Editorial Review
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s social, emotional, or behavioral development, you’re not alone. The number of children affected by autism—an umbrella term for a wide spectrum of disorders that includes “classic” autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Rett syndrome—is growing every year. Most children are not diagnosed until they start school. But developmental problems can be recognized in infants as young as four months old. Early intervention can vastly improve a child’s chances for a successful outcome and recovery. Could It Be Autism? provides vital information so you can recognize the red flags of developmental delays and begin treatment based on those first signs.
Nancy Wiseman is the founder and president of First Signs, the organization dedicated to educating parents, clinicians, and physicians on the early identification of and intervention for developmental delays. She is also the mother of a child who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, and she draws on her own experiences as well as the latest research to present real strategies. Emphasizing warning signs, she describes the most important milestones at each stage of a child’s growth, including things parents and pediatricians often overlook. She also empowers parents to act on their instincts and initial concern, rather than to “wait and see,” which is often encouraged.
The book explains the steps parents can take to confirm or rule out a developmental delay or disorder. It details various diagnoses and show how sometimes multiple diagnoses may apply. But even more valuable is the information on how to design and implement the best intervention plan based on a child’s unique developmental profile. Different treatments and therapies are outlined so parents can explore and understand what may work best for their child, based on his or her particular strengths and weaknesses.
Ultimately, Could It Be Autism? is about giving parents hope--hope that they can know one way or the other where their child is developmentally and hope that they can give their child what he or she needs to have the best life possible.
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Customer Reviews
If you even suspect autism, read this book 
2007-12-28
I wish I'd read this book a couple of years sooner.
The author emphasizes that many physicians will take a "wait and see" approach, or even fail to see developmental delays. I always assumed that the doctor would know more than me, the parent, and so we lost much valuable time in getting our daughter involved in therapy. We still don't have a proper diagnosis, as it seems we get roadblocks everytime we try to get a screening. The valuable info in this book really helped me to know the language to use when advocating for my child.
I recommend it to anyone who even suspects a developmental delay. The pediatrician is not always an expert on your child!
A Must Read 2007-01-24
Recently my son was diagnosed with PDD NOS. In the search for answers I started to educate myself by buying some books on Autism in addition to seeking out other parents/professionals who were knowledgeable about this diagnosis. Could It Be Autism is an excellent resource to read if you are a parent who questions if your son/daughter may have a diagnosis that falls on the autism spectrum. It is comprehensive in terms of offering suggestions on how to set up a treatment team for your child. It also covers the need for you to become your child's greatest advocate, how to do this, and why it is critial in terms of getting him/her the help needed. This book is more than an intellectual exercise like so many written are. It is easy to read, offers hands on practical things that you as a parent can do to help your child, and it is written from the authors heart. In it she shares a piece of her story in terms of her own child's disabilities. This book is realisic and at the same time shows you that there is hope for all children on the Autism Spectrum to do better given the right treatment program be put into place. This author walks you through the steps. Reading her book added hope back into what felt like my world of darkness and despair discovering my son's diagnosis. It also empowered me as a parent with practical steps I could take to help him get the help he needs even in the midst of still going through the grieving process. This author has a great deal of insight and valueable feedback to offer other parents who have children diagnosed on the autism spectrum. She has walked in our shoes through her daughers diagnoses and how it has changed her life too. You get the sense that she cares for the parents and children out there who are experiencing the same trials and issues. I have found there are other good books to be found on the topic of Autism. There are also very bad ones to avoid. No book can cover every topic or concern a parent may have. However, this book is A MUST READ in that it lays out the foundation and map you will need to help get on the right track in terms of helping your child recover. I highly recommend it.
The best book to read if you are wondering if your child has autism 2007-01-20
My granddaughter, now 20 months old, was found to have speech delay two months ago. While researching speech delay causes and treatment I became concerned that she might have autism spectrum disorder. My wife, daughter ,and even the speech therapist all believe that I am overly concerned. I truly hope that they are right and I am wrong,but after reading this book, I know that my granddaughter urgently needs a thorough developmental evaluation so that early intervention, if needed, can be started as soon as possible. If you have concerns that a child of yours or in your family is showing some of the signs of developmental delay, please don't just wait and hope for a change to occur.Instead, BUY THIS BOOK NOW BACAUSE IT IS THE BEST PLACE TO START. As stated in the preface, not all theories of etiology or treatment are discussed.It isn't titled "The encyclopedia of autism"It is, however,a SUPERB "Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps"for those wondering if their child is showing signs that might indicate autism.
Our family thanks you! 2006-09-01
As a mother of four children, I have learned to trust my gut feeling. Do not listen to what others tell you, but trust yourself. I always thought my children were different. They had certain characteristics that I did not see in other children their age. But even though I knew that something was not quite right, I did not research further until my pediatrician mentioned the word autism. He said that my 15 month old son was showing some "red flags" for autism. To me, that was such a scary word, a word I knew nothing about. I pictured my son growing up in his own world, sitting in a corner by himself, banging his head against a wall. That is what I thought Autism was. It was not until I read this book that everything changed.
