Rating: 
Summary: Interesting BUT...
Review: Greenspan's method of Floor Time is quite interesting and certainly a nice way to relate to a normal functioning child. What is problematic is that it is a very, very weak approach for an autistic child. Following his lead is really off the mark - very likely he doesn't even know you are there. It feels like a general approach that was just hastily adapted towards autism since that's where alot of need is.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is not Junk!
Review: I don't think this book is junk at all! This program can be done at home by parents as well as by professionals. I don't need to fork out lots of money to therapists to do the program. I use his toys and natural activities that occur through out the day to apply the Floor time model. The activities in the book are wonderful for my PDD/language delayed son. He is too high functioning for ABA and I wanted to find ways I could help him. Before I read the book, I felt so helpless. Dr. Greenspan empowered me to help my child and look for hope in our situation!
Rating:
Summary: Great resource for parents and professionals
Review: I have been using sensory integration therapy, and other occupational therapy approaches, to help children with learning and behavioral problems. The book have given me great resource to give the children and their parent better and more joyful relationship. ( which is every child and parents right ) I find out that the book helps me in giving the best "soft ware programs" to children whose brain "wiring" have been improved by sensory integration therapy. I have been very concerned to see young children being given psychotropic drugs ( or being deprived of many kind of food ), so the guidlines on observing many aspects of a child's behavior before and while taking any drug or any diet is very useful. Many of my patients, are now free of drugs and troublesome diet, thanks to Dr.Greenspan !
Rating:
Summary: the best resource available for parents of special needs ch
Review: If you have a special needs child, please, please, please read this book. Greenspan's philosophy defies the tradition of standardized treatment programs and teaches parents to assess their child individually, then build on his specific strengths. His theory that constant, intensive intervention, in which the caregiver follows the child's lead and challenges him through his own emotions and desires, has revolutionized our son with PDD. This book is the only work I have found that believes parents can actually do something about developmental delays, beyond helping their child to reach a predisposed "ceiling". It also explained many of the ambiguities relating to pervasive development and sensory disorders that had baffled us (and the professionals we work with) for many months. I also recommend highly: The Out-of-Sync child by Carol Kranowitz (about sensory integration disorder) and Biological Treatments for PDD and Autism by Dr. William Shaw (an excellent resource on nutritional and vitamin issues)
Rating: 
Summary: This is junk!
Review: Less than one year ago my son was diagnosed as having PDD. I was recommended this book by the people (from the school district) that made the diagnosis. Nothing convinced me in that book. I could not believe that my son would stop flapping arms if I flapped my arms with him, and hit his, pretending that we were airplanes (this is one of the many stupid things Greenspan recommends). Then I decided to do my own research on the internet, seaching for books on PDD/Autism. I found the books that saved my son: "Let me hear your voice" and "Behavioral intervention for young children with autism", both by Catherine Maurice ("The Me Book", by I. Lovaas, is also good). I started to do Applied Behavioral Analysis with my son right away, and not let him do anything that was autistic (I would redirect him to an activity he liked, such a doing a puzzle). He started to progress fast in his overall development and his autistic tendencies started to disappear.I did the ABA therapy myself, following what I learned in those two books. Now, ten months later, my son is totally recovered from PDD/Autism. In several areas of development he is above average, and has no symptoms of autism whatsoever. Why professionals in private practice recommend Greenspan, is very easy for me to understand. It is such an easy way for them to make money! Some of them charge $100 per hour to correct the way the parents play with their children. Greenpan says exactly what those professionals want him so say: Play with your child and hire lots of therapists (give them a lot of money). If your child makes no progress, it is your fault, you are not playing well with him. Why professionals, such as the ones from the school district, who are not personally interested in your money recommends Greenspan, my guess it is because it is not their children that have such a devasting disorder.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you Dr. Greenspan for saving my child
Review: My child had severe autism and needed learning in repitition, such as that done in discrete trials and strict management of his behavior in order to progress. Trying these "sweet and nice" ways of intellectual stimulation for 4 months did not work and produced much non-compliant behavior. We quickly saw and continue to see progress with a therapy that teaches in the repetitive way he needs to be taught while keeping his behavior under control. In addition, my ABA therapists already use some of the play described in this book on play breaks as a reward for good behavior.
This book assumes that parents are neglectful and ignorant of the child having any emotional needs just because he is disabled. I am aware that my handicapped child still has emotional needs. I can play with and kiss and hug my child until the cows come home and he will be very happy in the short term but remain quite developmentally delayed and non-compliant! Behavioral interventions, such as those taught by Lovaas have made dramatic improvements in speech, behavior and toy play for my 3 year old. I'm sure he will thank me later. I recommend a good quality ABA program such as from the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) as well as strict biological interventions for your autistic child to make progress.
Rating: 
Summary: This book will not cure my child of autism
Review: My child had severe autism and needed learning in repitition, such as that done in discrete trials and strict management of his behavior in order to progress. Trying these "sweet and nice" ways of intellectual stimulation for 4 months did not work and produced much non-compliant behavior. We quickly saw and continue to see progress with a therapy that teaches in the repetitive way he needs to be taught while keeping his behavior under control. In addition, my ABA therapists already use some of the play described in this book on play breaks as a reward for good behavior.
This book assumes that parents are neglectful and ignorant of the child having any emotional needs just because he is disabled. I am aware that my handicapped child still has emotional needs. I can play with and kiss and hug my child until the cows come home and he will be very happy in the short term but remain quite developmentally delayed and non-compliant! Behavioral interventions, such as those taught by Lovaas have made dramatic improvements in speech, behavior and toy play for my 3 year old. I'm sure he will thank me later. I recommend a good quality ABA program such as from the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) as well as strict biological interventions for your autistic child to make progress.
Rating:
Summary: I wish this had been the first book I read after diagnosis.
Review: There is no book on PDD/Autism that has meant more to our daughter's life. Though Greenspan is an M.D. the writing style of this text is very readable (probably due to Wieder !) and is full of stories and examples of children who have made dramatic gains after initial developmental delays. The diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders is still very vague and leaves parents feeling unsure of what to do next. This book allowed me to explain to our therapists what kind of interventions, and what kind of childhood, I wanted for my daughter. She is making wonderful gains and I am very thankful I found this book.
Rating:
Summary: excellent resource for parents and therapists
Review: this book is easy to comprehend. the book offers insight into the 'floor time' approach to therapy and play, as well as offering helpful ideas on coping with the stresses of being a special needs parent and family.
chapters are well-defined, clear-cut and easy-to-read. a must for anyone whose child has developmental delays!
Rating:
Summary: At last, a way parents can help
Review: This hefty resource is informative, insightful and, most of all, inspirational--giving parents a way to reach children who often seem so unreachable. In addition to the very concrete instructions on how to do Floor Time, it provides a wealth of information on the emotional development and behavioral challenges of neurologically impaired children. Dr. Greenspan is well-known and well-respected in special-education circles, so if you, like me, are the kind of parent who is constantly copying passages of favorite books to give to teachers and Child Study Team members, know that the material here will get their attention. Only one quibble: How are parents with challenging children supposed to find the time to read a book as big and information-packed as this one? All the same, it's well worth the effort. Who needs sleep, anyway?
| 
