Day By Day: Raising The Child With Autism/Ppd

Angry. Inattentive. Hyperactive. All words used to describe symptoms of autism or pervasive developmental disorder (PPD). Day By Day profiles two families who struggle on a daily basis with the rigors of raising an autistic child. Rob & Irene's only child, 4-year-old Jessica, was deemed normal at birth but even as an infant preferred being left alone, showed no affection, and in the words of her parents "bounced off the walls." Single parent Jeanne has two daughters: 3-year-old Diana and 5-year-old Elaina. Diana has a hard time understanding why the autistic Elaina ignores her. Day By Day's two stories are divided into four parts: 1) The Disability, 2) The Symptoms, 3) Coping, and 4) Acceptance. Although aimed at parents of autistic children, we feel the program goes beyond its target ~ audience-educating the public about the realities of autism, and the incredible challenges posed to those who care for autistic children. Simple things that many parents take for granted-saying a word, making eye contact, playing with a toy for longer than a few moments-represent major achievements to the parents profiled here. Forced to cope with a situation most of us will never understand let alone experience, these parents at first did what was heartbreakingly human: they were determined to "cure" their children. Today, the parents no longer harbor illusions about curing their daughters, but they give those kids a tremendous amount of love and care every day, one day at a time. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (Available from: Guilford Press, 72 Spring St., New York, NY 10012; (800) 365-7006.)