If Your Adolescent Has Autism

The authoritative guide to understanding and helping an autistic teenager. While adolescence can be a tough time for parents and their teens, autistic teenagers may face specific challenges and need targeted support from the adults in their lives. The road ahead can be difficult for parents and caregivers, too, especially because the teenage years can involve surprising changes in their child and in society's expectations of them. This concise, readable book offers the latest in evidence-based information about what happens when autism and adolescence intersect. The book covers the teen years, addressing middle school and high school, along with the transition period from high school into adulthood and, where relevant, college and employment. Among other topics, the book addresses autism and co-occurring medical and mental health conditions, social connections, puberty and hygiene, and sexuality. If Your Adolescent Has Autism will give parents and caregivers of autistic preadolescents and adolescents what they need: information and guidance presented with compassion and understanding, with an emphasis on both the strengths and the disability related to autism and their unique manifestations during this transitional period of life.