Autism and the Extended Family: A Guide for Those Outside the Immediate Family Who Know and Love Someone with Autism

Not many resources examine how autism affects grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Yet, they are all affected by this disorder, too! Follow Dr Raun Melmed, Developmental Pediatrician, and Maria Wheeler, M.Ed., as they examine the complex relationships that develop, and are changed by an autism diagnosis in the family.

Dr. Raun Melmed, medical director of the Melmed Center and a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, founded Developmental Pediatric Associates, now known as the Melmed Center in 1989. He is a co-founder and the medical director of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center. A native of South Africa, he completed his postgraduate studies in Israel, New York City and Boston. He was a fellow with Dr. Mel Levine at the Children's Hospital in Boston where he was an Instructor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Melmed is an Adjunct Senior Researcher at the Translational Genomics Institute in Phoenix. He is a member of the Society for Behavioral Pediatrics and the Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, the Ambulatory Pediatric Association and he is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is a board certified pediatrician and is also certified as a Diplomat in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. He lives in Scottsdale, AZ. Dr. Melmed has been instrumental in setting up nationally recognized physician training programs for the early identification of infants and toddlers with developmental and behavioral concerns and has authored a program geared toward the early screening of autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Melmed is the co-author of Succeeding with Difficult Children. He has published numerous articles and chapters and has presented around the world on topics related to development and learning. Dr. Melmed is a member of the board of directors of community agencies including the New Directions Institute, the Council for Jews with Special Needs. Dr. Melmed is principal investigator in numerous studies including the use of novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of ADHD and autism. He is a co-principal investigator in studies involving family linkage, proteomics and gene expression in autism. He lives in Scottsdale, AZ. Maria Wheeler, M.Ed., has spent more than 20 years in the fields of psychology and special education, with an emphasis on neurobehavioral disorders, applied behavior analysis, and specific learning disabilities. She authored the definitive guide Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism or Other Developmental Issues, as well as the staple behavior guide A Treasure Chest of Behavioral Strategies for Individuals with Autism. She lives in Amarillo, TX.