It seems that nearly everyone knows a family with an autism spectrum child. Most recent figures suggest that the prevalence of all autism spectrum disorders in the United States is an astonishing 1% of the population in the United States, translating to twelve million parents and grandparents that are seeking answers. There are many books available on how to cure an autistic preschooler, but none on how to raise one to adulthood. These promised cures raise parents' hopes, but most parents will find that they are dealing with a lifelong challenge no matter what they do. Dr. Laura Hendrickson is a trained psychiatrist, biblical counselor--and the mother of an autistic child. She understands the struggles parents face as they try to communicate with their autism spectrum child and manage behavior challenges. With an approach that is grounded in a deep understanding of the challenges those caring for autism spectrum children face, Finding Your Child's Way on the Autism Spectrum gives the reader sound, practical tools for understanding how to guide an autism spectrum child to function more fully as the person God created them to be. Finding Your Child's Way on the Autism Spectrum will help the reader to understand the varying degrees of symptoms and the individuality of each child. Laura's experience with and commitment to raising her own son s one of her greatest assets in her mission to help other parents. Using her medical, parental, and theological backgrounds, she walks the reader through some very practical help and hope, regardless of where one's child may fall on the continuum. -Dr. Stuart Scott, associate professor of Biblical Counseling; director, Center for Biblical Counseling, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary “Oh, the joy when he finally got it!” Laura Hendrickson knows the challenges and victories of raising a child on the autism spectrum. She believes your child has been uniquely made by God. And rather than wishing your child could be like everyone else, you can instead begin to hope that he’ll grow up to be the adult God designed him to be, differences and all. Dr. Hendrickson discusses social skills, rituals, friends, options for education and career, managing emotions, discipline, and more. You’ll learn the importance of lavish praise and quiet correction, gentle pressure to learn, firm limits and consistency, and discipleship. And wherever your child is on the autism spectrum, whether high or low functioning, verbal or nonverbal, you’ll find helpful and hopeful information so you too can know the joy of your child “getting it” in his or her own unique way. DR. LAURA HENDRICKSON (MD, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology) was a medical doctor and board certified psychiatrist. She was a member of the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors and author of Finding Your Child's Way on the Autism Spectrum, Will Medicine Stop the Pain? and co-author of When Good Kids Make Bad Choices . She lived in Southern California with her husband, Daniel, before her passing. FINDING YOUR CHILD'S WAY ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISCOVERING UNIQUE STRENGTHS, MASTERING BEHAVIOR CHALLENGES By LAURA HENDRICKSON Moody Publishers Copyright © 2009 Laura Hendrickson All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8024-4505-6 Contents Foreword..............................................................9Chapter 1 In His Way................................................11Chapter 2 First Steps in the Way....................................21Chapter 3 Shepherding the Heart of Your Child.......................33Chapter 4 Educating the Mind of Your Child..........................45Chapter 5 Stims, Rituals, and Obsessions............................57Chapter 6 Managing Emotions.........................................67Chapter 7 The Relationship Puzzle...................................79Chapter 8 Mad Elephants and Maturity................................91Chapter 9 For This Child I Prayed...................................103Appendix A "Is My Child on the Autism Spectrum?".....................113Appendix B Selecting a Treatment Program.............................121Appendix C Eric's Valedictorian Speech...............................127Glossary of Terms.....................................................131Notes.................................................................137 Chapter One In HIS WAY "Lord, I believe that You can do anything. Please make Eric soar." I'VE LOVED THE OLD children's movie Dumbo for many years. Dumbo is a little elephant with enormous ears. In fact, his ears are so big that he trips over them all the time, producing all kinds of problems. Dumbo is mocked about his ears and snubbed when his clumsiness embarrasses the other elephants. But one day Dumbo discovers that his ears are large enough to act as wings. Upon realizing that Dumbo can fly, his only friend cries, "The very thin