is a book written
by Nancy Wiseman who is the founder of First Signs, Inc. and the mother of a child with autism.
Nancy Wiseman wrote this book to help parents recognize the early signs of autism and other
developmental disorders so early interventions can begin at a young age to increase better child
outcomes. In the book, Nancy tells her personal story as a parent of a child with autism, the
stories of other families, and relates these stories to current research. The book gives steps for
parents to take if they suspect a diagnosis of autism for their child. Advice is given for getting an
evaluation and/or diagnosis, seeking the right treatments, and advocating for the child with
autism. It is a practical resource for parents to help them make decisions of what experts to seek
out and what interventions to try to help their child have the best success in life.