Not only did this book make me realize that my kids did show red flags for autism, but it helped me to accept that something was not quite right with them, and that getting a diagnosis would not be the end, but a beginnning. When you know what you are dealing with, you know how to get help. This book gave me the push I needed to seek screening for my children, and thank you Nancy, because my children needed this. 3 of my 4 children have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and your book helped us not only recognize the signs, but to accept the diagnosis, and lead us on the path of what to do next.
If you have concerns about a childs development, then this is the book for you. Not only does it cover autism, but it touches on other developmental disabilities as well. The book is well written and very easy to read. It is not filled with a bunch of hard to understand medical jargon. It is clear, concise, to the point, but most of all informative. Thank you Nancy Wiseman!
A good place to start for a young child 
2006-08-02
Could it be Autism? is the only book on Autism that I have found that has addressed the signs in the early years. It is a good place to start if you have concerns about your child, however if you still have concerns after reading the book then I would deffinatly look at more comprehensive books such as the OASIS guide. As someone says she left out a lot of other good options such as OT and the gf/cf diet. It is also seemed to be geared towards the lower functioning end of Autism and does almost nothing to address those children who are on the higher functioning end of Autism.
You helped me 2006-07-09
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s social, emotional, or behavioral development, you’re not alone. The number of children affected by autism—an umbrella term for a wide spectrum of disorders that includes “classic” autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Rett syndrome—is growing every year. Most children are not diagnosed until they start school. But developmental problems can be recognized in infants as young as four months old. Early intervention can vastly improve a child’s chances for a successful outcome and recovery. Could It Be Autism? provides vital information so you can recognize the red flags of developmental delays and begin treatment based on those first signs.
Nancy Wiseman is the founder and president of First Signs, the organization dedicated to educating parents, clinicians, and physicians on the early identification of and intervention for developmental delays. She is also the mother of a child who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, and she draws on her own experiences as well as the latest research to present real strategies. Emphasizing warning signs, she describes the most important milestones at each stage of a child’s growth, including things parents and pediatricians often overlook. She also empowers parents to act on their instincts and initial concern, rather than to “wait and see,” which is often encouraged.
The book explains the steps parents can take to confirm or rule out a developmental delay or disorder. It details various diagnoses and show how sometimes multiple diagnoses may apply. But even more valuable is the information on how to design and implement the best intervention plan based on a child’s unique developmental profile. Different treatments and therapies are outlined so parents can explore and understand what may work best for their child, based on his or her particular strengths and weaknesses.
Ultimately, Could It Be Autism? is about giving parents hope--hope that they can know one way or the other where their child is developmentally and hope that they can give their child what he or she needs to have the best life possible.
A Good and Needed Book on Autism 2006-04-24
Could It Be Autism should be read by anyone concerned with a child's development. The book deftly mixes the latest information on identifying autism with the author's own compelling narrative. Nancy Wiseman is both a parent sharing her story, discussing her choices, and a professional giving sound, unbiased advice. Reading her book is like listening to an informed, sympathetic friend.
Well-written guide to early signs of autism...with one flaw 2006-03-26
I just finished this book and want to commend Nancy Wiseman for writing a book I wish I'd had more than 10 years ago, when I first suspected something was "wrong" with my son. As early as 2 months old, he was showing signs of what I have since learned were indications of hypersensitivity toward certain stimuli. He couldn't stand to be held, even as a tiny baby, and it broke my heart and scared me to death. His doctors were utterly clueless, and I essentially had to tell THEM that I was sure it was autism after more than a year of voracious research. Ms. Wiseman's book could have spared me a great deal of heartache in that regard, as she hones in on several things I noticed in my son as an infant: the lost eye contact, lack of acknowledgement from facial expressions or hearing his name called, running into the street when I screamed frantically for him to stop and come back, the severe tantrums over absolutely nothing...I could go on and on.
I said four stars, though, because it's a book written as a guide to parents and starts to go into therapies, but it stops short of being a comprehensive guide of that sort. She talks about Floor Time, the therapy created by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, which I understand is a good option for many kids, but there are so many others, and we don't hear word one about them. What about Occupational Therapy for sensory issues? ABA? The GF/CF diet? What about Incidental Teaching, the therapy my son has received for the past 8 years, which has worked wonders on his behaviors and abilities?
If Ms. Wiseman had stopped at exploring the early signs and telling parents how to get professionals to appreciate the need to act sooner, rather than later, in getting a thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis so treatment can start, rather than deciding to branch off from there and go into her daughter's therapy, I would see the book as a more balanced account for parents who are scared and overwhelmed and are desperate for validation from someone who knows exactly how it feels to be viewed as a "hysterical" parent.
Good for people who have a child with Autism 2006-03-21
I was looking for a book that would help me identify if my child might have Autism. This book did help with that but this book seems more geared to inform people with what steps to take to have their child treated.
What Every Parent Needs 2006-01-19
This book is more than just about autism. It is a clear and readable account for every parent who has wondered about developmental issues concerning their child. I highly recommend it.
