what is autism?

by Claire Laurent

what is autism? | help and info

help and info

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organisations

National Autistic Society
393 City Road
London EC1V 1NG
Helpline: 0845 070 4004 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)
Minicom: 0845 070 4003
Information Centre: 020 7903 3599
E-mail (helpline): autismhelpline@nas.org.uk
E-mail (information): info@nas.org.uk
Website: www.autism.org.uk
Information and advice service for all those affected by autistic spectrum disorders in the UK, including parents, other family members, carers, and people with autism or Asperger's syndrome. Services offered include a telephone helpline, information sheets and an online enquiry service. They also give people details of their nearest support group. Anyone with a more general interest in the condition, such as professional workers, students or researchers, should contact the Information Centre on the number above.

Autism Unravelled
3 Palmera Avenue
Calcot
Reading RG31 7DZ
Tel: 0118 961 5967
E-mail: bluecat@autism-unravelled.org
Website: www.autism-unravelled.org
Provides carers, individuals and professionals with easy to understand and up to date information on known, current and theoretical research into the biomedical causes and treatments of autistic spectrum disorders. Aims to simplify the biochemistry and physiology that lies behind this complex disorder.

PAPA (Parents and Professionals & Autism)
Donard House
Knockbracken Healthcare Park
Saintfield Road
Belfast BT8 8BH
Tel: 028 90 401729
E-mail: info@autismni.org
Website: www.autismni.org
PAPA is the Northern Ireland charity for autism and Asperger's syndrome, with support branches throughout Northern Ireland and Donegal. PAPA seeks to ensure that people within the Autistic Spectrum and their carers have access to appropriate services, enabling people with autism to be valued members of their community.

The Scottish Society for Autism
Alloa Business Centre
The Whins
Alloa FK10 3SA
Tel: 01259 720044
E-mail: info@autism-in-scotland.org.uk
Website: www.autism-in-scotland.org.uk
Provides care, support and life opportunities for people of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They also aim to raise public awareness about what ASD is, and how it affects the lives of individuals and families in Scotland. The website contains contact details for autism groups throughout Scotland.

websites

Aspergernauts
www.aspergernauts.co.uk
Created by Gareth Roberts this site offers a useful personal view on Aspergers and has some practical self-help tips for people with Asperger's.

Autism Resources
www.autism-resources.com
Website listing useful resources, with extensive links, book recommendations and other resources on autism and Asperger's syndrome.

Autism Independent UK
www.autismuk.com
The Autism Society exists to increase awareness of autism, together with well established and newly developed approaches in the diagnosis, assessment, education and treatment. The main goal is to improve the quality of life for persons with Autism.

Autistic Society
www.autisticsociety.org
Focuses on Autistic Spectrum Disorders and coexisting conditions, and aims to provide a supportive and friendly community for parents and families of children and adults with ASD.

O.A.S.I.S. (Online Asperger Syndrome Information & Support)
www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger
US site with a range of information for parents and teachers.

Research Autism
www.researchautism.net
Exclusively dedicated to research into interventions in autism.

UK Autism Awareness
www.autism-awareness.org.uk
A meeting point for the vast network of people concerned with autism – including parents, people with autism, professionals and the media.

Understanding autistic spectrum disorders
www.mind.org.uk/ ..
Detailed online booklet from the mental health charity Mind, which explains autistic spectrum disorders and Asperger syndrome.

reading

	The Handbook of Autism by Maureen Aarons and Tessa Gittens (Routledge, 1999) Recognised by the National Autistic Society as a text source for parents of autistic children and for all professionals involved in their education and welfare. Get this book
	Raising a Child with Autism by Shira Richman (Kingsley Publishers, 2000) Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is recognised as an effective way of helping children with autistic spectrum disorders. This book offers parents a practical and effective way to help autistic children interact more successfully with family, friends and at school. Get this book
	The Autistic Spectrum: A guide for parents and professionals by Lorna Wing (Constable and Robinson, 2003) Explains how people with autism experience the world and why they need an organized, structured environment. Ways of improving communication, developing abilities and enlarging social interaction are described, and advice is given on coping with stresses within the family. Get this book
	Caring for a Child with Autism: A Practical Guide for Parents by Martin Ives and Nell Munro (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2001) This informative handbook is written for parents with a recently diagnosed child. The authors cover a variety of therapies and approaches to autism, providing information so that families will be able to evaluate different options for themselves. Get this book
	Can I Tell You About Asperger Syndrome?: A Guide for Friends and Family by Jude Welton (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2003) Adam, a young boy with AS invites young readers to learn about AS from his perspective. He tells them what AS is, what it feels like to have AS and how they can help children with AS by understanding their differences and appreciating their many talents. Get this book
	Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence by Luke Jackson (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2002) 13-year-old Luke's main reason for writing this book was because he saw the need for a book written directly to adolescents with Asperger Syndrome. Get this book
	Dannie's Dilemma: Living with Aspergers by Carol Haldane and Karen Jones (Chipmunkapublishing, 2008) 'Dannie's Dilemmas' is a series of books designed to show the difficulties that children with Aspergers Syndrome face on a daily basis. Get this book

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