< book in hand >
Book in Hand is run by people who have family and friends on the autistic spectrum for Australian families and professionals involved with Autsim Spectrum Disorders. We aim to bring you the widest collection of material in this field and related topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Book in Hand set up as a non-profit organisation or from donations?
No. Book in Hand is an owner-operated business staffed by family and friends of people who are diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. We stock and sell nearly all the available English language books on this topic and also a good range of related titles, such as social skills training and diet.
Why is Book in Hand working in this field?
Our aim is to make autism/Asperger material accessible within Australia. So we are not secretive, nor are we restrictive as far as access to our site is concerned. We do not require that anyone open an ‘account’ to enter our catalogue, nor do we track visitors to our site. Please feel to browse or to ask questions about whether a book is suitable for your needs.
Do I have to order a book when I contact Book in Hand?
No, of course not.
Although you have come to our on-line store and can e-mail us from here, we are just as happy to talk to you. You do not have to give your name or personal details when you talk to us. Sometimes we may ask for a little information such as the age of the person with whom you are involved, their level of skill, etc. This is not intended to be intrusive but to ensure that we offer you a choice of appropriate material.
Please note, while we do try to describe each book accurately both in our catalogue and when discussing it with you, we do not give any representation or warranty as to the reliability, accuracy or completeness of information contained in any title. Research, philosophy and practice relating to this field are in the process of continual review and revision. Books and other resources represent the point of view of their creators and should be read with this in mind.
Does a proportion of each purchase find its way to autism services?
Yes, both directly and indirectly. Book in Hand is not a virtual bookstore. We are real world people giving a service in the real world.
We attend conferences and visit schools, etc. to spread the word as to the needs of the autism community. This is a costly exercise for such a small business. We do this out of our own resources, and net profit (if any) after costs is ploughed back into what we do best, that is adding more titles and taking these into the wider Australian community.
We do not direct automatic small donations from our site to specific organisations because we believe this is not the most cost effective way for us to help our fellow parents.
We try to contribute to knowledge about ASD in Australia and to services both within and outside specialist organisations, by going out into the general community and so do not hide behind an on-line presence.
Of course as individuals we are members of various associations and donate to them. We pay for advertising and access to ASD conferences and seminars. We also pay for stands at general seminars where we can display ASD materials to people who otherwise might not handle them. This is a small but ongoing contribution to the education programmes of the Autism Associations and other bodies. The money we spend in this way is certainly well in excess of spreading a small percentage of on line sales among several voluntary agencies.
Book in Hand respects your rights to privacy under the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth). Iinformation from customers is only collected so we can fill orders, accept payment, arrange delivery and sending out information about titles and other services. Currently we do not use ‘shopping basket’ technology, which requires ‘cookies’, thus further protecting your privacy. Book in Hand does not sell or rent customer lists. We do not without your prior consent disclose any personal information. Where we have acquired an address solely through conference attendance, etc., privacy legislation only allows us to use it for a single contact.