Autism Sourcebook or Yoga for Pregnancy and Mothers First Year

Autism Sourcebook: Everything You Need To Know About Diagnosis, Treatment, Coping and Healing

Author: Karen Siff Exkorn

Practical advice and information from the world's foremost experts on autism -- and a mother's own hard-won lessons from helping her son recover from the disorder

When Karen Siff Exkorn's son, Jake, was diagnosed with autism, she struggled to pull together comprehensive information about the disorder. Fortunately, she was able to educate herself quickly, and her extensive at-home treatment of her son led to his amazing full recovery. But the journey wasn't easy, and now, in The Autism Sourcebook, Siff Exkorn offers parents the wisdom she wishes she'd had at the beginning.

Recent studies show that there is a worldwide epidemic of autism. More than 1.5 million people are affected in the United States alone, with one in every 166 children diagnosed. Early detection and early intervention are two of the key factors in improving prognosis -- but too often, writes Siff Exkorn, parents get bogged down in denial or confusion about the still mysterious disorder, and are unable to take the necessary steps. Providing accessible medical information gleaned from the world's foremost experts, Siff Exkorn offers an inside look at families with children who have autism, and ties in her own firsthand experience as a parent. The author shares valuable knowledge about the following:

• What the diagnosis really means
• Understanding and accessing treatment options
• Knowing your child's rights in the school system
• Coping with common marital and familial stress
• Making the stigma of autism a thing of the past

With extensive appendices, including the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, DiagnosticCriteria for the Five Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and carefully selected lists of Internet resources, recommended readings, and top autism organizations worldwide, The Autism Sourcebook is the single most comprehensive, practical resource available to parents and loved ones of children with autism.

Interesting textbook: Visual Studio 2005 All In One Desk Reference For Dummies or Reason 4 Power

Yoga for Pregnancy and Mother's First Year

Author: Franoise Barbira Freedman

The essence of yoga is to promote balance, energy, deep breathing, and relaxation. It is the perfect exercise for pregnancy, childbirth and those first months after your baby is born. Yoga is a gentle, safe means of keeping your body toned and supple, of keeping the aches and pains of pregnancy away, of allowing energy to flow freely, of relaxing your mind and body, and of preparing you for the physical demands of childbirth -- and motherhood itself. Yoga exercises, specially adapted for practice in water, have also proved to be therapeutic and supportive, allowing you to stretch and breathe far beyond your capabilities out of the water.

World-famous lecturer and pioneer teacher of yoga in pregnancy, Francoise Barbira Freedman has taken traditional yoga postures and adapted them to suit the different stages of pregnancy. Specially designed water exercises and swimming techniques, based on yoga principles, are also included. The emphasis each time is on meeting the special demands placed upon your body with gentle postures designed to strengthen, tone, align, and relax your body. Breathing exercises help you to prepare mentally and emotionally for motherhood and to bond with your growing baby.

The chapter on your baby's birth focuses on exercises to help reduce the pain of labor, to ease the birth, and to open your pelvis in preparation for delivery. If you aim to have a waterbirth, there are unique aqua yoga exercises to help you achieve a happy and successful birth.

After your baby is born, your body can feel drained of all energy and yoga again can help you to gradually regain your physical strength and tone. There are special routines for recovering from Caesarean or episiotomy, strengthening your pelvic floor, and having your first period. Energizing postnatal water exercises help tone your body and strengthen your abdominal muscles.

You need have no experience of yoga to use this book. But if you have enjoyed yoga before, the adapted poses will help you to tailor a special yoga program for yourself during your pregnancy. Whether you can swim well or not at all, the aqua yoga exercises are safe, simple, and effective to perform.