Bringing Up a Challenging Child at Home

Jane Gregory was 23 when she had Chrissy. Her interest in the issues surrounding Chrissy's needs led Jane to write features about her, and about other complex disabilities. Researchers at Great Ormond Street found the cause of Chrissy's condition to be genetic and she was later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Jane lives in Hampshire and is a busy freelance journalist. Her website can be visited at www.sharingstories.co.uk.

Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part One: Early Years. 1. Chrissy's birth and early development. 2. Why won't anyone tell us what's wrong? 3. Trying to cope. 4. Making contacts. 5. Beginnings and endings. 6. Struggling alone. 7. Sinking into depression. Part Two: Coming Through: Help and Recognition of Difficulties. 8. More support. 9. Outings and holidays. 10. Chrissy's uniqueness. 11. Changes for Chrissy, changes for me. 12. Two steps forward, three steps back. 13. Behaviour versus epilepsy. 14. Ups and downs. 15. In-patient assessment. 16. Making progress. 17. Adolescence and the importance of a diagnosis. 18. Deciding to let go. 19. Residential school - making a difference. 20. Making sense of the past and looking to the future. Part Three: Practical Help, Therapy and Support. 21. Treatment approaches. 22. How to help your challenging child. Further Reading. References.