The First Year: Autism Spectrum Disorders — A Parent Guide for Newly Diagnosed Families — Paperback

The first year after an autism diagnosis can feel like a lot to hold at once — new information, new systems to navigate, new questions without clear answers yet. The First Year: Autism Spectrum Disorders by Nancy D. Wiseman is a structured, week-by-week guide written for parents and caregivers in exactly that moment. Moving through the first 12 months day by day, week by week, and month by month, the book covers a wide range of practical concerns: understanding the diagnosis, navigating healthcare and insurance systems, working with educational services, managing daily routines, and finding the right questions to ask at each stage. Written by a parent who has been there herself — Wiseman's daughter Sarah was diagnosed with autism at age two — the guide brings both lived experience and practical structure to a time when both matter.

We carry this at EOWD for newly diagnosed families, caregivers, and the people who support them in those early months. The first year is a lot — and having a resource that walks alongside you, week by week, can make the difference between feeling lost in the system and feeling prepared to advocate within it. This book is offered as one tool for early education and family preparation, with the understanding that autism language and diagnostic terminology have continued to evolve since this guide was published in 2017. We encourage readers to pair this resource with current neuroaffirming perspectives and community voices as they develop their understanding.

This book supports caregiver education, navigation of diagnoses, early family understanding, informed advocacy, and acceptance-centered support. It does not treat autism, change behavior, guarantee progress, prevent challenges, or replace professional therapeutic, medical, or educational guidance. Diagnostic terminology and recommended practices in this book reflect the period of its publication (2017) and may not reflect current language preferences or updated clinical guidance. Individual family experiences of autism diagnosis and the first year vary widely.

One week at a time, one question at a time — explore the guide that helps families find their footing today.

Product Specs

• Author: Nancy D. Wiseman
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 368
• Publisher: Da Capo Press / Da Capo Lifelong Books
• ISBN: 978-1-600940-65-1
• Dimensions: 22.8×15.2 cm (9×6 in)
• Publication Date: March 25, 2017
• Illustrated: Yes
• Subject: Autism diagnosis navigation, caregiver education, early family support, informed advocacy, newly diagnosed resources
• Note: Diagnostic terminology and clinical language reflect the publication date; readers are encouraged to supplement with current neuroaffirming resources
• Language: English

• Brand: Da Capo Press
• Model/SKU: 9781600940651
• ISBN: 978-1-600940-65-1
• Vendor/Supplier: Books by splitShops (via Shopify Collective)