high functioning ASS - tips?

[nearlyhellokitty]

Hello ladies of mumsnet
I just got an ASS diagnosis for DS age 8.
Wondering if you have any recommendations for books/ resources for kids on the high-functioning side of ASS? i.e. very intelligent, not so good on understanding how other people function, social cues, what is acceptable behaviour etc...
Both for me and for him
Many thanks

I found Unwritten Rules of Friendship helpful. It covers a lot of social situations and different behaviour patterns that your DS may have or he may have to deal with from other children, and it has lots of practical suggestions. The chapter on the "Different Drummer" is especially relevant for a lot of children with Asperger's.

Your DS may need some more Asperger's-specific help too. Look up Carol Gray's "social stories" and "comic-book conversations".

If you can find a social/communications skills group for him that could be very helpful. I was told about this possibility by DS's school teacher, I then asked everyone I met until finally the speech and language therapist who assessed DS knew what I was talking about and referred him.

Thanks @Kleinzeit, very helpful!

The diagnosis team talked about potential centres, so I think we will look for that as well.

They also said though that they don't use the Aspergers term anymore? Just ASS. Was quite interested by that since it's used pretty frequently..I don't know if you've come across that.

I too have a high functioning AS child, also diagnosed around 6ish.

During the early phases, I tried many books, links, resourcesroups. While all were interesting and sometimes helpful, nothing ever really fitted. All too general or just not matching. What I found was talking, discussing and watching my child was the best way to help. That mixed with teachers help.

What I'm trying to say, it's very easy to say do this, or watch for that. But actually discussing with said child, listening to what they say, understanding what they are thinking, helping by devising strategies tailored for them, by letting them try and learn, adapting it all the time. Its been a number of years, I still find new things out which never occurred to me. It is still work, but I've found it really helps more than the professionals - who I mean no disrespect but are dealing in generics and a wide range.