Grim Portraits Drawn in Bold Strokes | When Autism Strikes

very good | When Autism Strikes | Robert A. Catalano

books:


	• When Autism Strikes Robert A. Catalano Basic Books, 1998 - 248 pages average customer review:based on 16 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Heartwrenching

I have a son who has been diagnosed with Childhood Disintegrative Disorder And every thing that I read in this book is true.This is an awfull disorder and what makes it worse is the fact that nobody knows where it comes from and how to prevent it.Reading this book was good for me, it helped me to know that I am not alone.

Grim Portraits Drawn in Bold Strokes

It's true this book is definitely not for the weak of heart, as Dr. Catalano, father of Thomas attests. It is a book that will evoke just about every strong emotion under the sun.

The children featured in this book all suffer from varying degrees of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, or CDD. The children all reached normal developmental milestones within the first three years of their lives with the exception of one girl who began her downward developmental spiral at two. The penultimate child featured in this book was described as being developmentally delayed and did not appear to suffer from CDD so much as developmental delays. Two children appeared to have some form of psychosis. One child benefitted greatly from the anti-psychotic Largactil. The child's mother insisted on having a prescribed anti-psychotic agent for her child. Risperidol failed whereas Largactil allowed the child to function at close to age appropriate levels.

Whether or not these two children suffered from psychosis is a matter of conjecture; the bizarre ideation and equally bizarre verbalizations and seemingly disorganized thinking and inability to make contact in meaningful ways with others suggested this as a possibility. Sadly, many people with autism have been misdiagnosed with psychosis, so it is strongly urged not to jump to that conclusion. Many people with autism and not CDD often make utterances others find bizarre; in the case of people at the higher functioning end of the spectrum have provided the rationale for their statements, thus dispelling the question of psychosis.

Autism, unlike psychosis is characterized by rigid thinking and is accompanied by craving for order. People with autism tend to be highly organized, whether it is lining up like objects; sorting out objects by category or insisting that things be in a specific order. People with autism are grounded in reality, but communication is impeded to varying degrees based upon the severity of the condition.

CDD accompanied with autism is a very devastating form of autism in that the child loses acquired skills and often does not catch up. In some cases, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome is at play which includes a form of epilepsy. Theories have been expounded as to what, if any causal link exists between LKS and autism in children suffering from CDD.

Most of the children featured in this book have traveled down the LKS treatment road. LKS is given a 50% cure rate, so one can only hope the children in this book will make that recovery. Although all made great strides, at the time of the book's publication, they were still in great need of support.

Each chapter is written by a parent of a child suffering from CDD. Actually, FAMILIES suffer from CDD as it affects every member. The only thing I did not like was the heavy handed use of the word perseverate. That cost this book one star. The parent of one child said that highly damning word "was once again part of our vocabulary." In truth, it is a highly negative and destructive word that has hurt many and is best avoided. "Repetitive verbalizations / repetitive behaviors" and, in the case of topic repetition, "special interests" or "intense focus/concentration" are far better replacements; are more accurate and speak to tolerance whereas that other word simply does not.

Every personal account in this book is quite interesting; enlightening and thought provoking. The hopeful note remains throughout the book and there are some funny moments, such as when one child refused to don his "beetle" constume and dance with his fellow "beetles." One can't help but smile and wonder if perhaps he was receiving some cultural exposure to the Beatles and a spoof of the Beatles.

No doubt people will find some solace in that they are not alone; other families have and are still coping with this devastating condition. Optimism still abounds; one child, a twin with an especially severe form of CDD was enrolled in what sounded like an optimal school program where his needs were being met. Another child was followed in a diary format and one can pinpoint to the day when his transformation took place. This in turn is helpful to others so as to be hyperalert as to what to watch for.

Different approaches were used with the children from Lovaas' time tested behaviorist methods to holistic/natural alternatives. Education and hospitalization were included; knowing what resources were available in Australia and New Zealand was invaluable information.

This book seemed to serve a two-fold purpose: 1) it provided information and personal accounts of CDD and 2) it reassured families that they are not alone in coping with witnessing this devastating developmental descent in children who suffer from CDD.

for more information click here

very good

this is a great book.i have red it a few times. it is hard to find info on this disodre since it is rare. however this book helped me alot.

for more information click here

Parents tell of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

The disorder is defined and eight case studies as viewed by parents are described. In so doing, various educational and medical avenues and life-style options are identified as alternatives in the treatment.

I consider that this book is a succinct, invaluable and wide source of information that might provide a critical role in assisting parents to cope with this devastating disorder. In addition, pediatricians are provided with an insight into the plight of the families of certain of their clientele.

Congratulations to Robert Catalano on bringing together the stories from diverse families in three continents and five countries.

for more information click here

To lose a child is tragic; to lose a child who still lives is beyond comprehension. Yet this is the experience of the mothers and fathers who tell their very personal stories in this important book. Their children, born healthy and happy, lost their minds to a mysterious disorder with no known cause or cure: Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD). Also called late-onset autism, this malady differs from typical autism in that it afflicts children after one to three years of apparently normal development, and long-term deterioration may lead to even poorer behavioral and developmental functioning. How do families respond to such ever-present loss? In When Autism Strikes, the parents of eight such children from around the world present their own stories, in their own words. They describe their first suspicions, their struggles to find a cause, and the means by which they cope, day to day. Heartbreaking yet inspiring, this courageous document brings to light a scientific mystery and a human tragedy.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

hot