OReilly Benison - The Australian Autism Handbook: the Essential Resource Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder New Ed

Everyone has worries with their children, dear.

But yours have come early.

So wrote Seana Smith at the start of the first edition of the Australian Autism Handbook, published in 2008. That much has not changed.

Much else has, howeverfor a start, Seana has moved on. When she told me that she wasnt signing up for the new edition Ill admit I was disappointedwed forged a great friendship writing the first book. After a while, however, I realised this was the natural order of things. Seanas son, Tom, is only one of her four children and these days she identifies as much as a twin mum as an autism mum. Tom, now 16, has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but he also has dreams of being a heavy metal drummer, and neither his nor his mothers life is defined by autism. It may seem unimaginable to many of you right now, but we hope you reach the same place as Tom and Seana one day.

Deciding I didnt want to rewrite the book alone, I looked for another co-author and discovered Kathryn Wicks, a senior newspaper journalist. Kathryn, whose son was one of the first beneficiaries of Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) funding, has interviewed parents across Australia, from Townsville to Perth to rural Tasmania, as well as revising the resources and schools sections. Im so grateful to have found Kathryn and particularly excited about her new chapter, which gives a voice to the dads and siblings. These are the people who often feel sidelined as their partners and mothers set about helping the child with autism with single-minded ferocity.

What else has changed, and substantially since 2008, is funding. In its first four years, the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package has helped 19,000 children gain access to early intervention. At the time of writing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is about to commence in trial format for three years. There remains hope that the full cost of early intervention might one day be covered.

Another significant change is the revision of the manual by which most children are diagnosed. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition, or DSM-5, to be released in May 2013, contains significant changes to the diagnosis of ASD and eliminates subcategories such as PDD-NOS and Aspergers syndrome. It is expected some children who previously would have been given a high-functioning diagnosis may now receive a diagnosis of social communication disorder. Only time will tell if this is a help or hindrance.

Throughout this book we explain all of these changes. You will also read stories that will make you smile, and stories that will make you cry. We all remember the day we first learnt our child had autism. At the time, we watched our dreams and hopes for his or her lifeand our own livesvanish. You may feel isolated, heartbroken and confused, but our community is a large and welcoming one. You are not alone.

This book aims to be helpful and hopeful. It is written primarily for families whose children are suspected of having an ASD, or who have recently been diagnosed. It is meant first and foremost to be practical. We hope that there is also valuable information for professionals.

In this new edition weve added a special chapter for veteran families too. There are many voices, most of whom have trodden this path before. If you are struggling with a recent diagnosis we hope their stories will lead you to believe that the future may hold more hope and happiness than you dare to contemplate right now.