Foreword xiii
Introduction xix
Chapter 1 I Can Do It All by Myself! 1
Bath and Shower Time 2
Eating 4
Teeth Brushing 6
Potty Training 8
Cleaning up Room 10
Getting Ready in the Morning 13
Chapter 2 Travel Time 17
Traveling 18
Airplane Rides 20
Hotel Rooms 22
Trips to Relatives 24
Long Car Trips 26
Disneyland/Disney World Theme Parks 29
Chapter 3 Friendship Factors 33
Play with Peers and Siblings 34
Play Dates 36
Board Games: Playing, Winning, and Losing 38
After-School Clubs and Extracurricular Activities 40
Chapter 4 Family Ins and Outs 43
Informing Relatives About Autism Spectrum Disorders 44
Siblings 46
When a Parent Is Away 48
Chores 50
Chapter 5 Summertime Fun 53
Summer Camp 54
Beach 56
Crafts and Outdoor Skills 58
Swimming 61
Things to Keep Them Busy 64
Chapter 6 School Days 67
Bus Rides 68
Handwriting 70
Homework #1 72
Homework #2 74
IEPs 76
Informing and Teaching Peers About Autism Spectrum Disorders 78
Lunch Time 80
Paraprofessional Dos & Don'ts 82
Reading 84
Special Interests and Downtime 87
Teaching 89
Chapter 7 Community Events and Outings 91
Grocery Shopping 92
At the Dentist's 94
Doctor's Appointments 96
Haircuts 98
Community Outings 100
Tools for Taking Your Child's Mind off Difficult Tasks 103
Waiting Rooms 106
Chapter 8 Holidaze! 109
Birthdays 110
Annual Holidays 112
Holiday Dinners 114
Chapter 9 All the Rest... 117
Support Groups 118
Visual Supports 120
Sensory Suggestions 123
10 Extra Tips 126
Final Thoughts 129
Appendix 131
Resources 145