Abstract

Bringing up a child with developmental disabilities, especially autism, presents many challenges for parents, and the focus of attention is almost invariably on the child. This practical and compassionate book looks at a range of issues from the parents' point of view - from whether their child really loves them, to challenging received wisdom on matters such as sensory integration and boarding school. The author's many decades of experience of working with families provide the basis for this practical support and help in thinking about and approaching some of the most difficult and intractable issues.

One, often unvoiced, concern for parents is whether their children love or care about them. The first section of the book consists of three letters from young people to their parents, showing clearly that though they may never have been able to say so directly, they do love and appreciate their parents, and what they have done for them - a strong message for all parents in a similar situation. Clements goes on to look at how the parenting agenda changes over time, how to see beyond the diagnoses and the constant need to deal with immediate problems, to see the real people who make up the family, the impact on siblings, how to manage the system and the multiple professional agencies over long periods of time, and how to think about the offer of medication to control behaviour. An important section addresses some of the most distressing behavioural challenges: physical aggression, verbal abuse, long-term severe self-injury, property damage, and obsessions. Finally, Clements offers objective and open-minded reflections on received wisdom about two other unchallenged topics - sensory integration, and the usefulness or otherwise of boarding schools.

The book is practical, compassionate, and above all, useful. It will be of ongoing use to parents, and equally useful to professionals working with families encountering the issues covered.

John Clements is a clinical psychologist of over forty years' standing, specializing in the field of developmental disabilities. He has previously worked for the NHS and university system in the UK and jointly established the UK's first independent psychology practice specializing in issues for people with developmental disabilities. He has also worked as a behavior consultant in California, taking a particular interest in helping people with autism and their families.
Empowering, hard-hitting, honest. Letters to the Home Front offers parents bringing up children with developmental/intellectual disabilities invaluable insights, practical strategies- a wealth of information and wisdom. The author John Clements also puts forward a down to earth and realistic view of the situations many families and individuals find themselves in and with regard to accessing and receiving services from multi-disciplinary providers. Truly a book to reflect on from a multi-dimensional perspective.
Sue Telkamp, mother of a young man diagnosed with ASD
In this extremely accessible book, John Clements draws on his extensive knowledge of the problems that families of children with autism and other conditions may face, to offer much needed advice. In “user-friendly” letters, he neither preaches nor judges, but discusses in un-sensationalist terms just what those problems may involve and some of the ways that they may be tackled. His compassion and empathy are clearly evident in his approach, and, although he makes it clear that there are no magic answers, I feel sure that many families will find his words very comforting and of immense practical help.
Jane Asher, President of the National Autistic Society
John Clements has been a very popular and successful professional who has helped parents and caregivers over the past four decades to better understand and remediate behavioral challenges in children with ASD. This book presents a helpful, interesting and easy to read summary of this work. The format involving a series of letters between him and various constituents makes for fascinating reading and adds a note of reality. This is a pragmatic book that parents and professionals will enjoy reading and greatly appreciate because it fills many of the gaps in our understanding of ASD and how to work more successfully with these individuals on day-to-day concerns in the home, the classroom, and the community.
Dr Gary Mesibov, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of North Carolina