LITERARY LAS VEGAS

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"As the doctor reviewed the results of our daughter's week-long testing, I began to feel the walls closing in. I couldn't focus on what she was saying. Her voice seemed so matter-of-fact when she said, "Your daughter has Asperger Syndrome," Danielle Wendel wrote in her book "Girls Under the Umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorders."

Mattison Wendel's diagnosis sent her mother scrambling for answers in a search that led to Dr. Lori Ernsperger, an autism expert with 22 years of experience working in the public schools as an administrator, teacher and consultant. The two Las Vegas Valley women worked together to write a book designed to answer questions, provide advice and share stories about girls with autism spectrum disorders and their families.

While collecting anecdotes, the authors found Amanda LaMunyon, an 11-year-old artist with an autism spectrum disorder, who created a painting for the cover of the book. Ernsperger, Wendel and LaMunyon all traveled to New York City to present the cover art at the inaugural World Autism Awareness Day at the United Nations, April 2.

Wendel and Ernsperger plan to sign copies of the book from 1 to 3 p.m. April 20 at the 10950 W. Charleston Blvd. Borders.