What You Can Do Right Now to Help Your Child with Autism
I’m late posting today, but to make up for it I’m offering a contenst. 
I was recently sent a copy of What You Can Do Right Now to Help Your Child With Autism by Jonathan Levy to read and review. Even though I do not have a child with autism myself, I stil took on the task of reading it and trying to get a deeper understanding of what parents with an autistic child would be struggling with.
Over all it’s a great book. Very friendly and down to earth in tone, and with lots of compassion and support. Levy has a long history working with families on how to cope and live peacefully when autism is a part of their lives. He learned his techniques at the Autism Treatment Center of America (ATCA) in Sheffield, Massachusetts. He’s went on to open his own private practise and has shown parents how to work with their children all over the world.
You can visit his website, Ten Things Autism, to learn more about Levy and his 10 simple principles in dealing with autism. But you can also win a copy of this powerful book for yourself. There are two ways you can enter to win. 1) Leave me a comment telling me why you would like to win this book. It doesn’t have to be long and personal, just a sentence or two. 2) Write about this on your own blog and link back to this post. You can do one or the other, or even both! I’ll be running this contest from now until the 31st so everyone will have time to get in. Then on September 1st I’ll choose at random one person from the comments and links to win their very own copy.
You can check out the reviews for this book at Amazon and read below what the 10 simple steps are.
1. Don’t React
How you respond to your child’s behaviors can make all the difference. Learn why most people are ineffective in discouraging their child’s ‘problem’ behaviors and how you can do it differently.
2. Make Eye Contact a Priority
Understand why eye contact is vital to your child’s development and easy steps you can take to help your child to look more.
3. Join the Stims
A different and powerful approach to your child’s self stimulating and repetitious behaviors.
4. Respond Differently to Crying
Most of us give children great reasons to cry and act unhappy. Learn to teach your child a more effective way to communicate with you and the rest of the world.
5. Give as Much Control as Possible
Most children with autism are told “No” much of the time by their parents, teachers, and family members. Make interacting with people more attractive to your child by allowing him to do more of what he wants and moving against him less.
6. Focus on Your Attitude
A hidden factor in your child’s development is how you feel as you work with her. Learn why this is the case and how to feel better, more of the time.
7. Work one-on-One in a Non-Distracting Environment
Why school isn’t the best place for your child to develop and grow. Understand the three main factors in a successful educational environment.
8. Be Dynamic with your child
Enthusiasm matters to your child’s growth. Learn the three tools you can use to demonstrate energy, excitement, and enthusiasm.
9. Go Directly for Language
There are three categories of language ability, which does your child fit into? Master techniques that will enable your child to improve her speech, whatever her current level.
10. Make Sure Food isn’t Part of the Problem
An explanation of dairy and wheat intolerances, and why sugar isn’t helping your child. Also, how to introduce new foods so he actually eats them
book, book review, autism, children, parenting, Jonathan Levy
August 17th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
I would love a chance to win a copy of this book. My son has recently (and finally!) been properly diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. We began homeschooling last November. That makes me his example, his mentor, his encourager, his support, his therapist, and his teacher, as well as his mom. It also means I need to have a game plan for how to approach areas he needs some help in. Many of the ten things intrigued me…I am especially curious about number three, join the stims. Please sign me up for the contest.
August 17th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
I would love to be signed up for this contest. I have even put it out on my blog. I have a 10yo autistic son that we homeschool, and those 10 things were very interesting. Thanks for having this contest, and giving us a try to win it.
JoAnn
August 18th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
I too would love a chance to win this book. My friend is a single mom, with 3 boys; her middle son has moderately high functioning autism. ( he has a several phrase vocab. & can take care of his own hygiene) I know she would greatly benefit from such a book, especially as she has to deal with this as a single parent. My daughters & I help out & babysit for her when ever she needs a break, but, as you know, autism affects every aspect of life for those involved. I would also like to thank you for opening up the contest.
~Red
August 19th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
I’m getting my son checked for autism soon. This was a great article. Thanks for the awesome read.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:25 am
I will certainly link this on both my sites! It is right up my alley!
http://adopttwoboys.blogspot.com
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I have two boys that I homeschool, one is five and mildly autistic. I do my own therapy with my son, as well as with a 3 yr old with mild-moderate autism, and his 8 yr old brother who has Asperger’s. Autism Treatment Center of America uses the SonRise program, and that’s what I base my therapy on in part, so I would love to have this book! It would not only help my child, but two others.
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:05 pm
My best friend is now (recently divorced) single mom of two autistic boys…4 & 5. The 5 year old is highly functioning and can communicate for the most part, though has a number of behavioral issues, the 4 year old is moderate to severe and has a very small vocabulary. Both are in all kinds of therapy and in special education classes. She is the process of finishing her education degree and obtaining double licensing in education and special education. This book would be another resource for her and her family. We are also planning a scrapbooking event to raise money for the local support group, the Johnson County Autism Support Group (Indiana).
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:04 am
[...] For parents of autistic kids I have a book give away. Just leave me a comment and you’ll be entered to win, or write about the contest on your own blog for an entry. Do both and you’ll get two entries for double chances to win this great book. [...]
August 25th, 2007 at 8:12 am
I would love to enter. Here are my two recent post on Autism.
August 25th, 2007 at 8:13 am
I would love to enter. Here are my two recent post on Autism. http://nuttynaturemama.squarespace.com/paisley-woods-homeschool/learning-about-autism-from-someone-with-autism.html & http://nuttynaturemama.squarespace.com/paisley-woods-homeschool/2007/8/23/a-little-inspiration-goes-a-long-way.html
August 25th, 2007 at 8:15 am
Okay it chopped of my comment for some reason. Maybe it will work this time. You can find them here http://nuttynaturemama.squarespace.com/paisley-woods-homeschool/
August 25th, 2007 at 11:13 am
This book sounds awesome. Our son is PDD/Autistic. We had a role reversal in the house. Jason is staying home and I am working outside the home. I’ve worked with Zac’s theropists for months and learned the little things to get Zac engaged and know how to handle him. Jason is struggling with this and is becoming disheartened. I think this book could help me learn how to teach Zac and also cope with his own inner struggle.
August 27th, 2007 at 6:46 am
[...] have children that need special care. I want to remind you of the free book I have offered called What You Can Do Right Now to Help Your Child with Autism posted at Mom Is [...]
August 30th, 2007 at 6:21 am
[...] Minor Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow, Friday the 31st, is the last day you can enter to win What You Can Do Right Now to Help Your Child with Autism. Winning is easy. Just leave a comment telling me why you would love to have that book or write [...]