Book Review: Clarissa Willis’ My Child Has Autism
by Beth
Hearing a child has autism can be devastating for parents. After a child is diagnosed with autism, the parents are left facing something entirely new and unknown, which can be awfully scary. My Child Has Autism: What Parents Need to Know by Clarissa Willis, Ph.D., is a great introduction to the jargon of autism.
The book begins with an explanation of what autism is, and what it is not. From there the author explains the diagnostic process and autism treatments. My favorite chapter is the one that answers common questions asked by parents of children with autism. Terms, references and resources are found at the end of every chapter, which helps parents key in on issues one at a time.
I can’t say that this book will take away all the fears and worries parents will have about their newly-diagnosed child, but it sure will help parents know what questions to ask when working with doctors and therapists.