First the good news, then some not-so-good news, then some more good news to finish.

The autism world has changed a great deal since the first edition of the Australian Autism Handbook was published in May 2008.  Locally, we’ve had greater awareness and some long-overdue federal funding through the Helping Children with Autism package, overseas we’ve seen increased commitment to research, in particular genetic and environmental research into the causes of autism, and, of course, ever-rising prevalence—with latest figures from the US suggesting that 1 in 88 children now has an autism spectrum disorder. Next year we will have revised diagnostic criteria, when the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5) is published.

Thus we have decided that a second edition is well and truly due.  We anticipate that the new edition of the Australian Autism Handbook will be something like a bride: with something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

Old:  Me, technical information that remains current, and some of the wonderful personal stories and quotes that still resonate.

New:  My co-author, Kathryn Wicks, additional chapters on teen issues and Asperger’s syndrome, and updated information on early intervention, the DSM5 diagnostic criteria, causes and treatments.

Borrowed: The insights of many of our wonderful contributors, some of whom have already agreed to update their thoughts and experiences for the new book.

Blue:  The book’s cover, I hope! I still adore it after all these years.

The next edition is planned for April/May 2013, and will fittingly coincide with the publication of the DSM5, and the new—and controversial—diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder

To the sad news:  Seana Smith has decided she is unable to continue as co-author of the Australian Autism Handbook and is passing the baton to Kathryn Wicks.   Her reasons are mainly personal:  four children ranging from sixteen to five years in age, all with disparate needs, and a husband who works overseas half the year.  However, Seana will continue her association with the Australian Autism Handbook as a parent contributor. As her Tom is now sixteen years old, I’m betting she’ll have some interesting stories to share!

I am so grateful to Seana for the opportunity to co-author this important book and for her friendship over the years.  We will strive to maintain the warm and caring tone that was a signature of the first edition, as a tribute to her.

Now to introduce my new co-author, Kathryn:

Kathryn Wick is the mother of two boys, 11 and 6, the younger of who has high-functioning autism. Watching Darcy grow from a two-year-old who didn’t say “mum” and who didn’t want to cuddle and read,  to a five-year-old who got an “A” for reading on his kindergarten report, has made her an unashamed advocate of intensive early intervention.

Kathryn comes to us with great writing credentials, having been a Sydney Morning Herald journalist for 25 years. She is currently the deputy sports editor and has contributed many oped pieces on autism and early intervention.  She also comes with excellent autism credentials, being a trained ABA therapist.

Kathryn first read the Australian Autism Handbook when her son, Darcy, was diagnosed and already has some great ideas for the second edition. It seems we’ve come full circle!

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