The Bottom Line
Pros
- Site is loaded with really useful hints for managing autism
- Podcasts are brief and focused
- Transcripts allow visitors to "grab" info quickly
- Includes art and music created by people on the autism spectrum
Cons
- Creator is a music therapist, not a behavior specialist
- Does not include content on treatments or research
- Does not include forums or message boards
Description
- Website featuring podcast hints and tips
- Content relates largely to life skills, quality of life, etc.
- Includes in-depth discussions of selected topics
Guide Review - Website Review: FAQAutism.com
Cathy Knoll is a music therapist with a mission: to improve the quality of daily life for people on the autism spectrum and the people who care for them. To this end, she's created a growing collection of brief and in-depth podcasts on topics, ranging from "finding enough time" to encouraging eye contact and conversation skills.Cathy is not a behavior specialist, and so many of her tips are more rooted in homespun wisdom than expert opinion. In my opinion, this is all to the good. Often, good solid common sense advice -- tailored a bit to fit the special needs of a parent of a child with autism -- is every bit as useful as "specialized" therapy. In fact, it can be much more useful, since it builds on knowledge and skills that parents already have in abundance.
For me, one of the plusses of FAQAutism.com is the brevity of its podcasts and articles. Rather than digging deeply into motivations, treatments, therapies and such, the hints and tips simply tell you how to freeze grapes as "stealth" healthy treats; teach your child to keep her hands to herself; or otherwise manage the moment with a minimum of fuss and muss.
