"Autism isn't something a person has, or a 'shell' someone is trapped inside. There is no 'normal' child hidden behind the autism. . . . Autism is a way of being."-Jim Sinclair

While there is no cure for autism, there is hope.

There are no words to describe the changes in the lives of families when they learn that a child they love has been diagnosed with autism. This book was written for those families. It explains autism in simple terms, discusses the major characteristics associated with autism, and offers simple strategies for helping children with autism function in their homes, at school, and in the community.

With the help of this book, families will gain an understanding of the puzzle called autism. My Child Has Autism provides strategies for families to help their child:

• learn to be independent
• succeed in school
• build social skills
• communicate with others

While there is no cure for autism, there is certainly hope. My Child Has Autism provides strategies that are the result of Clarissa Willis' thirty years of experience working with children with autism and their families as a teacher, speech pathologist, early interventionist, and consultant.

Clarissa Willis, PhD, has worked for the past twenty years on behalf of children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. She is the author of five books, including the award-winning titles Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Inclusive Literacy Lessons for Early Childhood. Her articles on child development and early childhood special education have been published both nationally and internationally.

Preschool can be overwhelming for a child with autism. Autism affects how a child communicates, behaves, and relates to others. What do you do when a three-year-old with autism falls on the floor kicking and screaming? How do you communicate with a child who looks away and flaps his hands? What do you do with a four-year-old who watches the ceiling fan as it rotates around and around?

Who can help if you suspect a child in your class has autism? Childcare providers need to know what they can do to help children with autism reach their full potential.
Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder discusses autism in a straightforward way. It describes the major types of autism in ways that are very easy to understand. The first two chapters discuss the major characteristics associated with autism, decipher the jargon related to this disability, and help teachers understand the ways children with autism relate to the world. Other chapters focus on setting up a proactive preschool environment, helping children learn life skills, managing behavior, helping them communicate, encouraging children with autism to play, helping them to get along with others, and working with families. Each chapter contains specific strategies for the teacher to use in the classroom.

Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder will help teachers connect with all children in meaningful ways and encourage children with autism to learn and grow.